Vegetable Vittles
It's time to start thinkin' 'bout good old fall menus with all these here holidays fixin' to come up.While Granny is chasing the varmints out of the sweetshoppee,my purr-fect little friends have been busy putting the garden stuff up.We snuck in a few odds and ends,too.Join us for supper, won't you?

Corn Fritters 2

Maple - Nut Hubbard Squash 

If the vegetable grows underground,cook with lid on the pot.If it grows above the ground,leave the lid off.

Sweet Corn Cake

dates to around 1926

1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. corn flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1 c. sour cream
1/3 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, softened

In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine egg, sour cream, milk, and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened; pour into greased 8" square baking pan. Bake at 400°  for 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.

I still love this way of preparing fresh corn but if you don't have that, frozen corn, thawed, works really well.

Fried Corn

1/4 c. bacon drippings
10 ears fresh corn, cleaned and kernels cut from cob
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

In a heavy or iron skillet, heat drippings over medium heat. Add corn and cook for about five minutes, then add milk, salt and pepper. Cook stirring frequently till corn looks cooked (about 30 minutes). Remove from stove and serve.

I can't say this was ever a favorite of mine,but my dad raised the most beautiful tomatoes that Mom used in making this for him. He always had a huge garden with a separate area set aside for his hobby of experimenting with different types of tomatoes, how to improve their growth, etc. His tomatoes ruined me for life since you can't find any with such wonderful flavor in markets today.

Tomato Pudding

2 cans (28oz) crushed tomatoes with juice
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 can (6oz) tomato paste
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
pinch baking soda
3 c. toasted white bread cubes
1/2 c. butter, melted

Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 3-quart baking dish. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, sugar, paste, mustard, soda, and salt. Place bread cubes in the baking dish; drizzle with melted butter. Pour tomato mixture over bread. Refrigerate up to 4 hours, if desired. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Quick Creamy Cabbage

6 c. shredded cabbage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. water
1 3 oz. package cream cheese, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp. celery seed
A dash of pepper

Cook cabbage in salted water for about 5 minutes in a covered pan. Do not drain. Add remaining ingredients and stir until the cheese melts. Serves four.

Stuffed  Green  Peppers

4-6 med. or lg. green peppers
1 med. or lg. onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 can whole kernel corn
1 c. uncooked rice
1 tsp. salt and pepper
Dash of garlic powder


Cook uncooked rice according to package directions; set aside.  Wash and core peppers, parboil 5 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  Place peppers in a casserole dish.  Brown ground beef; drain well.  Add finely chopped onion and cook until tender.  Add tomatoes; mix well and bring to a boil.  Add seasonings and rice. Cook for 15 minutes.  Fill peppers with stuffing.

Dilute two cans of condensed tomato soup, leaving it thick. Pour over the tops of the green peppers. A couple of times during baking, baste the peppers with the sauce.
Cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Note: I personally just mix all the ingredients with the cooked rice and stuff the pepper and increase the baking time to 1 hour. It seems to let the hamburger meat pick up more flavor by not precooking it.

Corn Fritters--Old Recipe

Vegetable oil
1  c. all-purpose flour
1/2  c. milk
1  tsp. baking powder
1  tsp. salt
1  tsp.vegetable oil
2  eggs
1 can (16 oz)   whole kernel corn -- drained

Heat oil (3 to 4 inches) in Dutch oven to 375F. Mix remaining ingredients except corn with hand beater until smooth. Stir in corn. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil. Fry about 5 minutes or until deep golden brown; drain on paper towels. Serve with maple syrup if desired.

YIELD: 6 to 8 servings

Recipe By     : Betty Crocker's Old-Fashioned Cookbook

Corn Fritters 2

1 1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 tbs.vegetable oil
1 cup fresh kernel corn (or canned corn, drained)
Vegetable oil for cooking

Combine flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Blend well, then slowly add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Add the corn last, and mix it in gently.  Heat 1/2" of oil in a skillet, and using a ladle, drop batter into oil to cook. When the top is bubbly, turn over and cook the other side.
Drain on paper towels. Serve with butter and syrup, or applesauce.

Maple - Nut Hubbard Squash 

3 lbs. Hubbard squash
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c.chopped toasted pecans

Cut squash into pieces. Pare and remove seeds and fibers. Cook, covered, in boiling water until tender. Drain and mash well. Beat in butter, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with pecans.

Old  Fashioned  Fried  Corn

5 or 6 ears of corn
1 tsp. black pepper
1 c. water
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
Salt to taste (about 1 1/2 tsp.)
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. bacon drippings

Cut corn off cob, about half the thickness of the kernel, then scrape cob.
Ad salt, pepper and flour.  Mix with 1 cup water.  (If too thick, add more water as the corn cooks.)  Pour corn mixture into a hot skillet that contains the bacon drippings.  As corn cooks, add margarine or butter.  Cook on medium heat until corn bubbles, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to low.

