Hodge Podge

Yep, another Nova Scotia dish with a funny name. This one is all about the first vegetables of summer.

My dad used to make this for us. I used the recipe from Traditional Recipes of Atlantic Canada, but it’s also in Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens.

Ingredients

6 cups of fresh vegetables:
New potatoes
Shelled peas
New carrots
Green beans
Snap peas
Cauliflower

1/4 lb salt pork, diced (I used bacon)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper

Instructions

Cut the vegetables into moderately-sized pieces. Cook the vegetables in salted boiling water, adding them according to cooking time. Drain, but reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. 

Fry the salt pork (or bacon) and onion in a pan. Add the cream, butter, cooking liquid, salt and pepper. 

Place vegetables into a warm serving dish, and pour cream and salt pork mixture over them. 

Every time I see fresh peas at the market, this is the dish I immediately think of making. It’s all the fresh veggies, but better (see above re: cream and salt pork).

Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I can even get salt pork on this coast. I used bacon instead.

The verdict

One of my favourite early summer dishes. So easy, and such a treat of fresh veggies.