Zavels Family Farms, Corryton, Tennessee

by Amy Campbell in


Season 8, Episode 5. 01/30/2021

Zavels Family Farms, Corryton, Tennessee

Today, we are setting the table with Family Farming. In this episode we visit with Mike and Tammy Zavels of Zavels Family Farms located in Corryton TN. This farming family is a very successful family farm in the eastern region of Tennessee. They will let us know how they got into farming and how the family has grown and the diversity of farm products that they produce. They also give some really good advice to those contemplating a life of farming for a living.

In Fred Sauceman’s Pot Luck Radio Series, he features one of Tennessee’s oldest restaurants in continuous operation “Sarzour’s” of Chattanooga.

Links:

Zavels Family Farm - http://www.zavelsfamilyfarms.com/

Fred Sauceman - https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Nourish Market - https://www.nourishknoxville.org/

Grow Oak Ridge Winter Market - https://www.growoakridge.org/

Pictured are Tammy and Mike Zavels at home at the family table built by their son Zack. Every week on Friday night the family gathers around this table and shares a family meal. Photo from Amy Campbell, 2021.

Pictured are Tammy and Mike Zavels at home at the family table built by their son Zack. Every week on Friday night the family gathers around this table and shares a family meal. Photo from Amy Campbell, 2021.

The late Shirley Fuller of “Zarsour’s”, Chattanooga. “Zarzour’s” is one of Tennessee’s oldest restaurants in continuous operation. Photograph provided by Fred Sauceman.

The late Shirley Fuller of “Zarsour’s”, Chattanooga. “Zarzour’s” is one of Tennessee’s oldest restaurants in continuous operation. Photograph provided by Fred Sauceman.


Native Plants with Avi Askey, owner of Overhill Gardens, Monroe County, Tennessee

by Amy Campbell


Season 8, Episode 4, 1,22,2021

Native Plants of Overhill Gardens, Monroe County, Tennessee with owner Avi Askey

We visit today with Avi Askey, Owner of Overhill Gardens in Madisonville Tennessee. Overhill Gardens is a Native plant nursery, and Eco-Friendly Landscapes, Hardscape, and design business. Amy interviews owner Avi Askey about his work for over 20 years now to improve region’s ecology through his work of saving native plants, and endangered native plant species. Overhill Gardens does not advertise on this show. Fred Sauceman shares a story with the voice of Janette Carter (daughter of A.P. Carter) and her making of Chow Chow.

Links:
 Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Overhill Gardens: https://www.overhillgardens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Overhill-Gardens-306577461193/

Address: 1404 Citico Rd, Vonore, TN 37885
 Phone: 423-295-2288
 Mobile: 423-295-5003


Email: Avi@overhillgardens.com

Hours: Monday - Saturday 8am - 4 pm, March 15 - Dec 15 (open by appointment during the winter)

Overhill Gardens Edibles inventory:

Trees

  • Persimmon
  • Butternut
  • Pawpaw – host for state butterfly, zebra swallowtail
  • Red Mulberry
  • Redbud
  • Downy Serviceberry
  • Sassafras
  • American Plum
  • American Crabapple
  • Red Cedar
  • Hickory
  • Honey Locust
  • American Chestnut
  • Allegheny Chinkapin

Shrubs

  • American Hazelnut
  • Elderberry
  • Spicebush
  • Blueberry, Sparkleberry, many sp.
  • Hawthorn sp.
  • Sumac
  • Purple-flowering Raspberry
  • Wild Rose
  • Blackberry, Raspberry
  • Black Raspberry
  • Black Chokeberry

Perennials

  • Spikenard
  • Bee Balm
  • Jerusalem Artichoke
  • Nodding Onion
  • False Solomon’s Seal – too many berries can be a laxative
  • Cutleaf Coneflower
  • Mayapple
  • Violet
  • Great Solomon’s Seal – shoots
  • Vines and Groundcovers
  • Partridgeberry
  • Groundnut
  • Passionflower – state wildflower
  • Muscadine
  • Cranberry
  • Wild Ginger
  • Wintergreen
  • Wild Strawberry
  • Fox grape
Avi Askey, Owner of Overhill Gardens in Madisonville, TN

Avi Askey, Owner of Overhill Gardens in Madisonville, TN


Real Good Kitchen Food Incubator, Knoxville TN

by Amy Campbell


Season 8, Episode 3. 1/16/2021

Today we are setting the table in the kitchen with my guest Bailey Foster. She is a Knoxville native and Founder of Real Good Kitchen, a food incubator in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their motto is “Make Change Through Food.” In short, this new place provides the space and resources food entrepreneurs need. There are many roadblocks to starting and maintaining a small food business, and this place helps offset those by working collaboratively. And in this challenging time, we are all going through, this place is a breath of fresh air for our community. This small business is in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign, they have almost reached their goal, and it is my hope that by sharing this story, we can help them achieve their goal. We also get to hear a segment on the happily retired former food writer for the Knoxville news sentinel - Mary Dee Dee Constantine with a soul food recipe on how to prepare Pig’s Feet and Pork Neck Bones by way of Mary Breedlove of Morristown, TN. I don’t know about your circumstances listening in here today, but, for a good long while now, I have been searching and cooking recipes that fill up my family’s bellies, give us nutritional value, are tasty, and most of all, affordable. So, I thought this would be an excellent story to feature in this ole cold month of January in this pandemic and all. Hope it helps.