Let cook for about 30 minutes, stirring often.  A crust will form around and on the bottom of the skillet.

1 lb. large navy beans
2 qts. water
1 large onion( chopped )
1 small bunch collards greens
1 lb. smoked ham ( cubed )
3 cloves garlic (chopped )
1 tbs.salt
1 tbs. white pepper
1 whole red pepper( hot )
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 bay leaf

In a heavy stockpot place well-washed beans ,water,and onion. Bring beans to a boil and boil for 1 hour. Remove all large stems from greens.
Wash greens thoroughly. Cut into strips,then cut strips into squares.
Add greens to beans along with ham,garlic,salt,white pepper,and whole red pepper. Stir well,adding vegetable oil and bay leaf. Cover pot and let simmer for 30 minutes until both greens and beans are tender.
Yield:6 servings.
Don't forget the Hot Pepper Vinegar to sprinkle on the beans and a good pan of corn bread .

1/2 cu. chopped onion
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. butter
5 c. crumbled cornbread
2 c. milk
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3 c. chopped, cooked yellow squash, drained
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Saute onion, pepper and celery in butter until tender.
Add to cornbread and stir well. Stir in remaining ingredients mixing well. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 8 servings.

2 c. peeled and grated zucchini or yellow squash
1 tsp. salt
2 tbs. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. flour
1 small onion, grated

Mix all ingredients well and drop by teaspoon into hot oil. Fry until golden brown.

Southern Fried Okra

1 lb. fresh okra
2 c. peanut oil*
3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 c. yellow corn meal
salt and pepper to taste
2 c. milk
2 eggs, beaten
 

Wash okra thoroughly. Remove tips and cut in small pieces. Combine beaten eggs and milk. Place okra in milk & let stand for 15 minutes. Drain okra a small portion at a time. In a large bag, combine flour, meal, salt, and pepper. Add drained okra and shake to coat well. Heat oil in a large skillet. Drop a single layer of coated okra into hot oil. Cook until browned turning only once with a spatula. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all okra is cooked. Serve while hot.

*Any oil can be used. Peanut oil doesn't burn as easily.

5 lb. fresh turnip greens with roots
1/2 lb. salt pork
6 to 8 c. water
2 tsp. bacon drippings
green onions (optional)

Pick and wash turnip greens. Tear into bite-size pieces. Peel the turnip roots and slice. Rinse salt pork and
cut into 2-inch pieces. Combine salt pork and water in a large Dutch oven; bring to boil. Cover; reduce heat and simmer 30
minutes. Add turnip greens; cover and cook 10 minutes. Add turnip roots and bacon drippings; cover and cook 15 to 20
minutes or until greens and roots are tender. Serve with green onions, if desired. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

1 bunch kale
1 bunch turnip greens
1 bunch green onions
1 garlic clove
1 bunch spinach
1 bunch collards
pinch of baking soda
1 lb. bacon, ham or salt pork
salt and pepper to taste

Parboil meat in about 3 cups water for about an hour.
Add chopped onions, garlic and seasonings. Wash greens thoroughly. Cut into small
pieces. Add to meat. Cook over moderate heat 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serves 6 to 8.

Okra Fingers

20 small fresh okra pods
1 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Pepper
Vegetable oil

Wash okra and trim stems. Drain well and place in a shallow container.
Pour buttermilk over okra, set aside.
Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and pepper, mixing well.
Remove each okra pod from buttermilk and carefully roll in the cornmeal mixture. Drop into deep hot oil (375° F). Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once. Drain on paper towels.   Makes 4 servings.

1/2 lb. bacon
2 tbs. butter
1 medium chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic
1/3 c. chicken broth
1 lb. chopped, stemmed kale
3 medium peeled, diced potatoes
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
salt and ground pepper to taste

In large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble and reserve. Save 1 tablespoon bacon
drippings in pan. Add butter and cook onion and garlic 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add chicken broth and kale.

Cook covered, 5 minutes. Stir in potatoes and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with vinegar. Add salt and
pepper. Top with crumbled bacon.

5 ears fresh corn or 1 can cream-style corn and 1 can whole kernel corn
2 tbs. flour
1/2 c. margarine
1 tbs. sugar
salt and pepper to desired
season

Preheat oven to 350 °. If using fresh corn shuck off kernels in large bowl. Melt margarine in a casserole bowl.
Meanwhile, pour whole kernels or fresh corn in a bowl. Mix with sugar, salt and pepper and flour. If using fresh corn,
pour in 1 1/2 cups of water; if using canned, add the can of cream-style and mix well. Pour corn in casserole bowl with
margarine. Cook in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. Delicious.
 

3 lb. hog jowl
1 peck turnip greens

Boil hog jowl in water to cover until tender (about 2 hours). Remove from water and keep warm. Add 1 teaspoon salt
to the water and cook the well washed turnip greens in this.
When tender, pile in center of platter, surrounded with slice of the hog jowl .

