Growing up on the shores of Lake Erie, I can remember many lighthouses like the ones in Marblehead and Port Clinton, and always wondered about the people that actually lived in them, raised families and lived off the bounty of the land. Ohio has a rich history of lighthouses that you can enjoy yourself here. But of course in Kelly’s Kitchen we want to know what some of those regional recipes might be. It's also a great opportunity to learn a little more about what history of lighthouses. I also think they're very romantic and mysterious places, but what sets them apart as so special?

   The answers can be found in a very enjoyable read called “The American Lighthouse Cookbook” by  Becky Sue Epstein and Ed Jackson. Ed came up with the idea, and together he and Becky found so many lighthouses, they had a quite a time narrowing it down to the 47 that made it into the book, including our own St John’s lighthouse in Mayport. That lighthouse is relatively new, but the recipes included are timeless. Here's the contribution from  St John's Lighthouse . The book as a whole is nice blend of history, personal stories on the lighthouse keepers and regional recipes. There are over 300 recipes in the book, and as always the taste-testing process was the most time consuming but entirely enjoyable.

    Now the lighthouses are cared for by the US Coast Guard, and the lonely life of the lighthouse keeper is a thing of the past. But “The American Lighthouse Cookbook” brings that back to life. I think you’ll enjoy the book, and on my next staycation, I plan to visit the one in St John’s. But we couldn't pass up a haunted lighthouse on Halloween, could we?

   Hear the full interview with Becky Sue and Ed here.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef - Navjot Singh Sidhu