Native Cooking
Cegejokwijoad and Benibagos
Last updated 9/26/2012 at 10:26pm
Cegejokwijoad is September and Benibagos is October in our Abenaki language. Known as ‘croptime’, and the ‘time of falling leaves’, these two months bring the most bounty to our table. Tomatoes are still coming in and you may be awash in squash. Not a bad thing.
Now the winter varieties like my favorites, butternut and acorn, are being harvested. Turbans, hubbards pattypan, spaghetti, pumpkin, buttercup, are but a few of the winter squash varieties. However, there are still some giant green summer squash, zucchini, floating around.
We like to make the following recipe outside in the fall over a wood fire in a large dutch oven to use up some of these big fellas.
Native Harvest Vegetables
2-3 strips bacon
2 onions, chopped
3 large summer squash, sliced in ½-inch rounds
1 bell pepper, sliced
½ pound wild mushrooms, or store bought
4 fresh tomatoes, seeded and quartered
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 small can tomato sauce
Sauté the bacon until done, remove, drain and reserve. Sauté the onions and pepper until translucent.
Then add the squash, mushrooms and tomatoes. Cook all until squash are browned on both sides.
Add the tomato sauce and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and the cooked bacon. Stir all until all flavors blend, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
*If you want to add beans, green or kidney or both, this is the time to do it. To turn this into a dinner meal, add cooked meat leftovers (turkey, pork, venison, sausage…). If you do add beans and meat of any sort, add a tablespoon of molasses to all and mix well. A green salad and bread make this a hearty meal. Try your own additions, be creative.
Back to School Snacks
Yup, its that time of year again and the first thing kids want when they get home is something to eat right away! You do want to be sure they get healthy snacks so here is a list you can put on the fridge for the kids to choose from. Ask your kids what they might like for snacks, they might surprise you in a good way. If they are ‘ornery’ or ‘cranky’ and start getting an attitude, this could just be a symptom of hunger.
homemade granola
pre-made sandwiches
rice cakes
dried fruit (apricots, raisins, dates…)
fresh fruit
celery or carrot sticks
crackers and cheese
peanut butter
popcorn
honey or molasses on bread
yogurt
fruit salad
salsa and corn ships
soup cups
corn bread
Notes: When you put away the grill, think about getting the crock pot out. Planning meals ahead can save time and trouble.