You're in a warmer climate than I am, but I plant rutabagas in early spring (which is NOW, even though it feels like summer this year) and enjoy the greens as soon as they're big enough to eat. The greens are not good in the heat of summer, so I harvest some and leave some in the ground to use the greens when the weather turns cool again in the fall. Usually the bulbs from these early planted ones get too big and woody by fall, so these ones are for the delicious greens only. I plant them again in early to mid July (I'm in zone 5 because of altitude, not because of being north, and I think in the south the sun is too low in August to get anything like a root crop to grow well--in my experience anyway). These bulb up by fall, and they are best harvested after at least two hard frosts. Some of them I put mulch over and use them in mid winter. If I also cover them with agribon, I'll have greens to eat all winter too. (If I don't cover them, someone else eats the delicious greens!) Harvest before they start to grow again in the spring. So I say plant now, plant later, and enjoy! My favorite rutabaga recipe: peel, chop, steam about 2 lbs. Can add one small potato if you want. Mash with 2T butter, 2T milk or cream, 1T maple syrup, salt and pepper, freshly ground nutmeg.

Rhizo, my turnip puff recipe is delicious. For the record, I call it "turnip" puff but it's made with rutabagas. I call rutabagas, turnips. Are you confused yet? LOL Turnip Puff 6 cups cubed turnips 2 tbsp. butter 2 eggs, beaten 3 tbsp. flour 1 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder salt and pepper and nutmeg to taste 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs 2 tbsp. butter, melted Cook turnip until tender. Drain and mash. Add butter and eggs. Beat well. (this much can be done the day ahead.) Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir into turnips. Butter a casserole and put in turnip mixture; combine crumbs and butter. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 375 F for 25 minutes or until light brown.

I got this from here, I think, years and years ago. It's the BEST! Leila's Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Makes approximately 8 servings This wonderful fried chicken was prepared for my family by Leila - an amazing woman who worked for us and practically raised my brother and I up from pups. It is full of delicious flavor and has the kind of crispy coating that you'll never forget. It is also fried chicken, so nowadays it's something that is served for special occasions only! 3-4 pounds cut-up frying chicken 2 cups buttermilk 2 cups self-rising flour Ground black pepper, to taste Paprika, to taste Garlic powder, to taste Vegetable oil for frying Step 1 - Cut your chicken into parts and wash well. Place in a large bowl and pour buttermilk over. Allow to sit for at least an hour. Step 2 - Mix and sift together flour, black pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Step 3 - Pour enough oil in a large, cast iron skillet to fill it about an inch deep. Heat to 375 degrees. Use a thermometer to carefully regulate the temperature and prevent the oil from burning. Step 4 - Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk and shake to remove the excess. Dredge in the seasoned flour. Step 5 - Drop pieces in the hot oil, four at a time. Do not crowd, as this will reduce the temperature of the oil and cause the chicken to absorb more grease. I like starting with dark meat pieces first and saving the white meat for the last. Cook each piece six minutes per side. Turn when the underside is nice and brown. To ensure doneness, cut a small hole in the thickest part - the juices should run clear. Step 6 - Serve and enjoy - either hot from the pan or room temperature! Despite some of the nutritional counts of this recipe, it is practically unbeatable for bringing back the taste (and smell) of home.

We love to try new things on the grill. Most of my recipes are from Steve Raichlen (I have 3 of his books). We probably do "beer can chicken" the most; sometimes with wine. We also love to just set mussels and clams on the grill and when they open we baste with herb butter. This we don't make often, but it is a show stopper and goes well with pork loin. Barbecued Cabbage (whole) ========================= 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 4 slices bacon (1/4 pound), cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slivers 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 medium-size green cabbage (about 2 pounds) 1/4 cup of your favorite Barbecue Sauce Coarse salt and black pepper 1. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and onion and cook until just beginning to brown. Drain the bacon and onion in a strainer over a bowl and reserve the drippings. Crumble a piece of aluminum foil and shape it into a ring about 3 inches in diameter (the cabbage will "sit" on this). 2. Cut the core out of the cabbage and discard. Cut the remaining butter into dice. Stir the bbq sauce into the bacon and onion mixture. Prop the cabbage up right on the aluminum foil ring, cavity facing up. Place the bacon and onion mixture in the cavity and top with as many pieces of butter as will fit. Using a basting brush, paint the outside of the cabbage with bacon drippings. Season the cabbage lightly with salt and generously with pepper. 3. If using a gas grill, place wood chips in the smoker box or make a pouch and preheat on high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium. 4. Place the cabbage on its aluminun foil ring in the center of the hot grate away from the heat - you want indirect heat. 5. Grill the cabbage until very tender (when done it will be easy to pierce with a skewer), 1 to 1/2 hours. To serve, peel off any dired-out or charred outside leaves and discard. Cut the cabbage into wedges and serve. This one makes a great presentation - it is so easy. We like to do these as an appetizer for guests - they take only minutes once they are prepped. Rosemary-Grilled Scallops ========================= 1 2/3 pounds sea scallops 28 to 32 rosemary sprigs (each 3 to 4 inches long) 3 ounces prosciutto, sliced paper-thin 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or basil oil 1 lemon, cut in wedges Caorse salt and black pepper 1. Pull off and discard the muscles if they have it. Rinse and blot dry. Strip the bottom leaves off the rosemary sprigs. Cut the prosciutto into strips just large enough to wrap around the scallops (about 3/4 by 3/2 inches). 2. Lay scallop flat on your work surface. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around it and skewer it with a rosemary sprig. Arrange the scallops on a plate or in a a nonreactive baking dish. Drizzle with oil over both sides of the scallops, squeeze lemon juice over them, and season with salt and pepper (easy on the salt, as the prosciutto is fairely salty). Let marinate for 15 minutes while you light the grill. 3. Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to hight. Brush and oil the grill grate. Place the skewered scallops on the hot grate and grill until cooked, 2 to 3 minutes per side. The scallops are done when they turn white and feel firm. This we make often: Ginger-Soy London Broil ======================= 1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks 4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 1/4 cup dry red wine 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 flank steak (1/2 to 2 pounds) 1. Prepare the marinade: Place the ginger, onion, garlic, and cilantro in a food processor and process until a smooth paste forms. Add the wine, soy sauce, oil and pepper and process to combine. 2. Place the steak in a baking dish just large enough to hold it and spread the marinade over it. Let marinate in the refrgerator, covered, for at least 4 hours, ideally 6 hours, or even overnight, turning the steak a few times. 3. Set up grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. Brush and oil the grill grate. Remove steak and drain well. Place the steak on the hot grate and grill, 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare, 2 minutes more per side for medium, rotating the steak 90 degrees after 3 minutes if a crosshatch of grill marks is desired. Let rest for 5 minutes. Using a sharp knife, carve it into broad think slices, holding the knife blade at a 45 degree angle to the top of meat. I have more - I will have to come back later. Grilled Eggplant with Caprese Salsa and Yagatori Chicken.