Seasonal Cooking

I grew up in southwestern Louisiana, just a few miles from Opelousas, which was then called the sweet potato capital of the South. We ate sweet potatoes often, but they were frequently served in very sugary dishes. My Aunt Dean made her special sweet potato–Read more

I always look forward to the first weeks of spring and the appearance of fresh, local asparagus in the stores. The spears are beacons of the new season and bring beautiful color to meals. This salad that features fresh, crisp-tender asparagus alongside new potatoes, ham,–Read more

I like the irony that we turn to a food called “chili” to take the chill off of a frosty evening.  I’ve been warming our winters with this vegetarian chili for over two decades, using its unusual ingredient—bulgur wheat—to entice even carnivores to dig in.–Read more

I know that Halloween is around the corner, and I should be carving pumpkins. But I decided to carve and stuff apples instead. Baking apples, scented with cinnamon and packed with a mixture of pecans and dried fruit, says that happy fall days are here.–Read more

This summer I’ve discovered Italian prune plums. A few weeks ago a merchant at our farmers’ market recommended them to me for jam making. Their purple skins hide a greenish yellow interior, creating a rather mundane appearance when raw. And I know– their name is–Read more

As the last days of summer come upon us, I prize my trips to our local farmers’ market for fresh produce.  At the market, I can find vegetable varieties that might not be available at the grocery store. The offerings are local, fresh, and full–Read more