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Traditional Maritime Hodge Podge
On December 24, 2023 by userHodge Podge is a traditional dish in Maritime Canadian cuisine, particularly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It’s a hearty and flavorful stew that typically features a mix of fresh vegetables and sometimes includes meat or seafood. Here’s a basic recipe for Traditional Maritime Hodge Podge:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
- 2 cups fresh peas (or frozen peas)
- 2 cups fresh carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh baby lima beans (optional)
- 1 cup diced ham or cooked bacon (optional)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Wash and prepare all the vegetables. Trim the green beans, quarter the new potatoes, peel and slice the carrots, and shell the peas.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the green beans, new potatoes, peas, carrots, and baby lima beans (if using). Cook until the vegetables are tender but still firm, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add Meat (Optional):
- If you’re adding meat to your Hodge Podge, stir in diced ham or cooked bacon during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Drain:
- Once the vegetables (and meat) are cooked, drain them in a colander.
- Return to the Pot:
- Return the drained vegetables (and meat) to the pot.
- Add Heavy Cream:
- Pour the heavy cream over the vegetables in the pot. Gently stir to combine.
- Season:
- Season the Hodge Podge with salt and black pepper to taste. Be cautious with the salt if you’ve added ham or bacon, as they can be salty.
- Warm Through:
- Heat the Hodge Podge over low heat, stirring gently until everything is warmed through.
- Serve:
- Ladle the Traditional Maritime Hodge Podge into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Enjoy:
- Enjoy this comforting and hearty Maritime dish as a main course or a side dish.
Traditional Maritime Hodge Podge is a celebration of seasonal vegetables and can be customized based on what’s available. It’s often enjoyed during the late spring and early summer when fresh produce is abundant.