On Fred Sauceman’s Pot Luck Radio series, a feature on Frederick Pal Barger - Founder of Pal’s Sudden Service award-winning regional fast-food chain. Sadly, Pal Barger passed away in October of 2020 at the age of 90, having opened the first Pal’s restaurant bearing his nickname in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee, in 1956. If you may not be familiar with Pal’s…Pal’s is a beloved hot dog, hamburger, fries, and shake establishment in the North-East portion of the State of Tennessee known for it’s colorfully painted buildings and fiberglass hamburger, hotdog, and Milkshake cup sitting atop several Pals’ establishments.

Links:

Real Good Kitchen: https://therealgoodkitchen.com/

Pal’s: https://palsweb.com/

Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine:https://twitter.com/skilletsister?lang=en

Blount County Beekeepers Association: https://blountbees.wordpress.com/ Blount County Beekeeper Association Beginners course: https://blountbees.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/bcba-short-course-2021.pdf

Pictured in Real Good Kitchen is Founder of Real Good Kitchen Bailey Foster. Photo: Amy Campbell.

Pictured in Real Good Kitchen is Founder of Real Good Kitchen Bailey Foster. Photo: Amy Campbell.

Frederick Pal Barger at his desk at Pal’s World Headquarters. Photo: Fred Sauceman

Frederick Pal Barger at his desk at Pal’s World Headquarters. Photo: Fred Sauceman

Pal’s original location, Kingsport, TN. Photo: http://skycity2.blogspot.com

Pal’s original location, Kingsport, TN. Photo: http://skycity2.blogspot.com

A brightly painted Pals’ along with the fiberglass foods referenced in the podcast as seen on this Pal’s sudden service location. Photo: http://skycity2.blogspot.com

A brightly painted Pals’ along with the fiberglass foods referenced in the podcast as seen on this Pal’s sudden service location. Photo: http://skycity2.blogspot.com


Saving Seeds & Stories with John Coykendall

by Amy Campbell


Season 8, Episode 2. 1/9/2021

Saving Seeds & Stories with John Coykendall

Seed Saving & Stories with our ole seed saving pal John Coykendall of Knoxville, TN. John tells us how he became a seed saver, some of the varieties he has saved, where to find old time heirloom seed like the ones he saves, and shares some cute stories.

Knoxville native John Coykendall, Master Gardener and seed saver of heirloom seed shares some stories with Amy.  John tells us how he became a seed saver, some of the varieties he has saved, where to find old time heirloom seed like the ones he saves, and shares some cute stories.Amy and John worked in the garden at Blackberry Farm together in 2007 where Amy learned from John the importance of these heirloom seed.  Many of the varieties that he has saved can be purchased at http://www.seedsavers.org/

John Coykendall on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.coykendall.3
John Coykendall documentary: https://www.lpb.org/programs/deeply-rooted-john-coykendalls-journey-to-save-our-seeds-and-stories

John Coykendall book: https://lsupress.org/books/detail/preserving-our-roots/

Fred Sauceman “Pot Luck Radio”: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Seed Savers Exchange (John Coykendall has donated seed to Seed Savers Exchange, this is a source for numerous varieties of heirloom seed : https://www.seedsavers.org/

Blount County Seed Library Details: http://www.blountlibrary.org/1464/Seed-Library

John Coykendall signing his book.

John Coykendall signing his book.


Thomas Williams, Uses Food for Good

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 38, 12/26/2020

Thomas Williams, Uses Food for Good

In this show we visit with Thomas Williams - a Nashville Native who is heavily involved in the business of helping his community through food. And in these times of trouble that we are all living in right now, I thought it would be good to feature this story and how together we can really help to make our communities better. Fred Sauceman  features a couple from Jonesboro TN who make a well traveled egg nog with a taste of Kentucky in his Pot Luck Radio series. Thank you so much for tuning in today, I really appreciate your good company 

As a response to the devastating floods that affected Nashville in 2010, Thomas Williams along with several of his chef friends created fundraiser dinners, later named Nourish Dinners that raised money for the Community Resource Center, and Mobile Loaves and Fishes in Nashville and over the years, Mobile Meals and Fishes has become the Nashville Food Project. These fundraising dinners and are still going and have raised over a million and a half dollars for The Nashville Food Project. The Nashville Food Project and their Mission is to provide fresh, nutritious food to Nashville’s working poor and homeless communities. In this show today, we speak more on the positive impact the Nashville Food Project has on the Nashville Community.
Links:
Thomas Williams, Cornbread Consulting: http://cornbreadconsulting.com/
The Nashville Food Project: https://www.thenashvillefoodproject.org/
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Good luck food recipes:


Asian Noodles & Greens from Mary ‘Dee Dee” Constantine (Retired Food writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel):

Ingredients:
Angel Hair pasta (or any long noodles you would like to use)
Fresh, washed Collard greens
Sesame Oil
Olive Oil
sesame seed
Salt
Red Papper Flakes

Directions:
Bring pasta to a boil and add collards to boiling water and leave in there until pasta is cooked.
In a large, separate pan, saute mushrooms in a little bit of olive oil and soy sauce.
Drain pasta and collards.
Add drained pasta and collards to the pan with the mushrooms.
Sprinkle with Sesame Oil, Sesame seed, a little salt, some red pepper flakes for a kick and serve warm.

