Grits, Collard Greens, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Boiled Peanuts

This is dedicated to some of our favourtie,  and  most memorable Southern Food!

We tried out  our  first truly Southern Food  at "Coast" a Charleston Seafood Restaurant that was certainly the place to try both!   What a  great restaurant and how lucky we were to get in without a reservation - must have been Brian's  charming ways!     We started with Fried Green Tomatoes  - and who knew Green Tomatoes could  transcend to such a heavenly  taste!    The tomatoes appeared to be  lightly dusted in cornmeal, and  pan fried and then served with a  red pepper aeoli, that was incredible.   This  has got to be a new staple at our house for sure!     Next we ttried  creamy  yummy grits  served as a side with Escolar,  an awesome  fish we had never tried before.    I ordered the  Grits, thinking they were one of those obligatory things you  had to try in the south,  but  positive we wouldn't like them!  Wow, we were sure surprised.   How do I describe the grits,  creamy texture but with a bite, and bursting with  seasoning and flavors,  ok - I can't describe them  but  oh my,  they were good!     

Shrimp dosn't come Bigger or Fresher than This!

After that experience. we decided we had better try cooking some real  Southern food before we left the south, so  off to the local farmers market we went.  Well,   I have to say,  we didn't recognize all the food, and had to ask what some of the delicicies were, and how to cook them and in some cases,  how to eat them.

Starting with Boiled Peanuts . . .  For those of you who haven't tried these,  they are simply fresh peanuts in the shell, boiled in salty water until soft.  For $2.00 "we got us some"  boiled peanuts from a big giant kettle  - dipped out with the  salty water into  a  plastic  recycled grocery bag.   We were told just to  squeeze them open and   eat the soft, salty peanuts inside.  What a messy delicious treat,  we saved them for  eating on the flybridge of the boat so we could just toss the shells over  as we meandered down the ICW.   Definitely an experience!

A very nice Southern ladyat the farmers market   explained Mustard and Collard greens to us.  First of all,  they were sold in bunches so huge,  it took both arms to hold them!   I would have to describe the look and size of the greens we got  as   Kale on Steroids.  We got our instructions and were told to The  cut all the ribs out of them,  then steam them till they wilted, then add some  meat to them and cook them,  and  the lady said - you think you will have gone to heaven!   It took John about 40 minutes to wash and cut the ribs out of the greens, and  they had to be stuffed into our biggest pot, and we eagerly awaited  their "wilting".    They were very flavourful,  quite bitter and with the bacon and a little bacon grease - like the real Southerners cook;  we  dug right in!   I have to say it made enough to feed a big family of 10,  but we  bravely dug in.  I think Annie liked hers the most,  but we all made a meal of it.   Not sure we felt like we were in heaven,  especially a few hours later,  but . . . .  when in the south . . .. !

John was determined to find some good Southern BBQ  while we were in the South,  but  the great BBQ places must not have been on the coast within walking distance to our boat, because we didn't find any good enough to write home about . . . .  none as good as John's  great home cookin BBQ right back home!

We are Saving the fresh pecans  for some real southern pralines,  and we will have to report on the "secret recipe"  when we know  it turns out! 

Well, there you have the end of our Southern Culinary Experience - all in all,  quite amazing!