All Things Green – Almost

There is a time a man has got to do what a man has got to do. I came home for lunch and created myself a heaping pastrami and provolone sandwich on rye bread with a generous helping of potato salad. I would have to read too many packages and do some mathematical calculations to realize what the caloric count was. Then again, that does not matter because it was a great sandwich.

So that brings me to dinner. A guy needs a light dinner after a hearty lunch. Then again, the garden needs some attention so a plan is created. You get out you man sized cast iron skillet that weighs in at over ten pounds. That is about a 14 incher for those with designer cookware. The skillet is then put on some low heat to begin warming up. Then it is off to the garden and pantry.

The garden provides the zucchini, bell pepper, Anaheim chili, oregano, sweet basil, cinnamon basil, marjoram, thyme and rosemary. Out of the pantry comes the onion, cloves of garlic and tomatoes. The large box in the kitchen provides the sweet corn.

With a warm skillet loved by a generous amount of olive oil that has heated up to the task, the flames are turned up to the proper intensity so that the onions can be the first to jump in. They are sautéed to the point where they begin to become translucent. That signals it is time for the bell and Anaheim chili peppers. The cloves of garlic go soon after with a liberal amount of black pepper and some salt. By now the zucchini is bored and it wants in on the action. The party of green things is stirred while the aromatics are miniaturized via the sharp edge of the blade that wreaked havoc on the other green things.

A little more stirring and in go the herbs to the party of all things green. As they are blended, a blossom of aromatic aromas fills the air. The tomatoes and corn are sent in to add a little color. What a tasty treat of All Things Green. I quickly ate one plate full as I read my Outdoor Life magazine. As I went back for more and Eric, the 16 year old said – “What is for dinner?” I held up my plate of All Things Green and he said, “no way.” I replied, do you want a hot dog? He said yes. A typical boy’s response to All Things Green is the desire of some incarnation of premanufactured intestinal blockage.

All Things Green

It takes a man, his cast iron skillet and a garden full of wonderful things to create a real mans meal of All Things Green. I dedicate the next plate full to my brothers. May they enjoy a plate of All Things Green in their future.