summer eats

Every single time we sit down to eat something--be it a snack, or backyard feast--I feel so thankful for everything that grows out of the earth and goes straight to our plates....and is then shoveled into our mouths.

(and then I wonder how we ever survive winter)

Our tomatoes are still a bit sad for the year--the spring was so cold and lasted forever, but we are fiiiinally starting to see some progress with our first teeny tiny tomatoes.

So while the plants are loaded down with green tomatoes--we are enjoying them that way.....green! 

Fried green tomatoes are soooooooooooo good, and a perfect for a simple salad. 

Pasta and Garden Veggies

favorite whole wheat pasta

garlic

 chard

baby onions

zucchini

walnuts

fresh basil

parmesan cheese

 while pasta is cooking sauté garlic, onions, and a few pinches of crushed red pepper in a bit of olive oil. 

Add zucchini and and sauté a few more minutes, then add chard and walnuts. 

Mix in pasta and basil and a bit more olive oil. Top with parmesan cheese.

Fried Green Tomatoes

slice tomatoes 1/4" thick

dip in a beaten egg

dip into an equal parts flour and cornmeal mixture (with a bit of garlic powder and cayenne pepper)

Lightly fry in a little olive oil until golden.

Sprinkle with a bit of salt.

Mix with greens, carrots, peas, baby onions, and a simple vinaigrette.

Fish Tacos

one of our very favorites!!

grilled corn tortillas

this time we used cod--grilled with olive oil, lime, salt and pepper

-cabbage (tossed with a little vinegar and s&p)

-fresh salsa

-Tomatillo dressing (tomatillos+sour cream+lots of cilantro+green onions+a pinch of cayenne+salt, 

all blended together)

Black Bean, Corn and Zucchini Salad

Sauté fresh corn, zucchini, jalepeno, and minced garlic in olive oil, until zucchini is tender.

Stir in black beans for a few minutes until heated through.

Remove from heat and add lime juice, lime zest, a pinch of salt, and lots of fresh chopped cilantro. 

The best thing about this dinner, is the next night you can throw all of the taco leftovers+the black bean salad leftovers into some greens and have a giant taco salad.

And while this photo is not a picture of food....I'm sure those fishing boats are catching something tasty...

trinidad harbor, trinidad california

I'd love to hear what you are eating this summer!

happy weekend!