……………
“Smoky Mountain Sushi Recipe TM”, by Amy Campbell from The Tennessee Farm Table Podcast & Broadcast (www.TennesseeFarmTable.com)

* Link to video of Amy demonstrating how to make “Smoky Mountain Sushi” on WBIR Channel 10 Television Live at 5 at 4. https://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/five-at-four/on-a-roll-try-this-smoky-mountain-sushi/51-af11d72c-992f-4034-aef9-6888dca4f54d


“Smoky Mountain Sushi”  - an appetizer I made for New Year’s Day, but had such a favorable response to this recipe on social media, I have decided to demonstrate this as an “any time appetizer with an Appalachian Smoky Mountain Flare”. (This is not made with fish, but rather, made with country ham, sautéed collard greens, and black eyed peas) Yield: 20 rolls

 Ingredients:
- One bunch of fresh collard greens

 - 10 slices of prosciutto (which is extremely thin sliced country ham) - You can buy prosciuttos in lots of different places, but the better prosciutto is well aged. And I like to use Allan Benton’s - because it is well aged, and produced right down the road in Madisonville, TN. 

 - Black eyes peas, either canned, or cooked from dry. (You will need 1 cup for every 20 rolls)

Directions:
- Triple wash the collard greens to remove all sand, shake dry, set aside on dry towel.

 - Lay out your ingredients in a “work area” or a large cutting board.

 - Cut each slice of Prosciutto across widest part so you end up with 2 “half moon” sheets per piece of prosciutto. (buy as many slices as you need for the crew you are preparing these for. Each slice of Prosciutto will yield 2 rolls)

 -  Place 1 cup prepared black eyed peas out on your work area.

 - Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a small sautéed pan, and quickly sautéed for 12 - 3 minutes chopped collard greens in oil. Do this quickly, so they do NOT loose their vibrant green color, remove from pan and set aside on work surface.

To Assemble:

 - On each 1/2 slice of Prosciutto, place about 1 tsp of black eyed peas.

- Place 1 tsp sautéed collard greens.

- Fold up up ends to keep stuffing contained and root up like a little egg roll. Place seam side down so they don’t “unroll”

- Place on a pretty dish and serve.

These can be made a day in advance, can be served at room temperature, and are not fussy! Enjoy!

…………….

Vasillopita Cake Recipe link: Recipe from Krystina Castella and photography from Renee Anjanette Photography: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vasilopita-361412

Amy and Thomas Williams photographed in Nashville, 2019.

Amy and Thomas Williams photographed in Nashville, 2019.


Squirrel, a Traditional Appalachian Food.

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 37, 12/19/2020

Squirrel, a Traditional Appalachian Food. In this episode, Amy is setting the table with “Squirrel”.

Rachel and John Davis of Blount County, TN on how to cook Squirrel Dumplings.

A story from singer, songwriter Shawn Camp on growing up in Arkansas and his Grandpa, and eating squirrel. Shawn has also given me permission to include the song he co-wrote along with Tim Mensy “The Grandpa That I Know” to include in this episode.

Fred Saucemna’s “Potluck Radio” series Fred features the Lodge Cast Iron Black Lock, lightweight, triple pre-seasoned line. (Lodge does not advertise with this show).

Links:
Davis Family: https://jandrfarmstn.com/
Shawn Camp: https://www.facebook.com/shawncampofficial/
Tim Mesey: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1371508-Tim-Mensy
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman
Squirrel recipes
: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/recipes/all?field_ingredient_tid=5844 http://cookingwithserena.com/canned-squirrel/

Pictured is Rachel Davis who shares how she makes squirrel dumplings. Find Rachel’s blog at: https://jandrfarmstn.com/

Pictured is Rachel Davis who shares how she makes squirrel dumplings. Find Rachel’s blog at: https://jandrfarmstn.com/


“Candy, made in Tennessee & Southern Virginia”

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 36, 12/12/2020

“Candy, made in Tennessee & Southern Virginia”

Today we are setting the table with Candy with several guests.

Jessi Baker co-creator and owner of Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yee-Haw Brewing, 6th and Peabody Nashville, and cookbook Author shares a short story on how her Grandparents created “The Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen” in 1952 in Gatlinburg TN.

Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine presents a short story about Shirley McMurtrie of Union County and Shirley’s way of dry canning black walnuts along with Shirley’s black walnut candy recipe.

Fred Sauceman presents his “Pot Luck Radio” series with a feature on Helm’s Candy of Bristol Virginia.

Tammy Smith of Savannah, GA shares 2 old family stories by way of her Daddy involving a raccoon for dinner and a hog’s head story from her Marcum Grandpa, her Daddy, and her mother Lula Davenport Marcum. Her Mother Lula was cousin to 1992 National Heritage Fellow, Old-time fiddler and banjo player Clyde Davenport. Lula herself picked the banjo.

Links:
Jessi Baker: https://jessishines.com/
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen: https://olesmokycandykitchen.com/
Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine: https://twitter.com/skilletsister?lang=en
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman
Tammy Smith: Upon request
Clyde Davenport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Davenport

Joe & Jessi Baker interviewed by Amy at 6th and Peabody Nashville in 2019. Photo: Amy.

Joe & Jessi Baker interviewed by Amy at 6th and Peabody Nashville in 2019. Photo: Amy.

