Tough Nut to Crack Pecans, it seems to me, are thought of as a particularly Southern nut. I cannot tell you anything about its growing condition or to what region or country the pecan is indigenous, but the trees proliferate around here. And the nuts feature prominently in Southern cooking from classic pie to divinity candy to pecan cheese straws. You rarely see pecan … [Read more...] about Southern Pecan Pie
Southern Specialties
Tennessee Blackberry Jam Cake
My grandparents lived on a farm in Middle Tennessee. It was a wonderful place for grandkids, and my brother and I made great use of it. Lots of rolling, verdant land to run around on, cows mooing in the background. There was a creek running through the property, shallow enough that we could wade around in it, or play pooh sticks or search for arrowheads and … [Read more...] about Tennessee Blackberry Jam Cake
The Watermelon by the Side of the Road
The Watermelon on the Side of the Road Watermelon means summer, right? I know they are available (though not very good) all year round now, but what is more summery than ice-cold juicy watermelon? Pink juice dribbles down your chin, and even your mama doesn’t mind too much when you spit the seeds. When I was a kid at summer camp, we used to have races in the pool with a … [Read more...] about The Watermelon by the Side of the Road
Chicken Fried Love
Anyone who grew up in the South has some kind of fried chicken memory. Or maybe no particular, specific single event at all, because fried chicken is so ubiquitous. But it is one of the many food topics a true Southerner can weave a yarn around. Fried chicken a simple weekend supper, first choice for a picnic or dinner on the ground, someone’s favorite special occasion meal. … [Read more...] about Chicken Fried Love
