Living in an area of the world where the seasons dictate our gardens and our outdoor activities, the time is upon us where we take stock in what has been, what has grown, and what we have to look forward to. Plucked from a rather large bush near our garden, these two lovely pumpkins were a gift from the compost fairies. Don’t believe me? Here is proof positive.
The vegetable gardens this season have become a mixed bag of problems and prodigious produce. Colorado potato beetles have turned up and devoured one of our tomato plants. The words ewww and ick came out of me several times. However, other plants are a goldmine of green for the kitchen.
Condiments, relishes and sauces can make or break a well prepared dish. A tasty addition to anything from simple scrambled eggs to a perfectly broiled steak can take a meal from ho-hum to sublime.
Mother Nature has been very nice to the Jersey Shore area so far this summer. The gardens are producing an amazing bounty of squash, tomatoes, green beans and peppers.
Some of the most beautiful things in the world start out covered in mud and soil. You have to get your hands dirty to get to the best bits, but it is worth it. If you aren’t growing beets in your garden this year, no worries, that’s what the farmers markets are there for.
Look past the dustiness and the huge green leaves. Don’t throw the leaves out though, they are full of vitamins and delicious to saute in oil with garlic.
