Potatoes Parmigiano

Simple Perfection



I stepped out the front door at 2:45 and before I'd gotten half way down the stairs I was already sweating — at least to the degree that I sweat at all. Getting in the car took my breath away and when I started the car it reported the outside temperature as 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Figure in the humidity and it was 103. Figure in that I barely sweat however hot it is (my personal cooling system has never worked well) and it was probably close to 109 in terms of personal comfort. In the car itself it was probably a literal 130. Nasty, nasty, nasty weather.

But it was Friday and the farmers' market started in 15 minutes, so what choice did I have?

I bought chicken from Tracy who owns Laurel Creek Farms; a red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans from Earl and Laura Badgett; and Early Girl tomatoes from Donna.

I started the car and cranked the AC all the way up and within five minutes was comfortable again — at least for the next 10 minutes. Then it was back into the inferno. I bought chicken from Tracy who owns Laurel Creek Farms; a red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans from Earl and Laura Badgett; and Early Girl tomatoes from Donna. Donna has not only the best tomatoes, but the widest variety. In years past I've bought an assortment, but aside from a few easily recognizable varieties like Cherokee Purple or Green Zebra, I could never remember which was which when I got home. So this year I'm buying one variety at a time and making a note of what it is.

I also stopped at stall where a fellow was selling potatoes. Aside from the fact he had all his teeth, he was the epitome of a hillbilly. Long and lanky with a long gray beard that would make ZZ Top envious, he completed the picture by wearing overalls. He also had some of the prettiest little Yukon Golds I've ever seen.

There still don't seem to be any CSAs in this area, but the farmers' markets have come a long way in the past four years. There are now five to choose from, in fact on Saturday morning (when it's cooler) I have a choice of two, but they're further away than the market I usually go to. Finding anything other than the most common veggies was rare when I started shopping them, but the options seem to be increasing exponentially with each passing year.

At any rate, I bought a half dozen gorgeous 1 1/2-inch diameter potatoes and brought them home for dinner.

Potatoes Parmigiano
Serves 2.

6 baby potatoes (1 1/2" - 2" diameter)
3 tbsp shredded Parmigiano Reggiano
fruity olive oil
minced chives
salt and pepper

Boil potatoes until tender — about 15 minutes depending on size. Remove to a bowl, break up and mash lightly with a fork. Drizzle with oil. Add salt, pepper, chives, and cheese and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning and cheese. Serve immediately.

This is the essence of good food. Perfectly fresh potatoes that still taste of the dirt they grew in, excellent olive oil for mouth feel and richness, parmigiano (and it's natural MSG) to bring out the savor in the potatoes and oil, chives to add a hint of onion for complexity, pepper for a spicy floral note, and salt to brighten everything. Simple, quick, and easy to make up for the nasty heat.

Technorati: Food | recipe | kevin weeks | seriously good | potatoes | side dish | farmers market