From my travel journal October 7, 2011:
Everything here is so loose. Tuscans are even more laid back than Southerners. We are quickly learning that there aren’t a lot of specifics here. Plans, roads, addresses are obscure concepts and mere suggestions. It’s kind of a maybe-so-maybe-not-no-big-deal-either-way society. Throw in a passion for food and living, and one could get used to living around here pretty quickly.
The stress level is so low I can almost feel my hair growing back.
Ingredients
2 Tbl Extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Yellow onion, julienned
1 tsp Garlic, minced
4 cups Zucchini, cut into 2” batons (about 6 small zucchini)
1 Tbl Kosher salt
1 tsp House seasoning blend (see recipe)
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the onions and sweat until softened, about 4-6 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking until the zucchini just begins to soften but still has a little firmness. Serve immediately.
These grits are anything but basic. The recipe uses heavy cream and chicken stock. Basic grits use just water. I probably should have named this recipe Not So Basic Grits.
My brother is an avid duck hunter and I was thinking of him when we were testing this recipe. The grits say “basic” though they’re anything but basic. They are very rich, but so good, and perfect for this recipe. The caramelized onions are an equal player in this three-component game.