WATERMELON ROOSTERS AND PIGGIES

I love the South! I grew up on Chilton County peaches, hot boiled peanuts and Grampa Cecil singing hymns while he tended his tomato plants. My mom raised chickens from the time I was in 4th grade and trips to the feed store were a highlight of my young years. To this day, the smell of corn feed and the sweet sound of baby chicks makes my heart as happy as a pup with two tails! If only our homeowners association was as fond of poultry as I am, I’d have a giant roost packed with bantams and Rhode Island Reds. It’s no secret around these parts that I love my fine feathered friends — as evidenced by the small collection of chicken paraphernalia in my office — so I decided to honored them with a quick and easy summer recipe!

It’s so easy and delicious (and cheap). Simply slice a small seedless watermelon into 1-inch slices. Press your favorite cookie cutters into the melon slices. Drizzle with lime juice and fresh mint, place on a bed of local blues, chill for 20 minutes in the fridge (or as long as you need to get the rest of your summer meal together) and enjoy! We used local melon and blues and mint from our garden. Gracie loved these and kept saying, “Piggie! Chickie! Yummy, mama!”

Happy summer, y’all!