Recipe for Swamp Cabbage
Posted: December 7th, 2010, 9:29 pm
Maybe I should have posted this in the "Recipes" section, but I doubt anyone would make it this way anymore. Thought it was interesting just the same. While discussing old folks and such on the Aucilla River with another BBF member I ran across this recipe in my old notes that was written by one of my family members who lived on the Aucilla River in 1898. I'll print it just as he did.
Proceed with small skift and oars on low tide
from Nutall Rise to Gulf coast; Gather 1 to 2
bushels of fresh oysters in shell; stop on way
back and cut 1 to 3 swamp cabbage, also bring
back 1 to 2 gallons of salt water; Shell oysters
preserving all juice inside of shells; Prepare
swamp cabbage for usual use; put oyster juice
and swamp cabbage in pot, cold; Let come to
a boil and boil 10 to 15 minutes, then add the
shelled oysters and allow to boil 5 to 10 minutes;
If necessary add Gulf salt water to thin and for
additional salt. This will produce a natural dish
without commercial ingredients and should have
a distinct Aucilla River flavor.
Proceed with small skift and oars on low tide
from Nutall Rise to Gulf coast; Gather 1 to 2
bushels of fresh oysters in shell; stop on way
back and cut 1 to 3 swamp cabbage, also bring
back 1 to 2 gallons of salt water; Shell oysters
preserving all juice inside of shells; Prepare
swamp cabbage for usual use; put oyster juice
and swamp cabbage in pot, cold; Let come to
a boil and boil 10 to 15 minutes, then add the
shelled oysters and allow to boil 5 to 10 minutes;
If necessary add Gulf salt water to thin and for
additional salt. This will produce a natural dish
without commercial ingredients and should have
a distinct Aucilla River flavor.
The "Fen" has some special memories with me...one of my best trout days was on that river. Man...I miss fishing over there...fishing so bad over here I have been golfing 
