Mrs. West

I hope you had ladies like this in your childhood. The patient grandmotherly ones who let you come over to their house and helped you make ugly pillows for your mom for her birthday. (Trust, me not all that's vintage is good.)

Mrs. West is standing in the back row with a green apron on. She lived alone in her little house just up the street from our rambunctious yard. It was quiet there, and she was a good listener. I don't remember a single one of our conversations, but she loved on me like I was one of her own grandkids. And every time her grandkids came to town, they came over to roller-skate in our driveway and play Barbies.

Great times.

So, in honor of all the gardeners who have a surfeit of zucchini this time of year...here's Mrs. West's recipe.

Zucchini Cakes

2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
1/8 t. pepper (freshly ground)
1 t. salt
2 c. grated zucchini
(I added 2 T. grated red onion)

Mix in order. Fry in butter or drippings. Makes 8 or 10 cakes. Can be refrigerated a couple of days. (Are delicious crisp.)

Grocery list here.