3 large ham hocks, smoked
3 or 4 smoked pig tails
1/4 c. Puritan oil
1 red pepper
1 large onion, cut up
1 lb. mustards
1 lb. turnip tops
1 lb. spinach
1 lb. kale
1 small head cabbage, cut up
salt and black pepper to taste

Wash ham hocks and pig tails and place in enough cold water to boil until tender or place in pressure cooker with 2
cups water with 10 pound pressure for 30 minutes. Pick and wash greens thoroughly. Set cabbage and spinach aside. Chop
mustards, turnips and kale; place in large pot with water, oil, onion and red pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, simmer
1 1/2 hours. Add spinach, cabbage, salt and pepper to taste.
Cook until cabbage is crisp, about 20 minutes longer.

8 medium carrots
1 tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. orange juice
2 tbs. butter or margarine

Cut carrots diagonally, about 1/ 2 thick. Cook in boiling salted water, for about 15 minutes or until carrots are tender, drain. In a small pan combine brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and salt. Add orange juice, and cook stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Boil 1 minute longer, remove from heat. Stir in butter. Pour over hot carrots, toss to
coat.
serves 6

(Kale, Turnip, Mustard, Collard and Watercress)
Cut off the big stems. Make a strong, warm salt water solution in sink and soak the greens. This will take all the
dirt and sand to the bottom. Drain this water off and rinse in clear water until no dirt or sand is seen. Drain. If you are
cooking with meat; ham hocks or ham skin, have the meat boiling while cleaning the greens. Put greens in to cook with the
meat. Salt to taste. Cook until greens are tender, about 1 1/2 hours for most greens. When done, add a pinch of sugar. (Some people prefer to add 1 teaspoon sugar per pound of greens to
the pot at the beginning of the cooking time to help the greens maintain their color.)

Some of the best greens I've ever tasted were cooked with a big chunk of salt pork :>)

Pull back the husk and remove the silk, then wrap in a wet paper towel, and it steams - you can also remove the entire husk and silk and wrap in a wet paper towel and it will steam

Or you can  loosen the husk, remove nothing, just put in with silk and everything, and the silk comes off really easy after its cooked

Note: Do check for worms FIRST LOL
 
 

Takes about one to two minutes per ear depending on size of corn

5 pounds medium size yellow squash
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. bread crumbs
2 tbs. chopped onion
4 oz. (1 stick) butter OR margarine, softened
1/4 c. sugar
salt as needed
dash pepper
nonstick vegetable spray
additional bread crumbs for topping (or crushed crackers, Ritz,my favorite)

Trim ends of squash and cut into large pieces.
Drop squash into an large saucepan with enough boiling water to cover.
Return to boil,reduce heat and cook until tender (ten minutes, at most).

Drain in a colander, then mash. In a large mixing bowl, combine squash with eggs,bread crumbs, onion, butter, sugar, salt and pepper. Turn into a 3)quart casserole which has been lightly greased or sprayed with nonstick vegetable spray.

Cover with a light layer of bread crumbs (or crushed crackers). Bake at 350° until lightly browned.

Makes 10 servings.
 

4 tbs. margarine
2 tbs. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese
1 pkg. broccoli, cooked and drained

Melt margarine in saucepan, stir in flour and salt. Add milk gradually, mixing until smooth. Cook until mixture boils,stirring constantly. Add cheese. Stir until melted. Arrange broccoli in casserole. Pour cheese sauce over and bake at 350 ° for 30 minutes.

2 pounds medium potatoes
1 quart water
4 tbs. butter
1/8 tsp. salt
generous dash of pepper
3 tbs. cornstarch
1/4 c. milk

Peel potatoes and quarter. Add water, butter, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender; remove from heat. In small bowl, mix cornstarch with milk. Pour over potatoes and stir well. Return to medium heat and cook until liquid thickens. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Makes 4-6 servings.

*Please don't write any nasty notes to me telling me how stupid I am not to call these Polk Salad recipes "Poke Sallet"  ----yes, that's happened. Depending on where you were raised,either one is right.These recipes come from fine cooks who were nice enough to share with us .I don't think it is friendly or acceptable to start changing the names of their recipes,do you?

Poke Salad Greens

tender polk salad greens
4 or 5 tbs. fat back grease or margarine
1 c. water
2 to 3 green onions

Pick tender polk salad greens. Wash and cook in water until tender, about 15 minutes. Pour off green water and wash
greens until the water is absolutely clear. Place greens in frying pan with 4 or 5 tablespoons of fat back grease or
margarine and 1 cup water. Cut up 2 or 3 green onions on polk salad. Cook or simmer until done, about 30 minutes. Serve
with fat back and corn bread.

Poke Salad and Turnip Greens

15 pieces of polk
1/4 lb. salt pork
1 tbs. sugar
2 lb. turnip greens
1 tbs. salt

Pick polk at tender age about 3 or 4 inches long. Split stalk; wash thoroughly. Then scald in hot water, let set.
Drain off water. Prepare turnip greens and parboil until almost tender, then add polk, cook until well done. Fry salt
pork in iron skillet, remove pork. Add polk and turnip greens to pork drippings. Fry until grease is absorbed and cooked in
greens. Cut up finely and serve. Sugar and salt are optional.
Serves 6 to 8 people.

