Saturday, June 25, 2005
Pickled Banana Peppers
I got into the game today.
I've been watching the garden wither and bake in the Texas summer heat.
Temps above 95 F are taking a toll on most everything. The banana peppers stopped bearing but those on the plants were ripening to a glorious display of yellow, orange and red. I decided to slice and pickle some of these. They will go good on a sandwich.
I've been watching the garden wither and bake in the Texas summer heat.
Temps above 95 F are taking a toll on most everything. The banana peppers stopped bearing but those on the plants were ripening to a glorious display of yellow, orange and red. I decided to slice and pickle some of these. They will go good on a sandwich.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Pink-eyed Purple Hull Peas
You can tell from the name that these baby's are colorful.
I was not a fan of black-eyed peas until I worked offshore with a Cajun. He cooked up a "mess" of peas with a lot of smoked pork hock, onion, and cajun spice. Ever since then I appreciate their unique flavor and texture. Another favorite I quickly learned to love is known affectionately as Redneck Caviar. It is a marianated mixture of cooked peas (canned are OK), Italian salad dressing, chopped onion, celery & peppers. It is best enjoyed with Fritos. Yum!
I was not a fan of black-eyed peas until I worked offshore with a Cajun. He cooked up a "mess" of peas with a lot of smoked pork hock, onion, and cajun spice. Ever since then I appreciate their unique flavor and texture. Another favorite I quickly learned to love is known affectionately as Redneck Caviar. It is a marianated mixture of cooked peas (canned are OK), Italian salad dressing, chopped onion, celery & peppers. It is best enjoyed with Fritos. Yum!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Cantaloupe or Musk Melon?
I'm not too happy about the melons this year.
The plants looked good and they started to produce early but the fruit did not get very big and they aren't very sweet. I must have picked up a variety for cooler climates because this one can't take the heat either. The melons are elongated and smaller than the ones I had two years ago.
I shouldn't sound so disappointed ... after all I am eating melons out of the garden!
The plants looked good and they started to produce early but the fruit did not get very big and they aren't very sweet. I must have picked up a variety for cooler climates because this one can't take the heat either. The melons are elongated and smaller than the ones I had two years ago.
I shouldn't sound so disappointed ... after all I am eating melons out of the garden!
Canned Tomatoes
My mother used to can tomatoes.
She called them "stewed tomatoes" - I called them "good".
After filling up the freezer with salsa, Tracy decided to can some whole tomatoes.
These will be good to remind us of the summertime taste of a fresh tomato!
One of my co-workers gave me this spoon after returning from a trip abroad. It is the perfect tool for tomato canning. Thanks Donna!
She called them "stewed tomatoes" - I called them "good".
After filling up the freezer with salsa, Tracy decided to can some whole tomatoes.
These will be good to remind us of the summertime taste of a fresh tomato!
One of my co-workers gave me this spoon after returning from a trip abroad. It is the perfect tool for tomato canning. Thanks Donna!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Hog Nose Heaven
I don't know what it is about my yard.
It seems to have just what a wandering Hog-nosed snake would want - toads and shade.
I got the call on the way home from work that Zeke our faithful Austrailian Shepherd had the serpent cornered! He continued to bark continuously until I was able to navigate the rush-hour traffic. I moved the offender to a small cage intending to donate the specimen to some friends who home-school their kids for a live science project. Unfortunately the wiley rascal found a small crack in his new prison and was able to escape during the night. Look out toads!
It seems to have just what a wandering Hog-nosed snake would want - toads and shade.
I got the call on the way home from work that Zeke our faithful Austrailian Shepherd had the serpent cornered! He continued to bark continuously until I was able to navigate the rush-hour traffic. I moved the offender to a small cage intending to donate the specimen to some friends who home-school their kids for a live science project. Unfortunately the wiley rascal found a small crack in his new prison and was able to escape during the night. Look out toads!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Summer Harvest
For the last few days the fridge has been filling up with fresh veggies.
Take a look at what a small garden can produce:
Okra - Clemsen Spineless
Black-Eyed Peas - Pink Eye Purple Hull
Bell Peppers
Tomatoes - Celebrity
Cherry Tomatoes - Sweet 100s
FYI - There are 113 on this plate. I guess the name is appropriate!
Take a look at what a small garden can produce:
Okra - Clemsen Spineless
Black-Eyed Peas - Pink Eye Purple Hull
Bell Peppers
Tomatoes - Celebrity
Cherry Tomatoes - Sweet 100s
FYI - There are 113 on this plate. I guess the name is appropriate!
Don't Bug Me!
One of the disappointments of gardening is dealing with garden bugs. I don't use any pesticides and have to keep a close eye out for hornworms, aphids, and other bugs. So far this year I am only dealing with the Leaffooted Bug which looks like a cross between a Stink Bug and an Assassin Bug. I did some reading about these buggers and they are more of a nusiance than a serious threat.
See the bug on the right hand side?
See the bug on the right hand side?
Pick Me!
I got home in time to pick the garden tonight. The tomatoes continue to ripen at an alarming pace but Tracy made a batch of salsa today. It is really good! The fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro combine to make a tasty salsa that beats anything you can get in a jar.
I had to take a couple of shots of the tomatoes on the vine. The variety really makes a difference. Celebrity isthe best for this area - don't you agree?
I'm also pretty selective with the Cherry tomatoes - Sweet 100 is my favorite.
These are shots of my two plants.
I had to take a couple of shots of the tomatoes on the vine. The variety really makes a difference. Celebrity isthe best for this area - don't you agree?
I'm also pretty selective with the Cherry tomatoes - Sweet 100 is my favorite.
These are shots of my two plants.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
The Fruit of your Labors
This is what it's all about -
Fresh from the garden. Sure makes all that effort worthwhile.
BLT for supper
Today's pickings - Tomorrow's salsa!
Fresh from the garden. Sure makes all that effort worthwhile.
BLT for supper
Today's pickings - Tomorrow's salsa!
Hot, Garlicy, and in the Jars
Ok its our first attempt at pickling. I wanted to be sure that there was enough heat and garlic...I hope we didn't over do it. Tracy & I worked together in the kitchen all day without getting in each others space (too much). The end result was 11 quarts of pickles and three pints of jalapenos.
Pre-Pickles
The Goodies
Loading the Jars
Ready for Processing
The End Result
Jalapenos
Now all we have to do is wait!
Pre-Pickles
The Goodies
Loading the Jars
Ready for Processing
The End Result
Jalapenos
Now all we have to do is wait!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Morning Glory
The arbor is finally covered and the blossems of the Morning Glory really show off the entrance to the garden.
