Lightkeeper's Journal

Bird Watcher's Zucchini in a Cast Iron Skillet

 

         The Red-winged Blackbirds have arrived, thanks to migration and cooler weather.  

In this picture, there are approximately 42 (mostly male) birds.  

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Recipe by Curtis Beaird

 

Since migration is in full swing and birdwatching is even more exciting right now, we need to keep our energy up with some great recipes.  One really tasty recipe is Bird Watcher's Zucchini.  Now....why the name Bird Watcher's Zucchini?  Because, just like Bird Watcher's Guacamole and the Bird Watcher's Power Breakfast, it is bird watchers who are cooking the dish! 

Curtis has come up with a fabulous way to cook zucchini in a cast iron skillet and we want to share the recipe with you, our fellow bird watchers!   It's healthy, but best of all, it tastes great!

Bird Watcher’s Zucchini in a Cast Iron Skillet  

 

Ingredients:

---Smaller Zucchini cut up in about 1/4 inch rounds or a little thicker 

---The smaller Zucchini, the more they can stand the intense heat without breaking down & becoming too soft

---Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

---Organic Naturally Refined Coconut Oil (for Medium to High Heat)

---Half a tablespoon of Sesame Seed Oil 

---Sea Salt

---Freshly Ground Malabar Pepper 

---Old Thompson's Orange & Lemon Pepper  

And now.....for the fun part! 

Before the zucchini are placed in the cast iron skillet, add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and Sesame Seed Oil to cover the bottom of the skillet.

While the skillet is warming up to medium—medium high, add about three twists of the Sea Salt.  Carefully place the zucchini in the oil. 

Add Old Thompson’s Orange & Lemon Pepper, plus more Sea Salt and freshly ground Malabar Pepper (to your liking).  

The zucchini are cooked only on one side.   They’ll cook in less than five minutes.  The goal is to leave some crunch in the zucchini and not turn it to mush.  Check a few of the zucchini to see which ones have turned brown.  Once they’re turning brown, they are done.  

Then, flip the zucchini and heat and steam the other side.  Don’t brown both sides so that you won’t have mushy zucchini.  

Here it is....some of the best Bird Watcher's Zucchini in the world!  

Now this is some good eatin’!! 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.   

Cardinal Climbers are Climbing & Attracting Visitors

 

The amazing Cardinal Climber vine will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.  In this picture, you can see the pollen on the lovely bright red flower.  

 

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

Story and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

We planted the Cardinal Climber seeds in mid May.  It takes approximately 90+ days for the flower to bloom.  It does take a while, but it's well worth it.  We actually over-planted the seeds so that we would have an explosion of red blooms.  We also planted late because we were attempting to time it just right for Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration.  During this time of year, birds are flying south to their winter location.

   

A Cloudless Sulphur butterflylands on the Cardinal Climber.  

Butterflies love the Cardinal Climber!  

We see these little yellow treasures flying all over the yard and all over the Cardinal Climber.  

 

Every day, we walk outside to see more blooms!

Cardinal Climbers are native to North America, Asia, South Africa and the West Indies.  They are members of the Morning Glory family.  The South is the perfect place for planting Cardinal Climbers.  Cardinal Climber plants need full sun to reach their full potential.  They prefer rich, well drained soils, and they need to be watered frequently during dry periods.

 

And, the moment finally arrived.  

There she was....

a beautiful and young Ruby-throated Hummingbird female.  She is friendly and excited to see the abundance of Cardinal Climber blooms.  She has been a regular visitor for several days! 

 

We love to have fun and experiment with our photography.  In this picture, we had sprayed the Cardinal Climbers with a fine mist of water.  We were very careful to use a fine mist.  This created little water droplets that add a unique dimension to the picture.  

 

 

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds,

migration fills the skies,

with yellow Cloudless Sulphurs,

and the many butterflies.

 

They fly south for the winter,

'cause the chill is coming soon,

We hope they stop and visit us,

They know that we have room.

 

For in the yard, we're ready,

with the Cardinal Climber vine,

our flying friends are welcome,

to come visit us sometime. 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.