By Michelle Caceres
“It’s a big get-together for EGGheads,” said Jimmy Rutledge of Pinch-A-Penny Lithia/FishHawk, referring to EGGtoberfest, an annual weekend-long celebration for Big Green Egg enthusiasts.
Rutledge, a self-proclaimed EGGhead, has made the pilgrimage to Atlanta for six years where more than 200 Eggs were fired up by new and experienced EGGheads to feed a crowd of more than 3,000 people. Fare ranged from moose kabobs and roasted whole fresh Alaskan salmon to exotic breakfast dishes and traditional pork or brisket dishes.
Rutledge feasted on smoked octopus arugula salad and beef tongue tacos.
“People might say why make that, but the answer is, because you can,” he said. “The Egg is the most versatile barbecue or outdoor cooking product on the market.”
FishHawk resident and Big Green Egg owner Teri Smith has never cooked cow tongue but she has fired up many meals on the large-sized Egg that she purchased in 2013. The large Egg gives her plenty of room to cook meals for friends and family.
“We’ve cooked pork, steaks, fish and whole chickens and even smoked meats all night long on it,” said Smith, who enjoys the benefit of cooking fish outside, keeping her house odor-free.
She visits Rutledge at Pinch-A-Penny Lithia/FishHawk every couple months to get tips and recipes.
“They seem to have cooked everything in every different way and Rutledge is always eager to share a recipe or two,” she said. “Cooking has become so much fun.”
Rutledge and his family’s store, located at 16715 FishHawk Blvd. in the Winn-Dixie anchored Shoppes at FishHawk, sells Eggs in several sizes. Pinch-A-Penny Lithia/FishHawk is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. In addition to Big Green Eggs, Pinch-A-Penny offers swimming pool equipment, chemicals, heat pumps, cleaners, accessories and pool floats.
For more information, visit the store or call 655-3700.
