Winter Squash, Peppers and Onions

This is an easy side dish to use up winter squash and green peppers.

Start by cutting onions - as few or as many as you like - I use two medium ones - and sauté until brown around the edges in a couple of squirts of extra virgin olive oil. When translucent, add cut-up winter squash and green peppers, washed and patted dry with clean dish towels:

1/2 cup of either water, chicken broth or wine, and cover.

Cook on low for about 20 minutes. Add 1 tsp garlic powder or regular salt.

You can serve either hot or cold.

I prefer this dish cold but it's also wonderful warm right out of the pan.

Makes about 4 servings.

You can serve this with almost any protein or main dish.

Charlotte

Yummy Violets!

Looking for something pretty to spice up your dishes, or a quick dash of vitamins? It could be right out your door!

Wild violets add lovely color to any dish and are high in Vitamin C. They would also make any dish special as a gift from your kitchen.

To pick wild violets for garnish, make sure you're picking wild violets,

or any flowers, from an area that hasn't been treated with chemicals. Pull

gently on the flower stem to remove from the plant without taking out

roots. Wash. Pat dry.

I like to pile several wild violet stems together, keeping flowers on the

same side. My nephew prefers to literally toss his wild violets all over

his plate, giving his dish that extra artsy touch!

Charlotte

How to Harvest Lettuce

If you're lucky enough to grow your own lettuce in easy to access pots, harvest by gently pinching the plants at the base. Don't use knives or scissors, they will leave a slight metal taste. Water leftover roots carefully with diluted plant food. By leaving roots, you will ensure a second and possibly third crop of homegrown lettuce!