During the January class in Mound Bayou, one of the student's service learning projects was to document all of the community assets--a process known as Asset Mapping. It goes beyond a community needs assessment, to locate and determine the assets in a community in terms of kin/relationship, economics, education, political system, religion, and associations.
Photo courtesy Glenn Sudduth
Mr. Curtis Smith, aka "Smitty" has grown and sold fresh produce at this corner for quite some while. On the particular day the students were in this area of town, Mr. Smitty was working out of his truck--it had been cold and rainy for days. One of his customers graciously allowed the students to take her picture.
Photo courtesy Glenn Sudduth
Mr. Smitty insisted on getting out his table and setting up his normal stand so that we could get capture the typical view for customers. Debra and I bought produce last October from him, and again on this trip, and both times, he had his tables filled with beautiful fresh produce. He was generous with his time, and sharing information with the students.
Photo courtesy Glenn Sudduth
Debra cooked those greens all day long, and added the turnips--and the magic southern ingredient, bacon drippings. The candied sweet potatoes were superb--there is a reason Mississippi is famous for its sweet potatoes!I know I posted about the wonderful meal on the earlier entry of "Sister Debra's Ethnic Soul Food Kitchen" but you did not get to see where those yummy dishes originated. I hope Mr. Smitty is open next Saturday when we are back in Mound Bayou. I have a hankering for some more greens, turnips and sweet potatoes--along with a little cornbread baked in my cast iron skillet. Some things from growing up with southern poor people's country cooking just never leave you.
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