For the last three days of the holidays Kye became fascinated with people’s ages. It started with an inquisitive little, how old are you mum? But soon turned into a full-on thing as he proceeded to ask me the age of every person we know. And I mean every. one.
In a single day he must have asked me how old his uncle Gene (my sisters partner) was over 20 times. I’m not 100% sure I had the answer right so maybe that was why he felt the need to quiz me on that one over and over again? That or he just wanted to test my patience. As we sat down to eat dinner he asked how old Grandpa was. Which Grandpa do you mean hun? I asked. You see, he has a few in his life and I just wanted to make sure I had the right one before answering him, I didn’t want to confuse the poor boy. Do you mean my Dad? I said. No, I mean Grandpa in New Zealand! Yep that’s my Dad, I went on to say. He didn’t believe me.
I’m sure we’ve had this conversation many times before but I guess to a little persons mind some things are a little too hard to comprehend at times. Like, if he’s my Dad, why is his partner not my mum? Why does my mum (his Nana) not live in the same house as my Dad? And if my little sisters mum is my mum, why isn’t my Dad her Dad? So I went through all the people who used to live with me when I was growing up, my Mum and Dad, my two brothers and my older sister. I tried my best to explain why families sometimes separate in the most gentlest of ways so not to scare him. And I told him how I was already 18 years old when my little sister arrived on the scene, which is why she is still in high school and I’m well, old (in his eyes at least!). I’m really not sure how much of it his five-year-old mind understood, but I guess he’ll get it one day. My Dad called us the reconstituted family the following day as I spoke to him on the phone. I kinda like that term more than blended. Although I’m not sure why.
So anyway, what does this all have to do with a frittata you ask? I dunno, I suppose I just wanted to share the story. That and this was one of the things I made for dinner recently during the holidays when it was just the kids and me at home. I don’t know if our kids even remember what it’s like to have a ‘normal’ family life with Dad at home, but I think it’s important for them to realise that every family is different and there is no one ‘right’ way to be a family. How we are living our life right now, with Si working away up north more than he’s home, is not how everyone lives and hopefully not how things will always be for us. Until things do change though, dinners will most probably remain quick and easy as I scramble to do everything solo.
Just before I go, in keeping with the kale theme I seem to have been on these past few weeks and as mentioned in this post…. I’ve updated the pics on this Kale and pumpkin seed (vegan) pesto post and also the pics on my Miso-curry butternut squash with tofu + cavolo nero (vegan) post. They are now much less cringe-worthy. Also I’ve heard from a bunch of you lately who are having trouble reading past the line-break in my posts when viewing on tablets/phones. I’m not 100% sure what’s happening there and am trying to figure it out. So for now if you want to read the full post with the recipe etc, I’d recommend reading my posts on a computer if you can. Cheers xx
kumara + cavolo nero frittata
This is just my basic frittata recipe, which any vegetable can be added to. I was lucky enough to have some kumara (sweet potato) at hand from a friend (thanks Nat!) and loads of cavolo nero (kale) from the markets, so they went in. You could use scots kale (curly), silverbeet or spinach if preferred. If you tolerate dairy, some crumbled feta or goats cheese would be lovely scattered over the top before baking. I served this with the last of my spiced tomato chutney from a few months back.
serves 6-8
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thinly
1 bunch cavolo nero (tuscan kale), washed, spun dry and tough inner stem removed
2 small kumara (sweet potato) about 200g each, washed and sliced into 2-3mm rounds
6 large free-range eggs
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Gently heat oil in a large oven-proof frying pan (cast iron is perfect here) over low-medium heat, add garlic and give it a good stir or two. Add sliced kumara and cavolo nero and cook gently for about 10 minutes (you can pop a lid on to speed things up if you like), stirring every now and then until the kumara is just tender. Season the vegetables well with sea salt and black pepper. Crack the eggs into a bowl, season with salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Pour over the vegetables and place the pan into your hot oven. Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until egg is puffed and set. Serve hot or at room temperature.
32 Responses
Funny that you prefaced this recipe with a story about family and grandparents because kumara always makes me think of my Poppa in New Zealand who grew the most delicious kumara in his backyard and always made sure there was some ready when we came to visit. For me, kumara and yams will always be associated with him.
Anyway, the frittata looks delicious!
Aww, that's a awesome coincident! Homegrown kumara is the best xx
Yum, Emm. I love frittata for a quick Friday night dinner. Great combo of kumara and cavolo nero.
