Friday, July 8, 2011

grandma's dish






this dish is nothing elaborate. it's just root vegetables sauteed in olive oil. in a big ol' skillet (or two) for about an hour. i threw together squash, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers and onion for ours. but this dish is special. it reminds me of my grandma. of sitting outside smack dab in the middle of a sunbeam. and this year, it reminded me of my neighbors. who gladly gave us the bounty from their gardens. there's something special about eating from the land.

i thought this dish wouldn't take long. i was wrong. i thought, oh it's just sauteing vegetables. no big deal. but i sat in the kitchen last night with pablo while robert napped on the couch. and the time crawled. but that's okay. it gave me time to water the plants on the windowsill. to go outside and check on our little strawberry plant. slowing down is good sometimes. and it felt right, being in that kitchen. on those yellow and green paisley linoleum floors. feeling the sweet juxtaposition of being young and in my twenties. in an old house where another couple lived out an entire life.

and later that night, eating grandma's dish. the one she taught my mama to make. and recharging the cycle of life that spins so furiously on.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks delicious :) I love grandma recipes- how did they know such tricks? Grandma knowledge is the best and it's so wonderful you appreciate that! My grandmas taught me the value of a dollar, and how to make a cake in only 4 easy steps, and how things that might seem overwhelming always seem to work out. Grandmas are the smartest people ever. :)

Anonymous said...

Yes, slowing down and feeling the moments linger is a luxury. Appreciating it, a gift. Slow roasted veggies is one of my favorite things to eat :)

jeanette from everton terrace

Meri said...

I love to cook simple things that I remember my mom or grandma making- it always tastes better because its familiar but not something you were used to making yourself- my mom has a few pasta dishes like this that are very simple, a few herbs and veggies and olive oil, but they taste like home!

Valerie said...

I can practically smell the goodness through my computer screen!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

sounds good- I love it when meals remind me of family.

Amy @ AGirlCalledBeloved said...

there is just something special about makeing your grandmother's receipes! I have one that was my great grandmother's for a homemade mac and cheese. It brinks back so many memories when I make it!

DaisyGirl said...

Recipes past down like that are so special. And thinking about that special person and all the memories associated just make for a great time in the kitchen.

And random...we have a very similar kitchen table. haha!

Blondie's Journal said...

I love making anything with vegetables. There is something so satisfying in the chopping and cooking. It calms me. How delicious your meal looks!

XO,
Jane

Jennifer Rod said...

yummy!

Amber said...

that really sounds like a great dish. I love easy meals like this that can saute for hours, I am a "set it and forget it" kinda gal.

Andrea@FancyThat! said...

Don't you love when life seems to come full circle?

Jill said...

wow it's just veggies and olive oil? cool!
it's always nice to slow down

Popcorn, Pugs & Peonies said...

Oh, yum! It looks both healthy and delicious. Score!!

*Erin

Jo - Lost in the Haze said...

Mmm, it looks so good! I love easy meals to cook!

x
Lost in the Haze

Breeanna @ a brilliant melody said...

that actually looks really good!

I need to take the time to slow down sometimes. I'm always doing something.

Paula said...

The link between food and family is a wonderful thing x

Anna @ IHOD said...

Its amazing how some foods can bring you back to a time and place in an instant?! My grandma made the most amazing latin food and whenever I taste anything similar it brings me to her wonderful kitchen.

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

dont you just love meal that can bring you back. Remind you of the day, of someone smile the way you felt. Food for the soul.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

ooooh this looks really yummy. What a healthy, yummy dish!

Shalyn said...

My grandparents lived with us for 14 years so there are A LOT of dishes that remind me of my grandmother and I love cooking them!

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