1 medium cushaw, finely chopped
2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 large can crushed pineapple

Cook on low heat until cushaw is done. Place in buttered casserole; sprinkle top with brown sugar. Bake in 350° oven for about 30 minutes.

Vegetable oil - 1" depth, heated until  just before smoking
yellow squash, cut in  1/8" - 1/4" slices
1 c. buttermilk
mixture of :
1/2 yellow cornmeal
1/2 all-purpose flour
salt to taste

Soak squash in buttermilk to cover, at least 5 minutes. Dredge in cornmeal,flour, salt mixture ( I use a Ziploc baggie & shake until covered) Fry in vegetable oil until golden, turn and fry until lightly golden on other side.
Salt lightly as remove from oil & drain on paper towels  This also works for fried green tomatoes (cut green tomatoes at least 1/4" slices)
If you like fried okra - batter should be 1 cup milk + 1 egg.  Dredge in same mixture as above & salt as you do for squash & drain on paper towels.

6 ears corn
1/4 c. bacon drippings
2 tbs. flour
1 tbs. sugar
1 c. water
1/4 c. milk
salt and pepper to taste

Shuck corn. Wash and remove silk. Cut corn cobs in half. Then cut kernels off. (This is called cream-style
cutting.) Scrape juice out of corn cob into the corn. Heat dripping in large skillet. Add corn, flour, sugar, water,
milk, salt and pepper. Bring mixture to boil, stirring constantly. Cover; reduce heat and simmer until corn is tender,
about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, add a little hot water.

1 large bowl of fresh clean garden picked lettuce pieces
8 slices of bacon fried and crumbled. {more if you like}
1 small onion diced small  (we always had fresh spring onions for this)
3 tbs. vinegar  (Mom skipped the vinegar and sugar. They didn't have those luxuries when she was a little girl.)
2 tbs. water
2 tsp. sugar
 

Break lettuces into a large bowl and salt and pepper. Add remaining ingredients to bacon fat in frying pan. {use not more than 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat}
Bring this to a boil stirring constantly, pour over the lettuce, toss lightly with salad fork and spoon until the lettuce is wilted.

Serving Size  : 4

2 c. coarsely chopped green bell peppers
2 tbs.  vegetable oil
1 clove garlic -- finely minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups okra -- cut into 1/2" pieces
Salt and pepper -- to taste

Place the green bell peppers in a saucepan and add water to cover. Add salt and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute and drain.
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the garlic and onion. When the onion is wilted, add the okra. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring,10 minutes, and add the drained green peppers. Cover and cook briefly. The vegetables should be tender, but they should retain a somewhat crisp texture.

Grandma's Fried Okra and Potatoes

1 lb. fresh okra
2 large potatoes (baking type -- not new potatoes)
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
1/2 c. cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Wash okra and cut off stem ends. Cut in about 1/2-inch pieces. Peel potatoes and chop into 1/2-inch dice. Put okra and potatoes in large bowl. Add chopped onion to mixture.
Sprinkle cornmeal, salt and pepper over mixture. Stir until cornmeal is evenly distributed throughout mixture.

Heat cooking oil in large skillet over medium heat (oil should be hot, but not smoking hot). Carefully spoon okra/potato mixture into hot oil. Fry, turning mixture occasionally,until potatoes are done and mixture is nicely browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Makes enough for 4 or 5 hungry people.

Dry Butter Beans

1  pkg. dry butter beans
ham hock
salt
pepper

Soak the dry beans in a large pot overnight. If there's not time to soak overnight, then just put pkg. of beans into a large pot, cover with water, put 2 tablespoons of salt and boil for 20 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander, recover with water, add 1 1/2 tsp. of pepper and 1 tablespoon of salt, ham hock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours,till tender.

1 can yellow hominy, drained
1 can black eyed peas, drained
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, diced
1/4 c. cooking oil, optional
1/4 c. vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
 

Mix all the above ingredients together and serve hot or cold.

2 cans green beans, drained
1 c. cooked diced ham
2 tbs. flour
2 tbs. Crisco
Dash of salt and pepper
1 cup milk

Mix together beans and ham in a casserole dish and set aside. In a small saucepan, melt Crisco and add flour, salt and pepper, stirring constantly. Add milk slowly and stir until mixture thickens.
Pour sauce over beans and ham and mix well. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake in 350 ° oven for 45 minutes.

