Thursday, July 15, 2010

Finally… eggplants and okra!

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In this crazy heat, these are probably the last of the peas we’ll get. These southern peas stand up to the heat better than your regular garden variety green pea. The beans around here have been long gone. I’m trying to talk the hubs into tilling that part of the garden under this weekend. We’ll be planting our fall garden in a few more weeks.

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On a happier note, I picked my first Cherokee Purple and Yellow Jubilee tomatoes this morning. Beautiful!

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I think a roasted chicken is in order for dinner tonight…

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Smeared with olive oil, garlic, dried herbs, and coarse sea salt. I roast the organ meats right alongside the chicken (it helps to leave them in the cavity so they won’t be overcooked), and I slip them into casseroles with the leftover chicken. They're good for you. And this is pretty much the only way I can get my family to eat them.

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This makes me happy.

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Check out this gorgeous Brandywine tomato… and there’s a Yellow Jubilee hiding beneath it.

There are also chili peppers, Cajun bells, and red bell peppers in there.

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I don’t fry very often (no more than a few times per year actually – makes too big a mess and we prefer healthier ways to cook), but the first okra and eggplant of the season insist upon it.

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And fried green tomatoes. Sigh. Cooking doesn’t get any more southern than this, folks.

I slice and soak my veggies in buttermilk for about five minutes, and bread them with cornmeal seasoned with a little salt and pepper.

So delicious!

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Some steamed yellow squash thrown in for good measure…

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And a succulent roasted chicken.

Life is good, people!

7 comments:

The Mac's House said...

Now this just made me want to pull up a chair and sit down for super with you all.

Last night we indulged ourselves in a tomato/cucumber salad with italian dressing. I opted for red onions with mine but my daughter told me no thank you on hers. :)

I'm having eggplant lasagna tonight.....

That all looks so yummy......

Rhetta @ On Raspberry Hill said...

Such a beautiful harvest, and your meal looks absolutely divine. Fried okra, eggplant, green tomatoes--oh my. You don't have to be from the South to love that!

Melissa Price said...

Teri, you just come right over! I'll have an extra place set at the table for you. : ) And I LOVE tomato cucumber salad... I put corn and onions in mine, with just a touch of mayo, salt, and black pepper. I'm gonna have to make some now! And eggplant lasagna sounds good, too.

Rhetta, it was SO delicious... we don't eat that way often, but when we do, we do it up right! : )

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Oh Melissa you've made me hungry again and it's bedtime! Your garden has sure done well...that's quite the harvest you've got there. That chicken looks delicious and with the veggies from your garden..mmmmmm I bet it smelled and tasted delicious. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Maura :)

Unknown said...

oh my, melissa this is all so yummy. If only I lived in the same country as you, I'd pop on over for a delicious meal.
I miss fresh tomatoes so much this time of year in the middle of winter.

Berit said...

Delicious! I love fried green tomatoes. :D

Diane@Peaceful Acres said...

I'll be right over Melissa!!!!