Roadside Produce 1, HSHW 1

While I'm still hauling carloads of CDs, unused cookbooks, and clothes I haven't worn in two seasons over to my new apt, let me entertain you with some food talk until I can give the full new-apt-decorating scoop...

This past weekend found this homewrecker camping in the "wilds" of Long Island, in a pup tent pitched a few yards away from a dozen college kids drinking and carrying on until 3:30am. Twice I stumbled over in my jammies to explain to them the physics of campground noise and how it was making it impossible for me to sleep. Oh yeah, I'm getting old.

But I'm not here to bitch about a-hole campers, no, I'm here to tell you how I feasted on the bounty of Long Island's summer produce. Saturday afternoon, after visiting a couple of the plentiful North Fork wineries to sip on their wares, I squeeled with tipsy delight over all the roadside goodies as we drove by. Signs for "U-Pick Peaches!" and "Eggs!" and "Fresh Strawberries!" OMG. I ended up picking up a dollar's worth of fresh corn and a little basket of raspberries for $4.75. That night I did a bang-up job roasting the corn right in the campfire -- simply peel back the husk (but don't remove), tear out the silk, rub the ear down with butter, salt and pepper, then fold the husk back into place and tie it tight with a loose piece of husk. If the corn is fresh enough and not dry, it won't ignite when you place it on the coals, and soon you will have a nicely roasted ear of sweet, hot corney goodness.

For my next trick, I planned to make raspberry mojitos by muddling a fistfull of the ripe berries with mint I picked up on a bike ride to Fairway in Red Hook (pretty much the most glorious grocery store EVER). But when I checked on the berries this morning in the fridge, they are looking a little furry. Oh well, one fresh produce success out of two ain't bad.


photo by leslieannprice on flickr (thanks!)