4 medium-sized acorn squash
16 tsp. honey
8 tbs .butter or margarine
fresh ground pepper to season

Slice the squash in half crosswise and scoop out the pulp and seeds. Trim the bottoms, if necessary, so that the squash will stand hollow side up.
Place 2 teaspoons honey in the hollow of each squash, then add 1 tablespoo butter or margarine to each and a twist or two of fresh ground pepper.
Place squash in a large, shallow baking pan and bake, uncovered, in a moderate oven, 350 °, for about 2 1/2 hours or until the squash are tender.
 by Darren King

acorn squash
applesauce
cinnamon

Cut acorn squash iin half.  Scoop out seeds. Fill the center with applesauce an cinnamon to taste.  Place squash in a large, shallow baking pan and bake,uncovered, in a moderate oven, 350 °, for about 2 1/2 hours or until the squash are tender.

Tastes like a dessert
Mags

Green Tomato Slices
 

4  green tomatoes -- thickly sliced
1/2 c. yellow cornmeal
1/4 tsp.salt
ground black pepper
1/3 c. bacon drippings, oil, or shortening

Dip the tomato slices in the cornmeal mixed with the salt and pepper.
Heat the bacon drippings, oil, or shortening in a heavy skillet and saute the slices in it quickly until browned on both sides.

2  pounds  green beans
1  ham hock
2  tsp.  salt
1   small  hot pepper

Wash the beans; cut off the ends and snap beans in two. Place the ham hock in a large kettle; cover with water and boil 15  minutes. Add beans, salt, and hot pepper and more water almost to cover the  beans. Bring to a boil; cover and boil 40 minutes. Add more water if necessary.  Turn off heat and let rest several hours. Simmer 35 minutes longer before serving. Serve beans with pieces of ham  from hock.

Mom wouldn't have dreamed of cooking her green beans with anything other than a big slab of salt pork, it's still my favorite way, also. She had her own procedure for cooking the beans. First, she would place the salt pork on the bottom, then the snapped green beans with the strings removed, and then barely covered the green beans. When the first water cooked down, and the salt pork started to sizzle, add water to barely cover the beans again. Simmer until the beans are as dry as possible, shaking the pan the last few minutes to rid the beans of any extra liquid. Those were fine green beans !!!

Serving Size  : 4

2 pounds turnip greens
2 pounds mustard greens
2 1/2 quarts water
1 onion -- quartered
1 pound salt pork -- cubed
Salt and pepper -- to taste

DUMPLINGS

2 tsp.sugar
1 1/2 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 c. boiling water -- approximately

Tear off and discard any tough stems from the greens. If the greens are freshly picked and young, this may not be necessary. In any event, wash the greens in several changes of cold water; drain.

Bring the 2 1/2 quarts of water to a boil in a large kettle and add the onion and salt pork. Simmer 30 minutes and add the greens; salt and pepper to taste. Add 1 teaspoon of the sugar and simmer about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, combine the cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and the remaining sugar in a mixing bowl. Slowly add the boiling water, stirring. Add just enough water to make a stiff, manageable mixture.

Wet the palms of the hands; break off bits of cornmeal dough the size of walnuts and shape into balls. Drop the balls into the boiling greens. Cover and continue cooking 30 minutes.
 

Serving Size  : 4

2 pounds tender mustard greens
1 ham hock or 1/3 pound salt pork
1 onion -- chopped
2 c. water -- approximately
Salt to taste
1 tsp.sugar -- optional

Wash the mustard greens in several changes of water. If there are tough stems, break them off and discard.
Place the greens in a kettle and add the ham hock or salt pork. Add the onion, water, and salt. There should be enough water barely to cover the greens. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 hours.

When ready to serve, drain and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Toss and serve hot. Many people enjoy mustard greens sprinkled lightly with vinegar.

Serving Size  : 6

5 c. sliced yellow squash
1 large onion -- finely choppe
2 eggs -- lightly beaten
1/2 c. milk
2 tbs. butter or margarine
Salt and pepper -- to taste
1/2  c. shredded Cheddar cheese
boiling salted water
 

Preheat the oven to 350 °.
Place the squash and onion in a saucepan and add the water to a depth of 1/2-inch. Cover and cook, stirring several times, until squash is just tender. Drain well and mash with a potato masher.
Stir in the eggs, milk, butter, salt, and pepper and pour into a greased
baking dish. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake until set, about 25 minutes.

Smothered Okra

Serving Size  : 4

2 c. coarsely chopped green bell peppers
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1 clove garlic -- finely minced
1/2  c.chopped onion
3 c. okra -- cut into 1/2" pieces
salt and pepper -- to taste

Place the green bell peppers in a saucepan and add water to cover. Add salt and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute and drain.
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the garlic and onion. When the onion is wilted, add the okra. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring,10 minutes, and add the drained green peppers. Cover and cook briefly. The vegetables should be tender, but they should retain a somewhat crisp texture.

Batter Fried Vegetables

3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. water
1 egg, slightly beaten
4 c. cut up vegetables such as:  zucchini, carrots, onions, peppers, mushrooms, or green beans

Mix dry ingredients. Stir in egg and water until smooth.  Dip vegetables few at a time into batter and carefully add to hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towel.

