An Explosion of Produce
+ A Bounty of Jars = Jars of Stuff
My kitchen looks like a produce bomb exploded!
Bags of peppers, green tomatoes, red bell peppers, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, boxes of Certo, lots of sugar, celery seed, dill seed (hard to find!), for crying out loud - a 10 pound box of okra, (who knew everyone had enough okra from LAST YEAR, they didn’t grow any this year???)
I need to make my sweet hot pickles, chow chow, pickled okra, et al. Thank the good Lord through the generosity of church members, I have jars out the wazoo!
I feel possessed because what started all this canning/pickling frenzy is when my hilarious friend Kathy brings me peppers and stuff, and asks, can you do something with this? Well, yeah!
You see, the only garden item I ever successfully grew was yellow squash. It was prolific. Overwhelming. Overly abundant. My darling neighbor Betty would come over, and ask, Ann, do you mind if I have some of your squash?? I was RELIEVED! PLEASE, help yourself to some squash! You and your sweet husband Ray have your very own squash festival! We would wave at each other during our respective squash harvests, she was the dearest of neighbors!
I digress, as usual. Back to the produce production—I think of myself sometimes as the squirrel who is storing up nuts for the winter. I need those various jars of goodies and goodness for future endeavors. Never know when you need a gift, a homemade gift, a food gift, or getting ready for the hunting camp, appetizers for those lovely men who visit us each year, always with amazing appetites! So here I go into this weekend, storing up goodies for the winter!
I did manage to take a small break and indulge in maple glazed salmon for a bit of lunch. Defrosted two servings of beautiful salmon, and pan sautéed, then finished in the oven, those lovely filets. Gave me a boost of flavor, protein, and deliciousness! I have enough left over for a fabulous salad, and I so look forward to that. Please use only real maple syrup, all the difference in the world! A little lemon juice and a sprinkle of minced rosemary never hurt either!
I have run into my down the road neighbor and friend of some 30 plus years at the same grocery and big box stores over the last several days. We run in the same retail circles! He apparently loves to cook, and has shared his shrimp connection, Gulf shrimp no less, and I assured him he was in line for a jar of chow chow for said recipe.
It’s fun to share cooking tips and ideas with friends, I hope to have him and some other neighbors for a little taste test of new recipes. AND speaking of seafood, y’all know I’m overly fond of Old Bay seasoning. Has to be the real deal, and nothing else will suffice. Who knew the local market only has 2 ounce containers?!?!?!? That’s one serving! I’m indignant! I looked at the seafood guy who, by the way, has the patience of a saint, and said, REALLY???? This is it???? God bless his sweet heart, he only knows me as the Cooking Lady, and he goes, “Yes, ma’am, that’s it, Cooking Lady.”
Lord alive, what has happened to our supply train!!!!! I find that I buy in multiples here lately because who knows when you might find a particular needed item again. Kinda reminds me of when I saw my neighbor yet again in the big box store, and he held up a jar of olive salad, do you have this?? Yes, three jars in the pantry, it’s so delicious. Kinda makes you want to run out and make a muffelata!
Hope your summer days and nights are lovely, you are enjoying fresh and delicious dishes, trying some experimentations, and being grateful for the bounty that is offered in your communities. God’s peace and tender mercies, I remain, as always, your……
Cooking Lady
XOXO
PS—always try to do a little something that touches your heart.
I spied this incredibly beautiful little vase yesterday on my journey for signing papers for different events and programs for the hunting camp. A particular little gift shop has been around for years, thankfully, in this lovely little town and how nice to come upon this exquisite little vase in my favorite color of green. Made me think of my mother, we both loved the color green so much, that mossy, limey green that goes with everything. I’m gonna cut some ferns, they may not last a day, but Mama will be with me, and I’ll love the journey. Have a wonderful weekend, laugh out loud, share a dish or two, have something delicious and enjoy an incredible adult beverage. In moderation, of course! Au revoir! Adios!
RECIPES
