Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Late Summer Bounty

The end of summer is a bit of an alarming time for me as I steel myself for the coming winter months. If only fall could last longer, winter wouldn't be so difficult. I know that once the Brussels Sprouts are big enough to slice off their large, prehistoric looking stalks, the growing season is near its end.

Some of the more interesting vegetables in the garden certainly take their time growing. Our leeks for example morph from looking like chives then scallions then leeks over the summer months. The particular variety we grow, Blue Solaize Leeks, get a distinct deep blue at their ends as they mature.

One of my favorite late summer items are the Cranberry Beans. Vibrantly fuchsia, speckled, and abundant, these beans are easy to grow and are an unusual addition to soups or succotash. I have found that they freeze well once shelled. I keep them on hand, portioned out in individual bags.

Our tomatoes have been a sad disappointment this year, as I suspect it has been for a lot of people. Strange cool weather coupled with dry spells essentially stopped our tomatoes from ripening. Once the weather got back on track, another tomato hazard took over: our two labrador retrievers. These pests lie in wait, only pulling off a tomato when it has a hint of ripeness to it for they don't really want to eat the green ones either. Next year, we need to come up with a new plan of attack.

Pictured above: Lacinato Kale, Blue Solaize Leek, Ancho (Poblano) Pepper, Anaheim Pepper, Jimmy Nardello Pepper, Wenk's Yellow Hot Pepper, Purple Tomatillo, Green Zebra Tomato, Long Island Brussels Sprouts, Vermont Cranberry Beans.

7 comments:

thecelticcookinshanghai said...

Strangely enough my tomato harvest this year has been the best ever.Lots of cherry & grape varieties, perhaps they ripen easier. I have tried cooking fried green tomatoes for the first time with the unripe tomatoes. Quite a success.

The Blonde Duck said...

Your feature is up today!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Erin, just popped in from A Duck in her Pond. Great interview.

I didn't have a garden this year:( Thank you so much for sharing yours...I hope I put "an extra spring in your step" this morning:) Bookmarked!!!

Dewi said...

Beautiful photo!!!!!!! Nice to found your blog through "Duck in The Pond".

Reeni said...

My tomatoes were horrible this year, it's been such a disappointment. Last year I had bushels of them and was able to give a lot away. I came over from A Duck in Her Pond to say hi. You have a beautiful site.

Pietro Brosio said...

Nice photo!
I'm coming from "A Duck in her Pond".
Greetings from Italy!

Erin, A Crafty Lass said...

Hello new readers! I was so excited to see all of your comments. All of you have made my day.