Sour Cream Cucumbers
 

3 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 c. sour cream (see low-fat note below)
1/2 c. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
dash black pepper

Layer cucumbers and onion slices,separated into rings, alternately in a salad bowl (glass is best). Combine sour cream,vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir until blended and smooth. Pour over cucumbers and onion rings. Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight, tossing once or twice.
Serves 4-6.
 
 

Cukes and Onions

1 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
4 c. sliced cucumbers
1 small onion (sliced thinly)

In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt. Add cucumbers and onions; stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Yield: 6-8 servings.
 

Preheat oven to 425° F. If some pieces of parsnips and carrots are thick, cut lengthwise in half or into quarters. Toss vegetables in 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly-roll pan with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roast vegetables 45 minutes or until tender and browned, tossing vegetables halfway through roasting time.

Yield: 10 servings
 

Cauliflower Casserole

1 c. cooked brown rice
some chopped onions (to taste)
some fresh mushrooms
1 garlic clove minced
Butter  unsalted
1 package frozen cauliflower  or about 1/2 of a fresh large head
1/4 tsp. basil
salt and white pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. sharp grated cheddar cheese
minced parsley

Saute the onions, mushrooms and garlic in butter until tender but not soft.Add to rice. Thaw cauliflower if using frozen.  If using fresh, blanch for about 2 minutes. Drain well. Add to rice Add basil, salt and white pepper to taste.
Add lemon juice.  Stir in most of the cheese leaving a little to sprinkle over the top.  Bake 350°  : uncovered until cheese melts and is lightly browned.Sprinkle with a little finely minced parsley. Serves 4
 
 

Creamed Turnips

 4 large fresh turnips
 4 oz. slivered almonds
 1 tsp. sugar
 1/2 c. margarine
 salt & pepper to taste
 cooking spray
 

Peel & slice turnips. Cover with water & boil until tender.  Drain & mash. Add margarine, sugar, salt & pepper, & mix until smooth & creamy.   Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour turnip mixture into casserole.Top with slivered almonds. Bake @ 350°  for 20 minutes.
 

Stewed Dried Corn
 

This recipe is for stewed corn, but it can also be baked or creamed.

2 c. dried sweet corn
3 to 4 cups boiling water
1 tbs. sugar
2 tbs. unsalted butter, or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup milk (use evaporated for a richer flavor)

Place corn in large saucepan. Add boiling water and soak approximately 1 hour. Add sugar, butter salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer approximately 30 minutes. Add milk and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Reheats very well.
 

Corn Fritters

1 1/2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 c. cooked corn
2 eggs, beaten
6 tbs. melted butter

Sift together the dry ingredients, add the beaten eggs with milk. Mix thoroughly. Add melted butter and corn, and mix. Drop by tablespoonfuls on slightly greased hot griddle. Brown on each side.

Carrot Fritters

1 lb peeled and chopped carrots
1/4 c. onion chopped fine
1/2 c. water
2 eggs
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. paprika
2 tbs. chopped parsley (make it 1 Tbs. if you're using dry parsley)
salad oil
prepared mustard for dipping if desired.

In a saucepan, combine carrots with onion and water. Bring to a boil, simmer covered until carrots are tender. Drain liquid into a measuring cup. Measure 1/2 cups of that liquid into a small bowl. Separate eggs. Set aside the whites in another small bowl. Add the yolks to the reserved liquid and mix. Add flour, salt and paprika and beat until smooth.

Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. At this point you should have 3 different mixtures.
(1) is the carrots and onions
(2) is the egg yolks and simmering liquid
(3) is the egg whites stiffly beaten

Fold 1 and 2 into 3. Add the parsley.

Heat some oil for frying in a griddle or skillet. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonful and fry until golden brown, both sides.
 

Tomato Pie

 1 frozen 9 inch pastry shell
 4 medium sized ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick
 1/4 c. chopped chives or scallion stalks
 1 tsp. chopped fresh basil (or 1/4 tsp. dried basil, crumbled)
 1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
 1 c. grated Swiss cheese
 1/4 c. mayonnaise

Preheat over to 425°F. Bake pastry shell for 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce heat to 400 ° F. Cut tomato slices in half and place them on bottom of shell. Sprinkle them with the chives or scallions, basil, salt, and pepper. Combine cheese and mayonnaise and carefully spread mixture evenly over tomatoes, making sure it reaches the edges of the pie crust and seals in the tomatoes completely. Bake pie 35 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Allow it to sit outside the over 5 or 10 minutes before serving.

Note: This is a lovely dish. It is most enjoyable as a summer luncheon, when ripe tomatoes come right from the vine. Its success is uncertain when it is prepared with out-of-season tomatoes.

