Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. This week's Hodgepodge is Volume 123. What's something you've done recently that was as easy as 1-2-3? 

I made 2 gallons of fresh brewed ice tea. So yummy, so easy, so worth it!

 

2. The Wednesday Hodgepodge also happens to fall on the first day of May...what is something you may do this month?

Start my garden. Plan on planting tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers.

3. The Englishman Horace Walpole is credited as saying, "The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think."  How do you see it?

I'm definitely both. I feel way more than I should at times. Then there are times where I laugh off things and let them roll off my back.

4. May is National Hamburger Month...how often do you eat a burger?  What are your must-haves when it comes to burgers?  I assume you vegetarians won't be celebrating so tell us what you'd like instead?

I eat them twice a month. I love mine with lots of cheese (blue, cheddar or american), LOTS and I meant LOTS of pickles, ketchup, mayo, and mustard. I like it with bacon on occasion but we like to make ours with pork roll (taylor ham to my non-jersey friends...and if you don't know what taylor ham or pork roll is you are living a sad sad existence) 

5. Pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatiens...of the four mentioned which is your favorite in a patio pot? Will there be pots on your patio this spring? (Or whenever spring comes to your part of the globe?)  Who does the gardening at your house?

I don't really do pots. My mother always did and well she did them all. We had  a big yard growing up so it was always full of flowers and veggies. I'm thinking of doing some herbs on my balcony though.

6. When did you last (literally or figuratively) shout "Mayday, Mayday!"

I'm pretty sure I've never shouted it. Maybe years ago in school reading a play or story or some such.

7. Say farewell to your April in ten words or less.

Thank God the A-Z challenge is over with. It kicked my behind. I was great during the week but Saturday's were too hard for me to post. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Ok not so random but if you see above my comment about pork roll and you've never tried seriously go out and try it. That is if you eat pork. While it is primarily a Jersey thing you can find it places like Pennsylvania. Most other states that carry it will call it Taylor Ham (which is a brand name). Taylor is the best Pork Roll in my opinion BTW. There are also websites that will sell and ship it to you. Anyway to make it is super easy. If it is not already sliced you slice it then gently make 2-3 cuts on the edge to keep if from curling up. Place in pan and fry. The typical way it is consumed in Jersey is on a hard roll with fried egg, cheese, salt pepper and ketchup. YUM YUM YUM!

V is for Vinegar

OK so I have a soft spot for vinegar. Partly because it is a tradition to go down the shore and get boardwalk fries. Boardwalk fries are salty thick fries lightly sprinkled with vinegar. I don't know if it is just a Jersey thing or if other states do it. But here in Jersey its just a thing we do kinda like pork roll (aka Taylor Ham for those not from Joisey)

Anyway the following recipe is like salt and vinegar chips only healthier. Why? Cause there is no frying and you use zucchini instead of potatoes. So that means those watching their carbs can enjoy them. Warning you will need a food dehydrator for this recipe. I got this recipe back in my days of being a vegetarian on Weight Watchers. Wish I could tell you where exactly I got it from but it again is one of those mystery sources.


Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips    

Photo Courtesy of WordRidden on flickr

3-4 Zucchninis thinly sliced
4 cups white vinegar
2 cups water
salt
Olive Oil


combine water and vinegar and soak zucchini in mixture for at least 12 hours (overnight is better). Drain but do not rinse the slices. Using a mister gently lightly mist with olive oil and sprinkle with salt (obviously you can pick your level of saltiness). Place in dehydrator and heat at 135 for 6-7 hours. They should be nice and crispy. Serve and enjoy!