Chapter 28 - Fried Green Tomatoes

I love this time of year for so many reasons but two of the main ones are the local farmer's markets we can go to and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes we can get. While Dave has been successful growing many vegetables in our backyard, it takes time and a maintenance commitment which we don't always want to make. Enter our local farmers...

The two markets we frequent are the North Myrtle Beach market on Friday and the Conway farmers market on Saturday. We indulge in tomatoes, lots of veggies, farm fresh eggs from the Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission, fresh meats, and honey. We also almost always buy something from Jupiter Pies as they have small and large pies and assorted baked goods. Our latest crave has been their tomato pies which can't be beat.

I mentioned CSAs above. We currently get a weekly delivery from Sugarfoot Farms in Conway and have been very happy with what we have received. They have many plans to choose from, free delivery, and the ability to schedule vacation suspensions.

So if you are in the mood for some good books about food or foodies - here they are.

The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of My Life by Pat Conroy - It should come as no surprise that one of the best writers of our generation should have produced a wonderful cookbook. Always the storyteller, Conroy interwove recipes with his accounts of people and events. Reading this book is like sitting with a good friend and listening to him tell about his life in food.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain - This was the first book that Bourdain wrote and I think it was his best. His "bare all" memoir tells of late nights, hot kitchens, and lessons learned. Sadly, he has died too young but this book will keep him fresh in our memories.

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton - Okay this is the last memoir I'll mention. Along with being an incredible chef, Gabrielle Hamilton has an MFA in writing. This becomes very evident as she tells of her journey from her unusual upbringing in Pennsylvania to owning her own restaurant, Prune, in New York City.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris - Vianne Rocher decides to open her chocolate shop in a small town in France during Lent. Soon there is trouble as many of the parishioners are giving up their Lenten vows to partake of Vianne's chocolat. In addition Vianne seems to be able to discern her customer's discontents and provide a solution to them. This is the first in the Vianne Rocher series by Harris.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - Food and murder along with Fannie Flagg's marvelous wit, what could be more perfect? The story is about middle aged, sad, Evelyn, and Mrs. Threadgoode, a nursing home resident who is telling her life story. Mrs Threadgoode tells a tale of two women who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe in the 1930's. Her story gives Evelyn the impetus to become stronger than she thought she could be.

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews - Known for her humor and snarkiness, this Andrews novel does not disappoint. Competing for one slot on national television, a Georgia redneck and a professional chef battle for the cooking show's next slot. Get ready for a cook-off to end all cook-offs!

Are there any books about food or foodies you'd like to share?