Hoppin' John

6 slices bacon
2 c. water
1 lb. black eyed peas.
1 c. rice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Drain water from black eyed peas if soaked. Put pot over fire, add 2 c. water and boil. While that's working, fry up bacon nice and crisp. Add beans and rice to water along with salt, pepper and a couple tablespoons of the bacon drippings. Bring to boil again, then move pot away from fire till it is just a simmer. Put the lid on and cook 20-35 minutes until rice is done and water all absorbed. Crumble up bacon and stir in, and eat.

Cabbage Fries

1 cabbage
oil or lard for frying
salt
sugar if available

Peel cabbage leaf by leaf and cut out center stems. Roll up tight as if making cigars, and cut across into shreds as thin as possible. Heat oil to as close to 350 ° as you can get, and toss in a handful of cabbage shreds loosely so they don’t stick together. Cook just a few seconds until cabbage shreds are crisp, scoop out to drain. Repeat until
cabbage is all cooked. Sprinkle with salt and sugar and eat hot.
 

Greens and Gravy

1/2 c. oil, lard or clean bacon grease
1/2 c. flour
2 medium onions sliced thin
1 stalk celery, chopped small
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 to 1/2 red (cayenne) pepper
4 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
2 quarts chicken stock,  cheap white wine or good water
4 smoked ham hocks
2 bunches each: collard and mustard greens
1 add. cup water

Get good sized (about 8 quart) pot medium hot. Put in grease and flour and stir till smooth; cook till light brown, about 8 minutes. Add onions, celery, salt, pepper, bay leaves, garlic, stock and ham hocks. Raise heat to boil; lower heat to simmer and cook, uncovered, 2 hours or so, until hocks are tender. While that is cooking go through the greens:
wash off dirt and sand in good water, throw out wilted leaves, and cut stems out as they are tough and will not cook. When hocks are done add the cleaned greens about a handful at a time. Add the cup of water and stir all up. Cook till greens are tender and gravy is thick, about 4 minutes. Take out bay leaves and eat.
 

Bacon Dressing for Lettuce

Fry up bacon until crisp; let cool and crumble up fine. While bacon is cooking wash lettuce in good water and take out any tough stems or parts that bugs have gnawed on. Tear leaves and put in bowl with choppe cucumber and crumbled bacon. While bacon drippings are still hot, add onions and shake a little, then stir in vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Boil and stir for about a minute, then pour over greens and stir. Eat right away
 

Artificial Oysters

2 eggs
3/4 c. flour
pinch of salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of whole kernel corn (about 2 ears fresh corn, boiled and kernels scraped off)
Grease for frying

Beat the eggs and add flour, mix until combined. Add seasoning and corn,mix together. Make the mixture into little balls and then flatten into small pancakes. Heat some oil in a fry pan (bacon grease adds a better flavor to this) and fry until slightly brown on both sides. Makes about six.

Scalloped Tomatoes

2 c. cooked tomatoes, mixed with 1 tbs. sugar
1 - 2 tbs. butter, cut up
1 cup soft bread cubes
salt & pepper to taste
buttered bread crumbs

Grease baking dish. Put in about 1/3 of the tomatoes, dot with part of the butter, and put in half of the bread cubes. Repeat twice, putting buttered crumbs on top of the last layer. Bake uncovered at 350 °for approximately 30 minutes.
 

Civil War Recipe

Hashed Potatoes

1 quart potatoes
Piece of butter half the size of an egg
1/2 teacup water (about 1/4 c.)
1/2 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
Sweet cream (optional)

Peel and hash [grate] fine uncooked potatoes. To each quart allow a piece of butter, half as large as a common sized egg; a half teacup of water, a half teaspoon of salt, a dust of pepper only, if any; it can be added much easier than taken out. Put water, butter, salt and pepper in the spider [frying pan] until it becomes hot; then stir in the potatoes, let them cook slowly so as not to burn. Stir often but do not mash them. Sweet cream can be added, if desired, when taken from the fire.

This is nice for breakfast.
 

Fried Zucchini Sticks

1 1/3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tbs. oil
2 beaten egg yolks
3/4 c. flat beer
2 egg whites
zucchini
cooking oil

Put flour, salt, pepper, oil and egg yolks in a bowl and blend well.
Add beer gradually stirring.
Allow batter to rest covered and refrigerated for 3 to 12 hours.
Just before using, beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter.
Slice zucchini into 1/2 inch slices, dry well. Dip in batter.
Fry in cooking oil 365° until golden brown. Serve at once.
 

Southern Greens

Greens boiled with pork have been part of the southern table since the beginning. (Now don't go askin' me the beginnin' of what).Some of the flavorful cooking liquid, called pot likker, is spooned over the greens before serving.This old gal likes it over her cornbread.

8 c. water
1 pound boned smoked pork shoulder, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

3 pounds greens (such as collard, mustard, turnip or kale, or a combination),stemmed

Combine water and smoked pork in heavy large pot. Cover and simmer 1
hour. Season cooking liquid with salt and pepper.

Bring liquid to boil. Add greens and cook over high heat until just tender,about 12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer greens and pork to platter.
Moisten greens with 1/4 cup cooking liquid.