Image from the Ole Smokey Candy Kitchen website: https://olesmokycandykitchen.com/

Image from the Ole Smokey Candy Kitchen website: https://olesmokycandykitchen.com/

Picture of Shirley McMurtrie processing black walnuts at her home in Union County. Photo provided by Knoxville News Sentinel.

Picture of Shirley McMurtrie processing black walnuts at her home in Union County. Photo provided by Knoxville News Sentinel.

Candy being pored at Helms Candy Company, Bristol Virginia. Photo: Larry Smith.

Candy being pored at Helms Candy Company, Bristol Virginia. Photo: Larry Smith.

Helms Candy Company headquarters, Bristol Virginia. Photo: Larry Smith.

Helms Candy Company headquarters, Bristol Virginia. Photo: Larry Smith.

Grandpa John Marcum. Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

Grandpa John Marcum. Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

James Marcum and Lula Davenport Marcum (banjo picker and cousin to Clyde Davenport). Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

James Marcum and Lula Davenport Marcum (banjo picker and cousin to Clyde Davenport). Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

Tammy Smith & Amy buddies since the mid 1980s photographed in 2017. Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

Tammy Smith & Amy buddies since the mid 1980s photographed in 2017. Photo: Tammy Marcum Smith.

Portrait of 1992 National Heritage Fellow Clyde Davenport by Tom Pich.

Portrait of 1992 National Heritage Fellow Clyde Davenport by Tom Pich.


Why Pinto Beans with 2 time James Beard award winning food writer Ronni Lundy

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 35, 12/05/2020

Why Pinto Beans with 2 time James Beard award winning food writer Ronni Lundy

Today we are setting the table with 2 Christmas recipes and stories about soup beans. The happily retired former food writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine will share a recipe for warm mulled cider. In Fred Sauceman’s Pot luck radio segment, he shares a story about a festive red and green pear salad. Ronni Lundy sheds light on the question “Why do we all eat pinto beans”? And seed saver John Coykendall shares a cute little story about a young man who was tired of eating beans. 

Links: 
Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine: @Skilletsister
John Coykendall (Seed Saver): https://www.facebook.com/john.coykendall.3
John Coykendall’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Preserving-Our-Roots-Journey-Southern/dp/0807170364
David Corbin’s Book “Life, Work, and Rebellion in the Coal Fields”:  https://www.amazon.com/Life-Work-Rebellion-Coal-Fields/dp/0252008952
Ronni Lundy - 2 time James Beard Award winning food writer: http://www.ronnilundy.com/
Award winning food writer, Sheri Castle: https://www.shericastle.com/
Fred Sauceman - Senior Writer, Associate Professor of Appalachian studies ETSU, News Director WETS, Johnson City, Tennessee: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

A variety of heirloom bean and peas on display at the Blount County Public Library which is home to the Blount County Public Library Seed Library. This display and collection are part of the ongoing seed saving work of Ashley Valentine and seed save…

A variety of heirloom bean and peas on display at the Blount County Public Library which is home to the Blount County Public Library Seed Library. This display and collection are part of the ongoing seed saving work of Ashley Valentine and seed saver John Coykendall. Photo Amy Campbell.


Sorghum with Ronni Lundy, Fred Sauceman, Matt Gallagher & Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine

by Amy Campbell


Sotghum maker Mike Fleenor

Sotghum maker Mike Fleenor

Season 7, Episode 35. 11,28.2020

Sorghum with Ronni Lundy, Fred Sauceman, Matt Gallagher & Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine

Today, we are setting the table with Sorghum, an ancient African Grass adopted to the southern table with a cast of characters including:

Fred Sauceman shares a segment with Dr Mike Fleenor, Sorghum Maker.

Ronni Lundy, 2 x James Beard award winning food writer on differences between sorghum and molasses.

Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine shares a recipe for Butternut Squash and Apple Bake using a recipe from Ronni Lundy’s book “Sorghum Savor”.

Chef Matt Gallagher: On the topic of biscuits and Sorghum butter.


Links:

Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Ronni Lundy: https://lisaekus.com/people/ronni-lundy/

Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine: @skilletsister

Chef Matt Gallagher: Knoxville Chef Matt Gallaher of Knox Mason and Emillia Restaurants in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.     


Tennessee Pumpkin Pie with James Gann & Haylee Donahue

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 34. 11/21/2020

Tennessee Pumpkin Pie

With guests James Gann of Townsend Tennessee, the specific type of pumpkin he grows and his pumpkin pie that won a ribbon at the Blue Ribbon Country Fair at the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee. 

We also will be joined by Haylee Donahue who also is an East, TN resident, from Maryville, TN. She’ll share with us her recipe for gluten free, dairy free pumpkin pie that is absolutely delicious.. She will also let us know how you process the pumpkin from it’s original form into a puree to make pies with. 

In Fred Sauceman’s Pot Luck Radio series New York Times Novelist Adriana Trigiani shares autumn memories of growing in up in Big Stone Gap, and a little story involving the late actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Links:
Adriana Trigiani: https://adrianatrigiani.com/
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Recipe from Haylee Donahue’s gluten free, dairy free pumpkin pie:
(Makes a double batch)

Ingredients:
2 cups pumpkin puree
12 ounces of coconut milk for dairy free pie. Or, instead of the coconut milk, use 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk instead if you do not mind dairy.
3 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1, 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 deep dish pie shells (Haylee used the gluten free pie shells from the grocery store)

Directions:
Mix together sugar, salt, spice, and eggs in a bowl.
Add pumpkin puree and almond milk.
Pour into pie shell.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes (test with a tooth pick, if the tooth pick comes out clean, it is ready to remove from oven)

James Gann with his prize winning pumpkin pie at the Blue Ribbon Country Fair, Townsend, Tennessee.

