HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Ingredients:

Zucchini flowers

1 whipped cream cheese package

1 shredded triple cheddar blend package (fine)

1 egg yolk

Pinch of cayenne

Salt & pepper to taste

Tempura batter

Directions:

Blanch flowers in scalding water for a few seconds only. Quickly place in an ice bath then place on lined sheet pan with paper towels.

**DO NOT BLOT you risk damaging and tangling the flower petals.

Mix cream cheese, cheddar blend, egg yolk and spices. Using a piping bag or ziploc with end cut off fill with cream cheese filling. Take a flower open carefully to expose inner canal and slowly pipe filling. Fold over each petal to close in the filling.

Prepare Tempura batter as directed on packaging.

Dip flowers in batter and immediately place in hot vegetable oil to fry until lightly golden brown.

Remove and drain on paper towel lined pan.

Let cool as cheese filling is very hot!

Enjoy!

**Early morning pick the flowers from the zucchini plant that are not attached to a growing zucchini fruit, they are the male flowers.

Thank you!!

Misty Ramos & Jake Uribe

Okra Gumbo

Ingredients:

1 lb. okra, sliced

8-10 slices of bacon, cut up, reserve the grease

1 onion, chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes or 4 large fresh tomotes, diced

1 small can tomato sauce

2 cloves chopped garlic salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Fry bacon in a skillet, remove and drain it on a plate with a few paper towels, set it aside. Fry the okra in the bacon grease. Continue to fry the okra until most of the slime cooks out. Add in the onion and garlic, cook until softened. Add in the bacon, tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Stew on medium until done.

This is one of my favorite recipes that has been handed down from my Granny Grubb, my daddy’s mama.

When I make it, I make a huge batch, about 6 lbs. or more of okra, then I just use a whole pound of bacon and adjust the rest of the ingredients accordingly.

It’s good as a side dish or you can add in shrimp and make a meal out of it.

We still want to see your garden pictures and we want your recipes so that we can start making some yummy food!

Please send your pictures and recipes to Loni Just, agnews@pleasantonexpress.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to email, I will be glad to help you out.

I can’t wait to see what y’all send!

Thank you!

Loni Just

Ag Editor