Locally Delicious

Summer in the South is hot, humid and down right sticky sometimes. It is the kind of heat, that when you get out of a cool shower, you are sweating immediately. A lot of people would scoff at the notion of choosing to live in a place that gets well about 100 degrees for weeks on end. I even have to admit that the older I get, the less I can take the heat. I just keep telling myself, that people pay thousands of dollars each month to have spa treatments that are the same conditions as our natural weather patterns.

Despite all the hot temperatures, I have to say that the produce that comes out of the summer is some of my favorite. There are some theories about why things grow when they do. One such theory is that in the summer, we humans are designed to be leaner and more active. Thus we get bright and sweet fruits and veggies. While the heat can be awful, the produce is amazing.

Every Saturday morning, I get up early and head to the market downtown. It has become sort of ritualistic to our family routine. This past Saturday, I had a thank you dinner to make for my in-laws for putting us up last week while the air conditioner was broken in my house. (We have a brand new one now) My in-laws like "meat and potatoes" and do not stray too much from their comfort foods. I wanted to show them, that a local meal is delicious and easy to make. Not to be intimidated by the process, but to embrace it.

That night watching my daughter wash the veggies with her grandmother standing next to her was very special to me. In a way, Millie was showing her grandmother how easy and fun it is to be in the kitchen and really participate in the food prep process. Usually it would be the other way around. But not every grandmother is "traditional" and not every child is the student. Some happen to be teachers too.

We all sat down to dinner and enjoyed the meal. To say thank you is more than just words, it is showing someone gratitude. What better way to do this, than by sharing a meal you prepared?

Cheers!

Millie washing off carrots and potatoes grown here in Tennessee and Northern Mississippi.

I find the coolest looking veggies at the market

 

Locally made ciabatta bread, with grilled zucchini and fresh sliced tomatoes. 

 When making your dinner from any market, whether it is a chain grocery store, or from a farm stand on the highway, keep one thing in mind: Is the meal that I am preparing have the love I have for that person cooked in it? 

Yes, I encourage everyone to check out their local farm stands or start a local garden for yourself. But at the end of the day, just putting love into your meals is the best ingredient you can every use. Oh, ya and it is free! 

Enjoy the summer!