James Gann with his prize winning pumpkin pie at the Blue Ribbon Country Fair, Townsend, Tennessee.

Haylee Giebudowski holding a field pumpkin that we grew in our garden. Her Grandfather’s beehives are in the background.

Haylee Giebudowski holding a field pumpkin that we grew in our garden. Her Grandfather’s beehives are in the background.


Cushaw Squash - Native American Roots & Recipes & how to cook this huge squash!

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 33. November 14, 2020

Cushaw Squash - Native American Roots & Recipes & how to cook this huge squash!

Today, we are setting the table with cushaw squash. It is a squash found at roadside stands, and farmers’ markets in the South East, Western states and throughout the mountain south. My guests today regale the cushaw for it’s culinary properties with recipes. This squash is a large size squash with green stripes on a cream colored background.
Fred and Jill Sauceman of Johnson City, Tennessee share how they bake an entire cushaw without peeling it in the oven.
Fred Sauceman also shares historic information of the cushaw and it’s roots in Native American culinary traditions. He also shares a recipe for “Cushaw Custard”.
Amy shares 2 recipes from Nadalyn Larson for “Stewed Cushaw”, and “Cushaw Coffee Cake.” These recipes are posted on her sister’s food blog and are inspired from their Mother Sally. The link for MJ’s blog in right below.

Links to guests:
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman
Fred Sauceman, a native of Greeneville, Tennessee, is senior writer, associate professor of Appalachian Studies, and news director for WETS-FM at East Tennessee State University. He has written and edited seven books in the fields of Appalachian and Southern food studies.
Jill Sauceman: @JillSauceman
Jill Sauceman, a native of Hiltons, Virginia, earned her degree in Public Health from East Tennessee State University and did graduate work in Accounting. She has worked in accounting and historic preservation and for the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee.

For a link to the food blog where the recipes for “Stewed Cushaw” and “Cushaw Coffee Cake” can be found, it is called MJ’s Kitchen, and the recipes where authored by MJ’s sister Nadyln Larson. https://mjskitchen.com/2013/01/stewed-cushaw-and-cushaw-cake/ 

Nadyln Larson with her Mother Sally.

Nadyln Larson with her Mother Sally.

Stewed Cushaw. Recipe authored by Nadalyn Larson. Photo MJ’sKitchen https://mjskitchen.com/

Stewed Cushaw. Recipe authored by Nadalyn Larson. Photo MJ’sKitchen https://mjskitchen.com/

Cushaw Coffee Cake. Recipe authored by Nadalyn Larson.  Photo MJ’s Kitchen https://mjskitchen.com/

Cushaw Coffee Cake. Recipe authored by Nadalyn Larson. Photo MJ’s Kitchen https://mjskitchen.com/

Stewed Cushaw

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hr 15 minutes

Course: Side Dish, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Southern US
Yields: 8 cups (about)
Recipe Author: Nadalyn Larsen

Ingredients:

1 cushaw, Any size
Water
Salt to taste, probably about a generous tablespoon
2 tablespoons to a ¼ cup of sugar*
Half a stick of butter.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the squash by removing the neck first, peel and cut it into large cubes (about   1").
2. Transfer to a large Dutch oven or other large pot.
3. Cut the remaining bulb portion in half and remove the seeds and scrape the inside as you would when cleaning a pumpkin.
4. Peel and cut into small cubes and add to the pot.
5. Add only enough water to fill about half the volume of the squash in the pot.
6. Cover and cook on medium to high heat, removing the lid occasionally to stir, making sure that all the pieces get into the water to cook.
7. After about 30 minutes, remove the lid and allow some of the water to evaporate. Stir frequently until the squash is tender enough to be mashed with a potato masher.
8. When the flesh is tender, drain off as much liquid as possible. Return to the pot over a low heat. Mash with a potato masher and add the salt, sugar and butter. Stir to combine well and to evaporate off more of the moisture until the pulp is creamy.
9. Serve piping hot.
10. Refrigerate leftovers in a closed container.

Kitchen Notes:

You want just enough water in the pot to stew the squash. Most of the water will evaporate during the stewing process. Younger squash will take longer to cook (about 40 to 45 minutes) than older squash which have set for a few weeks before cooking. Just keep checking it and when the chunks are easily pierced with a fork, then it’s done.

When adding sugar to the stewed and mashed cushaw meat, start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed until it is as sweet as you like. The amount you use also depends on the cushaw itself. Some are sweeter than others. The last one I cooked was the tartest I have ever made, so it took more sugar. Remember, it is a vegetable so you don’t want it as sweet as a dessert.

Cushaw Coffee Cake

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Course: bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: Southern US
Yields: 1 loaf
Recipe Author: Nadalyn Larsen

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup leftover mashed, stewed cushaw

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour*

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup, at room temperature

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • ½ cup light brown sugar

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 large eggs

  • Oil or Crisco to grease the pan

Instructions:

  1. Preheat over to 350° F.

  2. Put cushaw in a strainer or sieve to remove excess moisture. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

  4. In a bowl large enough to eventually hold all the ingredients, beat together the butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium or low.

