P . 24 | JULY 2022 | THE HAMMONTONIAN
Wuillermin makes ‘ simplistic , good ’ food
dog Jelly eats the corn right off the cob ,” she said .
And she said she “ just put-up corn .” Wuillermin tries not to have any waste . She turns leftovers from one meal into something different for another meal . She said as food prices continue to rise in grocery stores , being resourceful is essential .
On this afternoon , Wuillermin carefully cleaned zucchini flowers . She explained that she went to her husband Mike ’ s family farm and picked the male flowers to fry .
They are lightly flowered and fried in extra-virgin olive oil . The sizzle and smell of olive oil permeated the air in the wellloved kitchen .
The smell and sizzle and pop drew her boys slowly into the kitchen . The squash flowers came out of the frying pan and were immediately sampled .
Hot , crispy and the perfect summer bite . No salt needed . No dipping sauce needed either . It was a quick taste of summer . She then went on to prepare zucchini fritters . Wuillermin grated the zucchini into a colander , lightly salted and tossed . She let the moisture drain out . “ Let it sit . Don ’ t squeeze ,” she said . Wuillermin said she likes the fritters to be a little green and she wants “ to taste the zucchini .”
For her fritters , she uses 4C seasoned Gluten Free Breadcrumbs .
Feeding people is a way to show affection for Wuillermin . “ If I feed you , you know I like you ,”
Wuillermin said .
Her boys were in and out of the kitchen . The snack cabinet was opened and closed . A mayonnaise sandwich was made . After the fritters were made , the boys headed with a friend to the Hammonton Swim Club . A quick round up of shoes , towels , goggles and more happened while the Wuillermin ’ s puppy Angus watched his brothers leave the house .
To make sure there is no waste ,
Wuillermin often freezes her leftover produce .
She said she freezes the fritters or makes zoodles and freezes them to have for a quick meal later . The batter from the fritters makes a lot , so she will often keep some batter in her fridge in an airtight container to be used another day or she said she will freeze it .
The fritters piled up . Crispy and tasted perfectly of zucchini . The simple
See KITCHEN , P . 25
JAIME WUILLERMIN PREPARES A MEAL IN HER KITCHEN . by GINA RULLO
It is lucky that Jaime Wuillermin ’ s husband is a grower and this passionate home-cook loves Jersey Fresh produce . Walking into her kitchen one summer afternoon , a bushel of zucchini sat on the floor next to a bushel of peaches . A sign proclaiming “ farm to fork ” hangs over the stove .
The busy mom of four ( Lindsay , 24 , lives in Las Vegas , Jake , 11 , Dan , and Michael , 6 ) talked while she prepped fried squash flowers , zucchini fritters and zucchini bread .
“ I have no crazy secrets . My food is more simplistic , but it is good ,” Wuillermin said .
She began by reaching into her freezer for the flour . Her Italian grandmother said it helped keep the flour fresh , Wuillermin said .
Wuillermin grew up in Vineland and spent many happy hours cooking with her great-grandmother Nana Martini .
“ I don ’ t think she ever sat down ,” she said explaining that her greatgrandmother would prepare breakfast then lunch then dinner and was always in motion .
Many of her “ old-school ” recipes came from her family .
“ My great-grandparents emigrated from Italy ,” Wuillermin said .
And she has a secret family recipe that she cannot share called “ Murphiano Flounder .”
“ The batter is unlike anything you have ever had . You can ’ t have enough of it . I was sworn to secrecy ,” she said .
It is the item she craves when she is not feeling well .
“ When I need soothing , that is it . My mom will come make it for me ,” Wuillermin said .
When her kids are sick , she makes homemade chicken tortilla soup with lots of garlic .
Wuillermin and her husband Mike met at the Vineland Produce Auction when she was working there . It is the perfect meet — cute for this farmer ’ s wife .
Wuillermin said she loves all Jersey Fresh produce especially what her husband grows which can change year to year — zucchini , corn , tomatoes and peppers .
She said she loves fresh produce for the “ taste , the texture the way it fries and more .”
“ It ’ s a huge difference ,” she said .
Wuillermin ’ s family is known for their corn .
“ I like to eat it raw . Our farm
IN THE KITCHEN