Actually a fruit, but known as a vegetable, “squash” comes from the Narragansett Native American word “askutasquash,” which means “eaten raw or uncooked.” Squashes come in many different shapes and colors including tan, orange, and blue. Did you know Presidents Washington and Jefferson grew squash in their gardens? The more yellow the squash, the more flavorful – and healthy! Spaghetti Squash is loaded with potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other antioxidants. And – to add to the appeal – …

Whether you say po-TAY-to, or po-TAH-to, you’ll likely agree that potato salad is a classic favorite at any party! Here’s a few fun facts about the sturdy spud: The potato is the most universally grown crop in the world. The Inca people of Peru were growing potatoes in the Andes Mountains as far back as 200 B.C. The Incas used the potato to treat injuries. They also thought it made childbirth easier. Potatoes were often eaten aboard ships to prevent scurvy because they are loaded with vitami…

Buffalo chicken wings were said to be created in Buffalo, NY at Anchor Bar. Buffalo wings got their own day when the town’s Mayor Stan Makowski claimed it in 1977 because “thousands of pounds of chicken wings are consumed by Buffalonians in restaurants and taverns throughout the city each week.” For people who love buffalo chicken wings, this dip version is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!         Buffalo Chicken Dip Ingredients: 2 cups of chicken, cooked and shredded 8 oz. pac…

Baked, fried, grilled – however you slice it, zucchini is a healthy dish that can be a sturdy side, or the star of the show on the dinner plate. And it’s as low in calories as it is healthy! One cup of sliced zucchini has about 19 calories. That’s 40 to 50 percent lower than the same serving size for other low-cal green veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Italians are thought to have bred modern zucchini from the squash they picked up in colonial America – “zucca” is actually the Ital…

Summer is almost here, and you know what that means! Barbeque! BBQ Pulled Pork is a popular item, and this mouth-watering recipe is sure to be a hit at any party. Pork can be marinated, roasted, grilled, skewered, dry rubbed, boiled, baked, barbecued, microwaved, pan-fried or stir-fried! Did you know pork has more protein than chicken and is high in zinc, iron and B-vitamins? BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches Ingredients: Dry Rub 4 lbs. shoulder pork roast 2 Tablespoons salt 2 Tablespoons pepper 2 T…

                        One of the world’s oldest foods known to man, the artichoke is technically a flower bud that has not yet bloomed. They were brought to the United States in the 19th century by French and Spanish immigrants. It wasn’t until the 20th century that artichokes were grown in the United States. California produces 100% of the United States artichoke crop, with Castroville, California calling itself the “Artichoke Ce…

This easy appetizer recipe will be the hit of any summer BBQ, since the fruity flavors complement almost any type of meat. Cream cheese can be used in many sweet and savory dishes and has flavors that can be enhanced by adding everything from fresh herbs and vegetables to fruits, chocolate, and smoked fish. In 1872, William Chester, a New York dairyman, accidentally discovered a cheese making method that produced a creamy mild cheese while trying to duplicate the French Neufchatel recipe. He …

The name for penne pasta was originally derived from the word “penna” meaning “feather” or “quill”. One billion pounds of pasta is about 212,595 miles of 16-ounce packages of spaghetti stacked end-to-end — enough to circle the earth’s equator nearly nine times. To cook one billion pounds of pasta, you would need 2,021,452,000 gallons of water – enough to fill nearly 75,000 Olympic-size swimming pools! Thomas Jefferson brought a pasta making machine back with him in 1789, when he returned to…