A Kansan in the Kitchen!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

So, how is your garden doing? We have had lots of rain, some good hot days, warm nights. By now, we are seeing lots of cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, etc. Within a short time, we will be scratching our heads, wondering what we are to do with our bumper crops! It is the same every year. Zucchini is particuarly abundant as the summer goes on. We fix it every way we can think of, and still there is more.
Here is a salad you might enjoy, it was one of Arch's favorites. He loved cucumbers! Arch has been on my mind a lot; we were married 12 years ago today, on July 11th.

Cucumber Hazelnut Salad
2 large cucumbers, seeded and diced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced, separated
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 large carrot, grated
1 large avocado, diced
1 cup unflavored yogurt
3 ounces crumbled blue cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash Tabasco
1/2 cup roasted and chopped hazelnuts

Mix all vegetables together in a large bowl. Combine yogurt, cheese, salt and pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Toss with vegetables and garnish with roasted hazelnuts.

Did your Mom or Grandmother ever make Chow-Chow? It is a very old recipe, one for canning so you can enjoy your homegrown vegetables into the winter months. The vegetables need to be chopped, the size of the chop is up to you.

Chow-Chow

3 tablespoons pickling spice
2 tablespoons salt
4 cups water
4 medium red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
2 cups chopped onions
1 small cabbage, chopped
2 cups chopped green tomatoes
2 cups vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 jalapeno pepper, or more if you like it HOT!

Place water in pot with pickling spice and salt. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for 10 minutes. In a large pot, mix the remaining ingredients. Pour the spiced water through a strainer into the pot with the vegetables, vinegar, sugar, and hot pepper. Cook slowly for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring often. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Store in sterile half-pint jars or refrigerate.
This is so good on a grilled hot dog! Not bad on beans! And delicious on a burger! Then this winter, fix a pot of Ham and Beans.

Do you have Sunday, July 18th circled on your calendar? That is the day Vicki Johnston's new paintings go on display at Molly's Table in Paola, Kansas, just 20 miles south of Kansas City.