Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Meat

Our garden is so overgrown, it’s quite embarrassing. It looks as though it hasn't been maintained for months, and it has.  But, underneath the crowded jungle of green leaves, I recently discovered two massive zucchinis. For whatever reason, every summer we grow JUMBO zucchinis—the kind that could win an award at a local farmer’s contest. This year's bounty In fact, last year our largest zucchini measured 23 inches. We love zucchini prepared any way: fried, sautéed, shredded, roasted. But, our favorite dish celebrating … [Read more...]

Summer Fruit Dips

I'm amazed that some of my friends have kids who have already gone back to school. To me, summer is finally in full bloom.  Due to the harsh winter, none of our flowers even showed signs of budding until the end of July.  The corn stalks are finally as high as high as an elephants' eye.  The farmer's stands are BURSTING with a plethora of colorful fruits and veggies that it's hard not to stop and simply take in their visual beauty and splendor. From August through Labor Day, my kitchen is usually stocked with  fresh fruits and vegetables  so … [Read more...]

Grilled and Chilled Peach Soup

Even though I'm starting to get solicitous emails for Halloween costumes, I refuse, on August 1st, to admit that summer is ever ending. The farm stands are bursting with a cornucopia of fresh fruits, veggies and herbs. The corn is almost as high as an elephant's eye. The frothy surf is just a tad bit warmer. In my mind, summer is FINALLY here. To celebrate the season, I've been thoroughly enjoying grilling fruits and vegetables outside.  Have you grilled any Kale yet?  Watch my video: if reading via email or reader, head to … [Read more...]

Chicken Fesenjan

My son has an insatiable desire to learn everything he can about the world; mainly about other countries. Although he hasn’t formally taken a US History course, he’s already decided that US History is boring because “it’s too new.” He’s 9. At this point, he knows more than I do about world geography and facts (but he himself doesn’t know this thanks to the speed and accuracy of my secret Google searches when his back is turned). He reads the old-school atlas my father gave to him and he insisted he go off to sleep away camp with one of … [Read more...]