CantaloupeAlone

Good use out of my mason jars Grocery store plums are not always too good. Yellow and firm, sometime sour meaning very unripe. Be it chance or a better crop, the plums at my local green stand are beautifully red, sweet with a balance of tangy and floral notes. I can't stop consuming them, so I decided to preserve a bunch for later. Little did I realize that these already outstanding plums could be made better. A splash and pinch of assorted spice, balsamic, a portion of a hot pepper and sugar brings out the savory nature of the plums making them a perfect pairing for serious proteins. Think braised pork, bbq tofu, or short ribs all slathered with the softened spicy plums. especially bright and plum-y Chili Ginger Plums 2 lbs plums, quartered with stems and pits removed 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tblsp chili powder 1 small hot pepper (optional) 1 tsp ground clove 1 tblsp allspice 1/2 tablespoon salt 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup balsamic vinegar Add all ingredients into a...

Lazy CSA share arrangement on bedspread The weather is cooling off, and its been raining more than once a month. Its no surprise that this week's share of the CSA is end of the season huge and plentiful. Its time to have an end of season dinner party to use some of these beauties up before they turn. 1 head of broccoli 2 "medium" zucchini 1 eggplant 2 sweet peppers, one yellow one red 2 heads of garlic 1 onion 4 hot peppers 1 bag lima beans 1 butternut squash 12 potatoes 1 cucumber 15 medium to small tomatoes and 1 green tomato 1/2 chicken 1 dozen eggs

Garden goods pushed into a pickle jar Early Saturday morning I cleared out my humble 36" by 30" nugget of garden with my plot partner to prepare for cool weather crops. Because of square foot gardening and the neighborhood greenthumb I've taken home a remarkable amount of food. Not quite enough to feed myself every day, but more than I need on top of my CSA . I took home an armful of what was left in the ground about 1/2 lb beans, a few hot cherry peppers, some stalks of potent basil, and celery greens. Rather than chop it raw for a salad or cook my harvest, I decided to pickle everything together to savor the garden freshens. What grows together, goes together and makes for an outrageous crisp raw pickle. I plan to use my pickled beans in bloody marys , but they would be nice as finger food along with cured meats or cheese plate. Also try chopping the beans and serving them on top of salads. Last of the summer veggies right out of the ground Garden Jar Pickled Beans 2 1...