Anastasia Oxendine

Summer means gardens are overflowing! If you suddenly find yourself with more peppers than you know what to do with, try this! It's great on crackers with cream cheese, collard wraps, or collard sandwiches. SN: there is also a blog post about making collard sandwiches! My absolute favorite way to preserve this sweet summer harvest is by making a big batch of small-batch Bell Pepper Jam. If you’ve never had true, Southern-style pepper jelly or jam, you are in for a massive treat. It’s sweet,...

Author: Anastasia N. Oxendine If you peek into the pantry of any traditional southeastern North Carolina homestead, past the pressure-canned green beans and the rows of sweet jams, you are almost guaranteed to find a few jars filled with a bright, beautiful golden-flecked mixture. I’m talking about Old-Fashioned Lumbee Chow-Chow Relish. Chow-chow is the absolute king of Southern condiments. It’s sweet, it’s tangy, it has a tiny bit of a vinegar bite, and it packs an incredible crunch. If you...

There is nothing quite like the early morning rhythm on the homestead. Before the sun fully breaks over the treeline, the coffee is brewing, and the morning chores are calling. After downing a hot cup of ellick (coffee), I get started on the thing I know everyone is waiting for: a warm, filling breakfast. When you have a long day of working outside ahead of you, a simple bowl of cereal just won’t cut it. You need something that sticks to your ribs, feeds a crowd, and fills the whole farmhouse...