Grapes and more grapes, but where oh where are the rest of the veggies?

We were just talking about the lack of locally grown veggies in Napa because of the high price of land and all those grapes, and here’s what I run across when I sit down to catch up on a little gardenish reading this morning. The article from the Press Democrat, (which I wish I had seen before I left so I could have gone to Benziger last weekend) talks about some of the vineyards and their workers planting vegetable crops. Several of the wineries and vineyards are setting aside days just for working in the garden and have such abundant crops they are selling their produce to the restaurants and setting up farm stands in their tasting rooms. This seems like a head slapping, about time, epiphany for the Valley.

Read Full Post »

Leave some zucchini on your neighbor’s porch day!

The zucchini sharing, (or dumping) holiday was August 28th. That day came and went because I didn’t have a bumper crop of zucchini that particular week. I had extra the weeks prior and there is an abundance of zucchini in my life right now. Pictured above is just one of 4 robust corn and zuke patches…there are also zukes planted around a few tomatoes. I am talking zucchini. Here is a couple of recipes I will put on the counter along with the sign “Free, take one. Please!”.

For the kids:

Plain Pasta-Boil up some short pasta, my current favorite is de checco rotelle (check out the site and peruse the shapes gallery), boil up some pasta. Right at the end throw in a couple of handfuls of very thinly sliced zucchini. Blanch with the pasta for seconds…depends on how thinly you sliced…just enough to brighten the color and warm through. Strain and in to a bowl. Add seasoning according to your child’s current preferences. Olive oil and parm are always nice. Sneak in some basil on a tablespoon of tomato sauce or with fresh diced tomato.

Zucchini Timbales-Layers of rice, tomato sauce, zucchini rounds, mozzarella, herbs, rice, tomato sauce zucchini rounds herbs…you get the picture…now bake. You can even nuke it when you are too hot or busy to turn on the oven. Better yet, make a water bath with a roasting pan and cook them on the grill next to what ever protein you are cooking up.

Grilled Zucchini-Marinate. Brush with olive oil, red pepper flakes and herbs. Grill. Squeeze a little lemon. Serve!

Read Full Post »

Monarch Watch Station

While my yard is not an official Monarch Way station…the basil and zinnia bed certainly qualifies for a butterfly garden.  Zinnias are on the list for nectar plants adult Monarchs love and I can say first hand they do!  Easy to grow from seed and really hearty in the hot hot sun.  I wonder if it’s too late for another good crop?  I think I’ll plant a couple of flats in the front tomorrow and see how it goes.  Couldn’t hurt!

Read Full Post »

Basil & Zinnia

Zinnia from seed mixed in with the basil starts –  my new favorite combo right at the front porch.  Nothing better than opening the door and grabbing handfuls of basil, bunches of sorrel, ears of corn, and a few flowers for decoration.

Read Full Post »

Flavorella Plum Hand Pies

This summer’s favorite dish for the concerts in the park…was hands down the hand pies. Nectarine, plum, strawberry or a combination of all three.

The best of the lot was the elusive Flavorella plum pie, which I could only produce one time…I must have caught the tail end of the season for that tree. The ease of this dish is what makes it such a favorite of mine and the tangy deliciousness combined with puff pastry made it a real crowd pleaser.

Buy puff pastry sheets and let thaw in the fridge. Each box makes about 8 pretty good sized pies. I just lined the giant muffin tin with squares of parchment paper, then with the puff, then dollops of the fruit mixture, topped with tangy strawberry preserves. Pinch together and bake!

Fruit Filling-Cut up 8 plums and toss with a couple of tablespoons of flour and sugar. Strawberry preserves-made earlier in the summer, just mash up berries and cook down a bit with 1/4 (or less) the amount of sugar for jam…and lots of lemon juice. It won’t set up, but use as sauce…way tastier!

Read Full Post »