I count myself lucky to have been one of the multitudes of Itinerant chefs cooking at the Ashland Elks.

Photography by Dave Siemer

Photography by Dave Siemer

When we were sick, we could count on this for supper. The other version of this was called carnulo. An unopened can of sweetened condensed milk is simmered in water for 4 hours to produce the best every caramel. Of course, there's always a chance that the can will explode so we never got carnulo at home. 4 c. milk 1/2 c. ...

Mrs. McCann lived next to me when I rented this great duplex on 14th and Fruit. She grew tomatoes in dozens of white plastic 5 gallon buckets and used them in everything. 4 TBL salad oil 1 # zucchini squash, washed and cut into 1/2" rings 2 tsp sugar 12 oz frozen whole kernel corn 2 Large tomatoes, cut into 8ths 1 tsp salt dash coarse black ...

I make some form of calabacitas every week and take it stuffed in a tortilla for lunch. Here's one of the  neighborhood's potluck recipes. It has good intentions but it's middle of the road ingredients make me yearn for real green chili and chunky veggies. 3 TBL butter 6 Calabacitas, cut into cubes 1 TBL chopped onion 3/4 c. milk 2 tsp salt 2 green peppers, ...

We only had store bought candy on Sundays after Mass. There were a lot of sweets around, just not ones labeled and wrapped. 1 medium pumpkin, cut small 1 pint water 2 TBL powdered lime 1 cup water 2 c. sugar 1 tsp cinnamon or crushed peppermint stick Soak pumpkin overnight in water with powdered lime. In the morning, make syrup of 2 c. of sugar and 1 ...

This is about as exotic as steak ever got in my neighborhood. 2 # round steak, 1/2 " thick 2 lemons or enough juice to cover meat 1/2 c. bacon fat 1 large onion, minced salt and pepper Pound steak thoroughly. Marinate in mixture of lemon juice, onion, salt and pepper for  3 hours. Fry in hot fat about 3 minutes on each side or as ...

Mrs. Vigil told me stories of the wild asparagus that grew in the irrigation ditch behind her house. In the 50's in Old Town Albuquerque, this dish was served at all the bridge club and upscale lunches. Cut oof one inch of the root end. Tie together and place n sauce pan, cover with boiing wate and boiluntil tender. Keep the ...

Raymond was the butcher at the Sunshine Market at 12th and Central before George picked up the knives. Retired but still cooking, Raymond served this up every Christmas Eve at the Knights of Columbus Hall. 1 # lamb 1 c. raisins 1 tsp Allspice 1 small glass sweet wine 1 small onion 1 pint water 1 TBL sugar Cut meat in small cubes and boil 1 hour in ...