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I feel the need to open with a confession . I am from New Jersey .
I say this with pride , despite the connotations that accompany being a New Jerseyan ( New Jerseyite ?). I ’ ll admit , sometimes we haven ’ t always put our best foot forward . We are responsible for Chris Christie , the housewives , the Situation , and aggressive fist-pumping , amongst a litany of other sins . To those that would call NJ the Armpit of America , I say , “ Bless your little heart . New Jersey is the Garden State .”
New Jersey is the home of Thomas Edison , Frank Sinatra , Bruce Springsteen , Whitney Houston , Jon Bon Jovi , Danny DeVito , Jon Stewart , and hell , even The Cake Boss . We have Pork Roll ( Taylor Ham , if you must ), beaches , and bagels for days . Not to mention , the famous Jersey Tomato .
Growing up in the suburbs of Central New Jersey , my father would tend to his not insignificant garden every summer . He was a police officer , and I like to think that working in the backyard , in the 20 x 20 raised bed was his time to breathe .
My father did all his own composting . He would chase away the overweight groundhog that lived under the porch whenever it came out to feast on his handiwork . My mother would grill homemade burgers and serve them with a salad made of cucumbers from the garden , and despite her claims that it was nothing special , I ’ d argue that it was the best thing I ’ ve ever eaten . At the end of every growing season , we would get together with our neighbors and can all of the tomatoes . Little did I know , thirty years later , I ’ d still be putting stuff in jars for a profession .
Our neighbors , Joan and Frank , were first generation Italian . Frank was a chef . Joan would babysit me most days while my parents went to work . Joan and Frank taught me hospitality , and that ’ s a sentiment I hope to communicate today with my cooking .
The Fried Pickled Green Tomatoes are homage to Joan and Frank and to our homes in New Jersey . Despite the fact that I didn ’ t grow up in the South , the one thing I ’ m certain I can appreciate about Southern living is the hospitality of feeling truly welcome in another person ’ s home . These pickles are full of flavor--warm and inviting . The fennel flavor jumps out just as it does when you simmer a pork sausage ragout with bresaola . The fresh shallot and garlic brighten the flavor , while the dried onion and garlic add an umami that is intensely satisfying . And just when you think it ’ s over , the slight heat from the red pepper flakes kick in and round out the experience .