Summer Memories

August is here already, and summer is coming to an end. It’s been a busy few months and I am enjoying the last of the warm weather.

Remember when you were a kid, you knew once August was here, soon after it was back to school. I miss those carefree days. I always spent most of the summer months at my grandparents summer home in Bristol, until the mid-sixties,  when they sold the house and moved to Governor Francis Farms in Warwick.

Some of my best summer memories are from the Bristol days. On weekends, the whole family would congregate at my grandparents’ house. It wouldn’t just be all of the aunts, uncles and cousins; there would be the great aunts and uncles, and the second and third cousins too. It was like a family reunion most weekends.

We would dig clams and pick mussels and periwinkles off the rocks. Uncle Pete would always bring crabs. There would be homemade bread, pizza, macaroni, and my grandfather’s wine. Grandpa would plant a huge garden, so we would have fresh vegetables.

I always felt special, because I, along with a few cousins would stay with them during the week too. I am going to share a bean salad recipe that is a nice summer side dish.

Bean Salad

1 can black beans

1 can black eyed peas

1 can shoe peg corn

1 can chick peas

1 small red onion, chopped

1 cup olive oil

1 cup sugar

1 cup apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme

Rinse beans and corn well. Mix corn, beans, and onions together; set aside.

In a saucepan, mix the olive oil, sugar, and vinegar and cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour over bean mixture and let sit overnight. Strain the mixture and toss with fresh herbs and pepper just before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish. Enjoy!