Summer Pleaser: Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Proscuitto Wrapped Athena Cantaloupe Bites

What a perfect sweet, salty, and smoky southern summer snack! Can I fit any more "S" words?  Savory, scrumptious, succulent and salivous perhaps? Looking for a perfect brightly colored offering to bring to your friend's 4th of July celebration?  You must give this dish a try.  It is so simple and satisfying. :)

New Gourmet Southern Food Discovery:  Benton's Ham Items.   I couldn't be more happy.  This past weekend I was in Knoxville, TN visiting family and my aunt graciously sent me home with a generous sampling of Benton's products including sausage, ham, bacon, and prosciutto.  My first experiment with my new Benton's items was prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe.  I have had prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe, honey dew, and strawberries before but a good sweet cantaloupe is my favorite.  That said, my favorite cantaloupe is Athena.  They are particularly sweet and have a ribbed appearance around  them, instead of the usual roundness. 

This prosciutto is smoky unlike it's Italian mother and a bit more salty.  It still has that perfect tenderness though. 

BENTON'S PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ATHENA CANTALOUPE

1 cantaloupe (de-seeded and de-rined) cut into 1/5 inch cubes

1 package prosciutto (It is hard to judge size on this.  If you are using other prosciutto, make sure you have at least 6-8 good thin slices) torn into 2-3 inch pieces

Wrap prosciutto around the melon pieces, if you prefer more of the meat, you may wrap the meat around completely, we decided we liked smaller pieces of the prosciutto and generally just sat a nice sized piece on top of each melon cube and secured it with a toothpick.  The entire plate was devoured by 4 people as an appetizer to dinner.  We just couldn't help ourselves.  I think you could probably depend on it being good for 6-10 people depending though. 

Benton's is a Tennessee ham operation that is quickly growing to be known to produce wonderful gourmet delicacies. 

Please visit their website to learn more and find where you can procure it.  I loved learned about how long they cure them.  Very interesting read. 

http://bentonscountryhams2.com/

The Girl with the Big Bows on her Shoes and a Parasol!

Just a silly little post that puts together three of the estate sale finds that I have acquired recently.

Blank Postcard from around 1910 that shows a cute squinchy faced lady with a comical hat topped off by huge white roses, white long dress with puffed sleeves (thinking Anne of Avonlea with this one),shoes with huge bows on them, and a black parasol or umbrella. I wonder what the special occasion was?

I love finding antique shoes that fit me that I can actually wear. Vintage size 6 AAA generally translates to a current 5.5.  These were meant to be mine.  Not sure of a date but the label is "Snappy Steppers" and just guessing from the leather sole style I am guessing late 30s or early 40s for these, love the bow! They are actually really comfy!  I was at a Sisters on the Fly event with my mom near Mentone, AL and went down to the swap and sell show.  One awesome lady was selling these... women had been looking at them for an hour or two before I walked down there, and when I picked them up and tried them on for a test run, several ladies told me that since the shoes fit I must wear them so I bought them for a great price of $15. Aren't they cute?

My purchase from yesterday... probably from the 1950s.  Pagoda style Umbrella/Parasol with a Wood and Lucite Handle.  Great shape with some fading from being put away for so many years. I love the curvature!  I can picture a silly photoshoot with this one or somebody posing with it wearing their wedding dress.

I guess I am the girl with the shoes with big bows and the parsol now! Now... where is my big silly hat?