  5. Add the eggs and vanilla and blend until smooth. Blend in the cushaw.

  6. Add the dry ingredients to the cushaw mixture a little at a time. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. It should be fairly thick.

  7. Pour the batter into a well-greased or oiled 9 inch loaf pan.

  8. Bake for about an hour and ten minutes or until a thin wooden stick (I use a chopstick) comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.

  9. Leave the cake in the pan and cool on a baking rack for about 20 minutes.

  10. Remove the cake from the pan and let it finish cooling on the baking rack.

Kitchen Notes:

As with many cakes, this one tastes great served warm, but to me it tastes even better the next day eaten cold or at room temperature. It stays moist unrefrigerated for several days when covered in plastic wrap.

 I didn’t use spices as you normally would in similar cakes made from pumpkin or sweet potatoes, because the cushaw has a more delicate flavor. If you like more of a coffee cake flavor, add ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg. I have made it this way several times and it is very good. My husband loves it with the spices but the rest of us like the plain jane cake.

You can also add nuts if you like. I recommend pecans or walnuts because their flavors don’t detract from the flavor of the cushaw. I suggest that you chop the nut meat into small pieces and add it to the batter. With a house full of folks with nut allergies I don’t usually add nuts.

 To rewarm, you can microwave a generous slice for no more than 20 seconds.


“Apple Butter Making in Appalachia”

by Amy Campbell


Derek Blankenship and daughter making apple butter.

Derek Blankenship and daughter making apple butter.

Canning the Apple Butter is a family event.

Canning the Apple Butter is a family event.

Derek Blankenship and family canning Apple Butter.

Derek Blankenship and family canning Apple Butter.

Season 7, Episode 32. November 7, 2020.

“Apple Butter Making in Appalachia”

Today, we are setting the table with a traditional food of Appalachia “Apple Butter”. Each year in the fall time of the Mountain South, you can find pockets of people who get together, and cook down bushels of apples, sugar and sometimes cinnamon into this biscuit slathering favorite. It is one of those old fashioned foods that is still a favorite on dinner tables near and far, and makes a favorite gift  for the holidays. Almost as important as the final product is the sense of community and preservation of culinary traditions that these “Apple Butter makings” preserve. 

Amy also shares a recipe for “Apple Butter Pork Roast”, and Fred Sauceman shares a segment of Apple Butter making in the Mountain South, and a recipe for sausage balls with apple butter. 

Information and links to guests of the show:
Derek Blankenship, OT, at an East, Tennessee long term health and heath care facility. He and his family keep a family tradition of making apple butter each year at this time of the year in Fall Branch, TN. The recipe that they use dates back to 1905.
Fred Sauceman - Professor of Appalachian Studies, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee with a
And also Amy shares a recipe for “Apple Butter Pork Roast” by way of “All Recipes”. 

Links:
Fred Sauceman: -https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman?fref=ts
Fall Branch Volunteer Fire Department: https://fallbranchvfd.org/


Apple Butter Pork Roast Recipe
Serves 6
Cook time: 3 hours
Prep time: 15 minutes

This recipe was found on the website: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/60492/apple-butter-pork-loin/

Ingredients:
2, 2 pound boneless pork loin roast (for a total of 4 pounds)
seasoning salt to taste2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 c brown sugar
2 Tb water1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350

Step 2: Season the pork loins with seasoning salt, and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish or small roasting pan. Pour apple juice over the pork, and cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 3: Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. While the pork is roasting, mix together the apple butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and cloves. Remove pork roasts from the oven, and spread with apple butter mixture.

Step 4: Cover, and return to the oven for 2 hours, or until fork-tender.


Allan Benton's Tennessee Country Ham "Prosciutto", made in Madisonville, Tennessee

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 32. October 31, 2020.  *This show also aired on WUTC radio, Chattanooga, TN on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

ALLAN BENTON'S TENNESSEE COUNTRY HAM "PROSCIUTTO", MADE IN MADISONVILLE, TENNESSEE

On the show today, we are setting the table with Country Ham, and how through the dry aged process, and sliced paper thin, is then called “Prosciutto. Our guests on the show today is Allan Benton, of Madisonville, TN - he shares his story on how he learned what the word Prosciutto meant, and how he positioned his product to the world of fine dining - and now, his prosciutto goes to to tow with some of the most expensive, and well known high dollar prosciuttos from all over the world. And Allan Benton’s dry aged, country hams are produced right down the road, in East, Tennessee. 

Amy will also share with you a delicious recipe for a easy to make appetizer that I have named “Smoky Mountain Sushi” - It is not made with seafood, but rather country, ham, collard greens and black eyed peas. It would be a mighty easy crowd pleaser for those super bowl parties. 

We also get to hear from Fred Sauceman with Fred’s “Pot Luck Radio Segment”. This one features sisters “Joyce and Nancy McCarrell” who until the end of 2018 ran the restaurant at Traveler’s Restaurant in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina. 

