On my daily walks, I’m always scanning the contryside for goodies. I recently spied this wild crab apple tree loaded with fruit. Came back with a basket and boiled them down for jelly. It was so incredibly delicious, I went back to collect a second basket. Super easy to make. Just chop in half, toss in a pot with half as much water, and boil undisturbed for several minutes. When the apples fall apart, strain the … Read More
It’s that time of year.
And every time this year, while I’m picking our Asian Pears, I think of one of Cait’s favorite childhood books. If you have young children and haven’t discovered this series yet, you’re in for a treat. Click on the cover to go to Amazon.
If you love Asian pears as much as we do, you might also enjoy these recipes»… Read More
It’s that time of year again when the kitchen fills with the sights and smells of freshly picked Asian pears. The baskets are overflowing, the counters are covered, and the rhythm of slice, core, and stir sets the pace for the afternoon. There’s something deeply satisfying about the simple ritual of putting up fruit.
This batch of pears will soon become pear butter. I’m thinking maybe some crisps for the next batch. Those make great holiday gifts. But for now, … Read More
Every year, I look forward to this exact moment. Walking out to the backyard and picking the first Asian pears off the trees I planted years ago. You’d think I was harvesting a rare delicacy from some secret orchard in the Himalayas. Nope. Just me, standing in the grass in my bare feet, grinning like I’ve won the produce lottery.
There’s something about that crisp snap when you bite into an Asian Pear that makes all the tending worthwhile. Sweet, … Read More
I wondered why my green bean production was so low this year. Now I know why. This little smarty pants figured out how to open the garden gate to let himself in anytime he felt like having a little snack.
… Read MoreThe cherries are ripe and ready for picking in the food forest, each one a small burst of sweetness and color. The mulberries are not far behind, still blushing their way toward deep purple perfection. Overhead, sunlight streams through slow-moving clouds.
This is the gentle unfolding of summer. Not a sudden arrival, but a gradual opening. A quiet reminder to savor what ripens in its own time.
Ripe—Cherries
Almost Ripe—Mulberries (with raspberries not far behind)
Magical—Summer Light… Read More
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you, too, are shocked and dismayed at the rapid rise in food costs. But there is a way we can all fight back that’s not only good for our wallets but our bodies, too.
This is one day’s haul from my grape and berry patch: 3.5 lbs of raspberries and 4.75 lbs of Concord grapes.
Let’s do the math.
Today’s price for 6 oz of organic store-bought raspberries is roughly $5.99, and for … Read More
Even if you don’t have your own garden, if your car’s been unlocked, you’ve probably been anonymously gifted with enough zucchini to feed an army. We gardeners like to share the wealth, as it were…
I’m here to help save the day. I have two recipes that are guaranteed to have everyone in your family (even your vegetable-hating kids) loving zucchini and asking for more. No joke.
Without further ado:
Zucchini Cauliflower Pie
I know, it sounds positively awful — … Read More
