Friday, August 13, 2010

Summer Cookin'

As I said in my last post, I am in a Long Beach, Ca. with my oldest son and Mr. SS., as they are doing an addition and remodel of a friends kitchen. We are staying in an old trailer park in our RV.  My son Scott is really good at BBQ, so Monday night, I marinated some pork chops and he BBQ'd them while I fixed one of my favorite summer veggies....Zuccini.
I started fixing zuccini this way when my boys were growing up. Veggies went down a little easier with either Ranch Dressing or Salsa ( or so my boys told me). My middle son Eric,still claims the only food I cooked that he liked growing up was tacos.  One night, I fixed zuccini and he poured on the salsa and ate it.
This is how I have always made zuccini since. It helps that I have more fresh baby zuccini from Avila Barn like those I bought at the Farmers Market in Arroyo Grande.

Start with the zuccini, a fresh clove of garlic, green onions and salsa (If I don't have homemade, my favorite is Santa Barbara Salsa found in the deli section of your grocery store.


Slice the zuccini (1/4" or smaller slices), chop the green onions and garlic.


Saute the veggies in a little olive oil (or use cooking spray) tossing until you see a little brown on the zucinni.


Add about 1/3 cup salsa.


Stir, cover and simmer until the zucinni just starts to turn translucent (don't overcook)
Add salt and pepper to taste (remember salsa usually has salt in it already).
Serve and enjoy!!



A little funny story to leave you with:
We always have applesauce with porkchops because of a Brady Bunch episode ( I know, you have to be of a certain age to know who the Brady Bunch are) where one of the boys says "Pork chops and applesauce" when they are having dinner. My boys always say that in the same way when we have pork chops.
Anyway... the funny part is, even though I wore my boys out on applesause, Mr. SS still  loves his applesauce and loves it with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on it (liberally)
After eating most of it, he said, "Taste this applesauce, it tastes salty"  I did and ran into the trailer and tasted the mixture I had made earlier to sprinkle on his applesauce....ugh....salty.
To conserve space, I often put things in ziplocs to bring in the trailer.  I had grabbed one of these thinking it was sugar and added cinnamon. (So proud that even camping, I would have applesauce like he likes it)
You guessed it, didn't you...note to self...always mark those ziplocs.

One of the reasons I love my Mr. SS so much is that  he will eat almost anything I make. I am a pretty good cook, but I still have those "Why did I make this" moments and he is always a good sport and tries to eat it.
Even "salty" applesauce.

15 comments:

Lemon Lane Studio said...

I am laughing at your story...as soon as you said Brady Bunch episode my mind went to porkchops and applesauce exactly like Peter or Bobby said it...classic tv moment. Have fun in Long Beach...the sun should come out for you today. Patty

southerninspiration said...

haha, Beverly, funny story!! Will you post pics of the redo y'all are working on??/

Suzanne
I so appreciate your comments on my blog! You are a faithful Friend!

Suzanne said...

Yes, before and after photos please. Your post reminded me of all the homemade applesauce we used to make together. Yumm nothing better than warm homemade applesauce with a sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon!

Linda said...

I make my zucchini with fresh tomatoes and pepers from the garden. My sons always loved it...throw on a little grated cheese and they go nuts!

PattyAnnD said...

We always had applesauce with pork chops too when I was a kid! To this day they would not taste right without it...Zucchini recipe looks tasty and thanks for the Salsa rec..I never know which ones will taste good.
Patty D.

Pink Daisys Blog Spot said...

It looks so good! I thought I had a child's dress form for you today, while I was out shopping at my favorite antique mall.. turns out it was sold and the lady was not happy that I picked it up and had it in my cart.. It had not been marked yet and I was just about to go ask how much it was, when I was spotted, lol.. So I lost that one, but if I find one, I will snag it for you.. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I am going to try this this week!
Mechelle

Michelle said...

Good idea for the zuch. There are always so many of them you need just as many ways to fix them!

Sewn With Grace said...

This looks so yummy! Will have to try the zucchini recipe for sure. Hope you are having a good Sunday!

Sally said...

I love zucchini so I will have to try this recipe sometime. You have been "fun busy" lately, like the rest of us! I'm looking forward to seeing pics of Lana's redo. I know you are all having a great time. Let's get together soon.
Love ya,
Sally

Anonymous said...

You made me hungry for pork chops and maybe zucchini too oh.... I'll have try applesauce with it. Sounds good. If you were home I would have said "I'll be right over" Miss you being here. I know you are enjoying your time, a little change of scenery is good.

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Beverly, oh that looks yummy! Applesauce and pork chops..works for me..I am way old enough to remember the Brady Bunch but I must have been doing homework during that episode. We do always have applesauce along with our french toast..they just go good side by side!

Have fun in Long Beach, enjoy the cooler weather and yes before and after pics please!

PS my younger sons name is Scott..small world!

hugs
Barb

Sewn With Grace said...

Beverly, I LOVE YOU!!! I'm going to cut out my fabric today, made possible by you. I will print, laminate and hang up your comment today and use it for the rest of my life. I'm not kidding!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Beverly,
We love pork chops and applesauce! Your zuccini with salsa sounds really good!. I will have to try making it....
Have a sweet day! hugs~Elizabeth

Annelies said...

applesauce was a staple when I grew up and a staple for my kids too!!!! We LOVED the Brady Bunch ( Marcia, Marcia, Marcia )!!!!! XXX

Cindy said...

Your zucchini recipe sounds really good, my hubby might like that. Cute applesauce story, when haven't all of us done something like that. So nice for you to have a hubby that will eat most anything. I am blessed that way too.