Links:
Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams
: https://bentonscountryhams2.com

Fred Sauceman, maker of the “Pot Luck Radio” segment: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman
Recipe for Smoky Mountain Sushi: Please keep scrolling 

“Smoky Mountain Sushi” cooking demo video: Here is a link to my Television cooking demo on WBIR TV10: https://www.wbir.com/article/life/food/recipes/smoky-mountain-sushi/51-e7fad395-ee34-42e8-9c07-dc5d4cb7b25b

Emi Sunshine sings our theme song: http://theemisunshine.com/

Photo ID:

Allan Benton at his desk, Madisonville, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell. https://bentonscountryhams2.com/

Fred Sauceman’s “Pot Luck Radio Segment” features sisters “Joyce and Nancy McCarroll” who until the end of 2018 ran the restaurant at Traveler’s Restaurant in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina.

Picture of Amy Campbell’s recipe “Smoky Mountain Sushi TM”. Recipe follows below.

Allan Benton standing outside of his business establishment off of Highway 411, Madisonville, Tennessee. Allan refers to his place of business as “The Ham House”. 2020. Photo Elyin Mapp.

Allan Benton standing outside of his business establishment off of Highway 411, Madisonville, Tennessee. Allan refers to his place of business as “The Ham House”. 2020. Photo Elyin Mapp.

Picture of Amy Campbell’s recipe “Smoky Mountain Sushi TM”. Recipe follows below.

Picture of Amy Campbell’s recipe “Smoky Mountain Sushi TM”. Recipe follows below.

Fred Sauceman’s “Pot Luck Radio Segment” features sisters “Joyce and Nancy McCarroll” who until the end of 2018 ran the restaurant at Traveler’s Restaurant in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina.

Fred Sauceman’s “Pot Luck Radio Segment” features sisters “Joyce and Nancy McCarroll” who until the end of 2018 ran the restaurant at Traveler’s Restaurant in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina.

Amy Campbell’s recipe for “Smoky Mountain Sushi TM”.

Amy Campbell’s recipe for “Smoky Mountain Sushi TM”.


CHOCOLATE GRAVY WITH singer, songwriter Verlon Thompson

by Amy Campbell


Season 7, Episode 31. October 31,2020 (This show aired on 89.9. WDVX 10/31/2020)

Chocolate Gravy and Sausage Gravy. 

That is my featured subject of this episode of The Tennessee Farm Table Podcast & Broadcast.In this episode, we will be joined by singer songwriter Verlon Thompson, his food memory of chocolate gravy, and what it meant to him as a kid growing up in Oklahoma. In addition, we will also hear Verlin Thompson’s song “DinnerBell”.

I’ll share with you the recipe I use to make chocolate gravy - and you might be surprised, it really doesn’t have much fat in it. The recipe is also posted below.

And also, Fred Sauceman will share a segment today about the annual “Lord’s Acre Sale” at Hilton’s United Methodist Church in Scott County Virginia that in usual times takes place every year in normal non Covid 19 times.

Links to guests:
Verlin Thompson: https://www.verlonthompson.com/Century Harvest Farm Foundation,
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Chocolate Gravy Recipe

“Chocolate Gravy” is not exclusive to Appalachian cooking, but it is commonly associated with Southern Cooking. It is typically served over hot biscuits, some people would have this often, for others, only on special occasions. While it does have a good bit of white sugar, it doesn’t have as much fat as we usually associate with gravy. This recipe calls for 1 Tablespoon of butter at the end of the cooking process.

Ingredients:

1/4 c cocoa powder

3 T all purpose flour 

3/4 c white sugar

2 c milk

1 Tb soft butter

2 Tb Vanilla extract

Directions:

Whisk the cocoa, flour, and sugar together in a bowl until there are no lumps. Pour the milk into the mixture and whisk until well incorporated. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until its consistency is similar to gravy, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir the butter and vanilla into the mixture until the butter is melted. Serve immediately.

*Usually served over hot biscuits

Amy’s chocolate gravy. A note, this plate came from the former the former Harold’s Jewish Delicatessen. Harold’s Deli was a fixture of Gay Street in downtown Knoxville for over 1/2 a century. It was located at 131 S. Gay Street and closed in 2005. I…

Amy’s chocolate gravy. A note, this plate came from the former the former Harold’s Jewish Delicatessen. Harold’s Deli was a fixture of Gay Street in downtown Knoxville for over 1/2 a century. It was located at 131 S. Gay Street and closed in 2005. It was owned and operated by Harold and Addie Shersky. Harold and Addie were always friendly and hospitable. This deli was a gathering place for everyone. Addie died in 2003, and Harold died in 2008. Their memory lives on.

Amy, Verlon and Marc at a house concert where we all talked about Chocolate Gravy.

Amy, Verlon and Marc at a house concert where we all talked about Chocolate Gravy.

Andrea Roberts Lawson who is known as “Chief Gravy Maker” of the annual Lord’s Acre sale in Hiltons, Virginia. Photo from Fred Sauceman.

Andrea Roberts Lawson who is known as “Chief Gravy Maker” of the annual Lord’s Acre sale in Hiltons, Virginia. Photo from Fred Sauceman.


The Wild, Appalachian Persimmon

by Amy Campbell


This is a picture I took of my persimmon pie that I made for the Slow Food, Tennessee Valley Pie contest. I made the crust from crumbled ginger cookies and butter and a little bit of salt.  It took 4 hours to extract 1 cup of pulp from a bag of wild…

This is a picture I took of my persimmon pie that I made for the Slow Food, Tennessee Valley Pie contest. I made the crust from crumbled ginger cookies and butter and a little bit of salt. It took 4 hours to extract 1 cup of pulp from a bag of wild, Appalachian persimmons that we picked up under a persimmon tree I keep my eye on up the road.