Ah yes, the blended/ reconstituted family, don't get me started. Ours is very colourful also ๐
Colourful, I like that one ๐
Love it! We have the same family explanation thing going on – my side is quite 'reconstituted' too. I so often forget when talking about my brother's dad (who we are close to, as opposed to my dad, who my kids will never meet, and who is not the same as grandma's partner…) that people assume he must be my dad too and get very confused. At least on Brett's side it is simple – all grandparents are called nanna and pop, simple!
Yeah I wonder how confusing it must seem to all these kids growing up nowadays! I guess it will all make sense when they are older ๐
Looks delicious. A great way to use winter produce, without being super heavy. Yum.
I love eating it cold the next day too ๐
I'm so glad I have cats … fewer questions… ๐ XO
Hehe, very true love! xx
It is going to be such a different world for our kids, reconstituted families are going to be more common than not. My kids are going to have more than 4 grandparents too, but, that's more people who love them in this world, and that can only be a good thing. This frittata looks delicious, I always have so much sweet potato in the fridge, will give this one a try for sure! Xx
I agree it just means more people to love them, nicely said xx
Lovely post. And yes, kids usually get it, but more importantly, they don't care until a certain age. Everyone is grandpa or nana. Everyone is aunt or uncle. I work with kids in the custody of the state (our CYFS), and those are complicated! My clients are not fazed. They just have really big families. It makes my set of four parents seem really boring and old fashioned. It's sort of funny. The frittata looks amazing!
Absolutely, Kye's reaction to his Grandpa being my Dad says it all! To him he is just Grandpa, never mind all the rest of it (for now at least!).
I'm in a big kale phase as well! It's so good from my local farmers market this season. I love frittata for an easy meal..I made a similar version on Sunday night, but without sweet potato. Next time I'm putting the sweet potato in! Nat x
Yep our markets have had the most beautiful kale the past few months too ๐ Love it.
So so beautiful.I'd not heard of kumara before but hoping I can use my usual sweet potatoes in this gorgeous recipe?
Kumara is just the New Zealand name for sweet potato, so your usual sweet potato would absolutely work here. Or pumpkin/squash/potato ๐
Ha, I remember answering the same questions from my cousin when she was about 5 too and the complete obsession with how old people are! I love those kind of conversations – it's good sometimes to see the world through a child's eyes. And this is such a lovely frittata too and totally stunning pictures, as ever.
Thanks love! xx
P.s Kye started the morning again today with 'how old is…'!
When I lived in NZ I loved the kumara chips from the local fish n chip shop in Kerikeri. I think they're what I miss most. ๐
I love your frittata.
I went through the how old when my children were young. He said my mother was "older than dirt." I don't think she ever forgave him for that.
Oh that one is classic! My cousins little man asked her if she was around when the dinosaurs were alive, which I thought was pretty damn funny ๐
Mmmmm, kumara chips with aioli was always a winner from my childhood…
Heh, it looks like pizza – this is why i wanna test that recipe!
We just had a similar conversation with Paloma the other day. Her sister is 18 years older and Paloma knows that Masha is her sister, but has a hard time comprehending that I'm Masha's mother as well. These pictures are beautiful, made me very hungry for a nice vegetable frittata like yours.
My little sister was born when I was already 17, my kids think it's funny that she is their aunty when she's still at school! ๐
Such beautiful photos, Emma! My daughter recently started asking similar questions – my husband's parents are divorced and remarried, and she was so confused and sad about the whole thing. It's rather painful at times, all those questions. But, life is all about all those questions…
Thanks so much Sarah, yes it does get rather confusing for them doesn't it. But I agree it's all about those questions and making sense of it all, in the best way that they can. xx
Your posts are wonderful! I will be making this over the weekend, i'll let you know how well the amateur did haha
This is gorgeous! Definitely on my to-make list for this week ๐
Hi, I was just wondering, do you not need any type of base on this recipe like a pastry…? Thanks. Love your blog by the way, I just discovered it ๐
No this is a frittata not a quiche ๐
Hi there Emm, I was searching the internet for kumara recipes tonight and stumbled across your blog, which is just lovely! It's wonderful to see an NZ food blogger up there on the world stage spreading great ideas and beautiful photos with such an awesome kiwi vibe ๐ Speaking of kiwi vibes, I have just published a post about Alison Holst and her Curried Kumara Soup recipe…hence the search for more kumara inspiration tonight. I'd be honoured if you found the time to check it out. All the best!