Today I ate well. Like Thanksgiving well. At P & D Soul Food Kitchen in Orlando. My friend Minter invited me to check out this family-owned place. She was doing a favor for a writer friend who was reviewing soul food from everywhere around the planet, only he couldn’t possibly be everywhere around the planet.
I love food. I love soul. I was in.
Pig’s Feet
Minter informed me on the drive there that she was going to order pig’s feet. I am an imaginative person, so when I hear the words pig’s feet, all kinds of interesting thoughts bounce around in my crazy head. I called my mom.
“Mom, you used to cook pig’s feet didn’t you?” I asked.
My mom was at the doctor’s, waiting, in the waiting room. She couldn’t talk. That is, until she heard my question. Apparently, she hadn’t had a conversation lately about pig’s feet.
“Yes,” she replied.
“How did you fix them?”
“I boiled them, got the fat off, then the meat. Served them with beans. You can pickle them too, or serve them with greens. I don’t eat the snouts or ears though.”
“Oh, you draw the line there, huh? How about the tail? Will you eat the tail?” I jokingly asked.
“No, I won’t eat the tail either.”
“Oh, I was just joking about the tail.”
“You’ll have to ask the soul people how they prepare pig. They can make anything out of anything.”
She was right about that. Minter told me about the time she was at a soul food symposium in Oxford, MS, when somebody had driven up from Jackson, a few hours away, with a sack of pig ears.
Now, I grew up in the country, so when someone tells me they drove up with a sack of pig ears, I envision a gunny sack filled with little pig ears. And a bunch of deaf pigs running around somewhere in Mississippi.
“No, a paper sack of pig ear sandwiches. Already prepared,” Minter said.
“How exactly do pig ear sandwiches taste,” I countered.
“Gelatinous,” she said without hesitation.
I think that’s when I let out a screech and held my breath.
“I will not be ordering pig’s feet or ears or tails today,” I said. “I think I will order the roasted pork.”
And boy, am I glad I did!
Roasted Pork
The roasted pork and dressing were both so moist with an OMG flavor. The sweet potato biscuit tasted like dessert. Moist too. Collards weren’t too salty. Thank you. Rutabaga is rutabaga. Not sure how to describe rutabagas. They were orange. And I just know that I liked them. Maybe because I like to say rutabaga. Or maybe because they are rumored to have roots (pun totally intended) in Bohemia. I get the Bohemian vibes, so perhaps we’re just kindred spirits. Or maybe it’s because, according to Health Benefits Times, rutabaga has ten amazing health benefits.
Key Lime Cake
Before I list those health benefits though, I also want to mention that the key lime cake and pound cake were wonderfully moist. I like moist. I’m not a big sweets person, so for me to say cake is wonderful, says a lot. P & D, that’s Paula and Dennis the owners, have their own baker.
Finally, bottled water was free. For me, this is a HUGE deal. For someone who always orders water and pays more for it than soda, or is given a little Pixie cup, as if being punished for my drinking selection, I’m ecstatic to actually be rewarded for drinking water. Love it!
Great down-to-earth, simple, friendly, welcoming place. Five thumbs up. Or at least two, since that’s all the thumbs I have. If you’re in Orlando, check this place out: P & D Soul Food Kitchen at The Village Square, 927 S. Goldwyn Ave., Orlando.
10 Health Benefits of Rutabaga
1. Prevents Cancer
2. High in Antioxidants
3. Helps with Digestion
4. High in Fiber
5. High in Potassium
6. Helps with Weight Loss
7. High in Zinc which Helps Manage Stress
8. Reduces Asthma
9. Helps with Constipation
10. Lowers the Risk of Heart Stroke
By the way, Minter’s pig feet were messy, apparently they’re supposed to be, and quite good too.