Wild Appalachian Persimmon

Wild Appalachian Persimmon

Persimmon foecasting.jpg

Season 7, Episode 30, October 16, 24, 2020

“The Wild Appalachian Persimmon”

The Wild, Appalachian Persimmon, a biological perspective on the native Appalachian Persimmon tree and fruit with Charlie Kwit, Professor of Biology from University of Tennessee.- Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine with a recipe for Persimmon Bread by way of Morgan Simmons..-  Fred Sauceman with a “Pot Luck Radio” segment on Kentucky’s “Ale-1 8” soda pop - and Amy shares a recipe for persimmon pie by way of The Loveless Cafe, outside of Nashville. (Scroll down for recipe)


Links to Guests:
Professor of Biology Charlie Kwit: https://eeb.utk.edu/people/charles-kwit/Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.saucemanCrystal Wilson: https://www.facebook.com/turtlemountain.herbsMary “Dee Dee” Constantine:https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=dee%20dee%20constantineAvi Askey, Owner of Overhill Gardens: http://www.overhillgardens.com/Emi Sunshine: http://theemisunshine.com/

Persimmon Pie Recipe by way of tThe Loveless Cafe, outside Nashville:

Yield: 1, 9 inch pie, serves 6-8

Ingredients:1, 9 inch pie shell (partially baked)
1 c. persimmon puree *See notes below2/3 c. packed, dark brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 c. heavy cream
Optional: Whipped Cream

Directions:Preheat oven to 350
Place the pie shell on a sturdy pie sheet and set aside.
In a mixing bowel: 
- Whisk the persimmon puree, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together.
- Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time, and then the heavy cream.
- Pour the filling in the partially baked pie shell.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until “just set’.
- Let the pie cool completely before cutting.
- Serve plain or with a dollop of home-made whip cream.

Some helpful hints on getting that persimmon pulp:To prepare the persimmons prior to extracting pulp:
Wash these at least 3 times and remove the caps. 
Use a food mill to separate the pulp from the skin and seed. 
You can use a small knife to scrape the pulp from the persimmons as well, but, this takes a very long time when using the small, wild, Appalachian persimmons. It took me 4 hours to collect 1 c. of pulp. 

If using small wild Appalachian persimmons, you will need to gather about 4 cups of these. Make sure they are soft, and fully ripe and easily come off of the tree, or are found intact on the ground. You do not want to use them if they are not ripe. They taste very bitter if they are not ripe. You are pretty lucky if you can find intact, ripe persimmons on the ground because this is a favorite of wild animals.

If using the large, domesticated varieties that are found in the grocery stores, it will take about 4 of these. 

Save the seeds. Cut them length wise and look at the germ of the seed for winter weather forecasting. (See Amy’s illustration above)


Chef Trevor Stockton of R.T. Lodge & Farmer Adam Cottrill

by Amy Campbell


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Season 7, Episode 26, August 29, 2020

Chef Trevor Stockton of R.T. Lodge, and Farmer Adam Cottrill

This episode of The Tennessee Farm Table we visit with Farmer Adam Cottrill of Sugar Tree, and Chef Trevor Stockton, Executive Chef at the restaurant at R.T. Lodge. Minde Herbert of Afforably Organic shares tips on preserving corn and shares a recipe for a preservative, refined sugar, and thickener free corn casserole. Fred Sauceman’s Pot Luck Radio series features the blue cheese appetizer found at the famous Ridgewood BBQ of Bluff City, Tennessee.

Links:
Chef Trevor Stockton of R.T. Lodge in Maryville, TN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-stockton-00b538156/
Sugar Tree: “Not your average CSA”  Growing and delivering to chefs and individuals. Contact Adam Cottrill by email:  sugartree2020@gmail.com  Pictured: Adam Cottrill (Lower right) and his family, owners and stewards of the farm, Sugar Tree @sugartreegourmet
Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman
Minde Herbert, Affordably Organic: https://www.facebook.com/affordablyorganic/
Ridgewood BBQ: http://www.ridgewoodbbq.com/

Chef Trevor Stockton of R.T. Lodge in Maryville, TN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-stockton-00b538156/

Chef Trevor Stockton of R.T. Lodge in Maryville, TN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-stockton-00b538156/

Farmers Adam and Shelby Cottrill https://www.instagram.com/twofarmersintn/?hl=en of “Sugar Tree” Farm with family, Campbell County, TN.

Farmers Adam and Shelby Cottrill https://www.instagram.com/twofarmersintn/?hl=en of “Sugar Tree” Farm with family, Campbell County, TN.

Corn Pudding

Minde Herbert, Affordably Organic

Use organic ingredients whenever possible

 

1.5 cups of corn –fresh or canned kernels

2 tablespoons corn meal

2 tablespoons unbleached white whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup whole milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Smoked Paprika

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8 x 8 inch glass baking dish with butter. Set aside. 

In a small bowl mix together the milk and corn meal and set aside for 10 minutes. (This will give a smoother texture to your dish.) While that’s settling, in a large bowl, mix together corn, flour, baking powder, melted butter, honey, eggs and cheese. Add your corm meal and milk mixture to that and stir until just incorporated. Pour batter into prepared dish, sprinkle with paprika and bake until dark golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes.