September 3, 2012

Finally, I have a true sign of summer, peppers–just before Labor Day. A white bell pepper was the luck of the draw at the nursery and would not have been my first choice. I’m waiting for the red peppers, my favorite. 

Can you see evidence of my inattentiveness to things of the garden this past week? I did water, but obviously missed two large zucchini (of the 20 or so I harvested this week) and my first cucumber. I was dreaming of small slender cukes sliced with rice vinegar, lemon pepper and dill. I haven’t had the courage to slice this fat, yellow one yet.

And while I was washing and pressing my hundred year old dress for the Suffragette Parade, the green beans were waiting to be harvested. 

My friend Betsy Marro (left) and I marched last Thursday in the Suffrage Parade, celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Seventy two years of diligent work by women like my Great-Grandmother Wilson secured that right for 52% of Americans–women. And even today, the right of all American citizens to vote must be protected. Every vote counts!

Oops! Back to the green beans.

I tossed a few of the fattest ones to my dog, Lucy and relegated the other over-sized beans to either minestrone soup or the compost bin. The slender, tender ones joined with the green pepper above in a stir-fry with minced garlic.

And on the fruit front…

My husband holds two Gordon apples that will become a Labor Day dessert when  paired with a mountain of rhubarb.

And the strawberry guavas are just starting but that’s a story for another day.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne’s Dandelions. It’s a time to share what you’re harvesting in your garden or how you’re using it.