12 Servings
 

Special Turnips

People who don't like turnips like these.
 

8 to 10 white turnips, peeled and sliced
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper
buttered bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 °.  In a large pot, cook the turnips in boiling salted water for 15 - 20 minutes, until very tender.  Drain and mash (about 6 cups).

Beat in the softened cream cheese, sugar, and butter.  Season to taste with salt and pepper and mix well.  Pour into a greased casserole and top with the bread crumbs.  Bake until bubbly hot and lightly browned, approximately 15 - 20 minutes.
 

Poke Salad

Serves 6

3 lb. poke salad; fresh  (at home we called it "poke")
1 med. onion; diced
1 tbs. baking soda
1/2 c. bacon fat
3 eggs

Note: Polk Salad is a spinach type vegetable that grows wild in the woods.
Dissolve the baking soda into a pot of boiling water.
Add Polk salad and cook for 3 minutes.
Drain and discard the water.
In a FRESH pot of boiling water, cook the Polk salad until it is limp and looks like cooked spinach.
Heat the bacon fat in a skillet, add onions, the Polk salad, and the eggs, and sauté until eggs are done.

Poke always returns in the same places yearly,so as a little girl,I'd keep my eyes on the sites until the aspragus- looking shoots would start breaking through the ground. When they were large enough,I'd go get a brown paper "poke", a sharp knife and cut a "mess" to surprise Mom.

Green Peas

 Serves 4

 2 lbs. green peas

When shopping, look for plump, tender, bright green pods.
 

To Prepare: Wash and shell peas just before cooking.
To Boil: Heat 1 inch water (salted, if desired) to boiling.
Add peas.
Heat to boiling; reduce heat.
Boil uncovered 5 minutes.
Cover and boil 3 to 7 minutes longer or until just tender.
If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon sugar and a few pea pods or lettuce leaf
to boiling water for added flavor.
To Steam: Place steamer basket in 1/2 inch water (water should not
touch bottom of basket).
Place peas in basket.
Cover tightly and heat to boiling; reduce heat.
Steam 10 to 12 minutes or until tender.
To Microwave: Place peas and 1/4 cup water in 1 quart microwavable casserole.
Cover tightly and microwave on high 9 to 11 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes, until tender.
Let stand covered 1 minute; drain.

2 pounds yield 4 servings; 40 calories per serving.

Some people would insist this recipe be considered bread. In the mountains,it was treated as a vegetable,often served with pinto beans. 

Sweet Corn Cakes

1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tbs. sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 c. creamed corn, or canned
2 tbs. vegetable oil
about 1/2 c. milk
 

Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl. Mix the egg, corn, and oil in another bowl. Combine the 2 mixtures and then add enough milk to make a thin batter. Heat a griddle, grease it,and ladle out about 1/4 c. of batter for each cake. Cook until the bubbles on top burst, taking a peek from time to time to make sure the bottom isn't getting too dark. Turn and cook until golden on the other side. Makes 10 to 12 cakes.
 

Skillet Ranch Vegetables

1 tbs.cooking oil
1 envelope (.4 ounce) buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
2 medium yellow squash, sliced
2 medium zucchini, sliced

In a skillet, combine the oil and salad dressing mix. Add carrots; cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until crisp tender. Add squash and zucchini; cook 4-5 minutes longer or until all vegetables are tender. Remove with a slotted spoon to serving dish.
 

Now this is real food!

Country Style Collard Greens

 1 gallon water
 1/2 pound smoked pork neck bones
 5 pounds collard greens
 2 tbs. salt
 
 

Combine water and neck bones in large dutch oven. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 min. Stirring occasionally. Remove and discard stems from collard greens.Coarsely chop leaves. Add greens and salt, to pork broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours or until tender.
Serve with hot peppers in vinegar

Note:I like some of the more tender stems mixed in with my greens.

Mushrooms

1  tbs. butter
12  oz. fresh mushrooms
2  cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp.salt

Cut the mushrooms into quarters and place them in a medium sauce pan. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer covered for 15 - 20 minutes or until tender.
 

Sunshine Carrots

5 medium carrots
1 tbs. sugar
1 tsp. corn starch
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp.ginger
1/4 c. orange juice
2 tbs. butter or margarine

Cut carrots into julienne strips. Cover and cook in boiling salted water until just tender. Combine next four ingredients in small sauce pan. Add orange juice, cook stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Boil 1 min. stir in butter.Pour over hot carrots to coat evenly.
 
 

Corn Bread Salad

 This is actually very good!

1  9" pan of cornbread, cooked, cooled and crumbled
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1/2 medium purple onion, chopped
1 tomato, diced
1/2 rib celery, diced
1 c. reduced fat mayonnaise

Mix all ingredients and put in large salad bowl.  Cover with lid or plastic wrap. This salad keeps for several days in the refrigeration.  It is even better after 2 days.  Serves 8-10.
 

Fried Grits

2 c. grits , cooked
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 tsp. pe