A to Z Challenge- X,Y, Z

 X,Y and Z are just not for things I come across very often.

So I fell apart on X,Y, and Z. I took the kids to Rome for a few days, that's a decent excuse, don't you think?

X
The Chinese use lots of X's so watermelon transliterates to Xigua, but I dont think this precisely counts.

Xylocarp is the scientific name for a coconut or any other woody-exterior fruit that grows on a tree.

Evidently, there's a fruit called the Ximenia which produces and essential oil that can be used for preventing parasitic infections, so that's nice. It tastes like a plum.

Y
Y is for Yam. I've always wondered about the difference between a true Yam and a Sweet Potato. From the Library of Congress- More than you ever wanted to know about the difference between Yams and Sweet Potatoes.

This extremely groovy website of Nigerian Recipes can tell you what to do if you get your hands on a true yam!

Z
The jujube is technically called the Zizyphus jujuba. No sh(%!

Zucchini is a vegetable I actually dont really find worth eating. To my taste, it has no flavor whatsoever. My husband likes to sautee zucchini in about 45 cloves of garlic and a liter of olive oil with some tomatoes. Which will pretty much make anything taste good. I like to mix the leftovers of this concoction with eggs and scramble it. Tasty!

A to Z Challenge- W

W is for Watermelon and Watercress

Yeah! Comprehensible foodstuffs...Sorry, U was horrible and I know X is virtually impossible... plus I'm supposed to be on Y by now....

Watermelon cooler

In a blender, combine 1tbsp agave or sugar syrup, about three cups of de-seeded watermelon chunks and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Give it a quick whirr, just to mix it and get the watermelon to release its juices. You can pour it through a strainer if you don't like the texture or just drink it as is. This is delicious with a splash of white rum.



Watercress sandwich

So, you've got a watermelon cooler, you might as well eat something with it. Cut the crusts off some good home (or bakery)-made white bread. Generously spread with mayonnaise. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, add watercress. Cut into triangles. Serve with watermelon cooler, preferably on a porch located below the Mason-Dixon line...

A to Z Challenge - V

V is for Vanilla and Vidalia Onions

Vanilla Panna Cotta 

In a heavy bottom sauce pan, slowly cook 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 cup light cream, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 vanilla beans (split) until just beginning to simmer. Pour the mixture through a strainer and whisk in 1 oz gelatin until fully dissolved. Set aside until cool to touch (1/2 hour). When cool, fold in 2 cups of strained yogurt.
Pour mixture into lightly buttered, 10" tart pan (removable bottom is easier) or about 1 dozen jelly glasses.
Lovely served by itself or with fresh fruits.



Vidalia Onion Dip
 

Martha Stewart likes Vidalia Onions, I mean a LOT. A search for 'Martha Stewart Vidalia Onions' will give you 300,000 hits without dupulicates.
Her dip is a massive improvement over dried onion soup based dips (which I love, BTW). The onion flavor is richer and stands out so well against the creaminess... Now I have to go buy some potato chips, sigh!
Martha Stewart's Vidalia Onion Dip

A to Z Challenge- U

U is for Ugli Fruit and Ulluco

I've never eaten or cooked either of these foods and cant really find much by way of recipes. Which is kinda good, this corresponds with my general falling apart in the A to Z Challenge... sigh!

Ugli Fruit
Ugli fruit is actually a brand name under which the Jamaican  Tangelo is sold.






Ulluco
Here's some info about a S. American vegetable called Ulluco, it looks suspiciously like a potato.

A to Z Challenge - T

T is for Tomatoes and Turnips

Tomatoes are fruits. This is good for me because I cant find any other 'T' fruits- know any??

 Roasted Tomato Sauce

Cut your tomatoes into chunks, toss with garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil and roast on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven until good and cooked through (maybe 40 min.). When beginning to bubble,  add some fresh basil, kalamata olives and capers to the pan. Roast for 5 minutes more.
Now you can spoon this mixture over fish or chicken, excellent.
Toss it with pasta of course, or serve it as an appetizer on some crusty bread.



Turnip Mash

Once someone from California moved to Putnam and asked a bunch of ladies outside of school "I just dont understand why there isn't more local, organic produce here???" That would have been because it was February. Local and organic in Putnam in February means only one thing- Turnips.

When in doubt- Ina Garten's mashed yellow turnips with crispy shallots save a somewhat scary vegetable.