Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Zuchinni Anyone?

This is just a few of the zucchini we have harvested in the past couple of weeks. One day they looks so small and in a matter of two days leaving them on, they tremendously increase in size.



We have harvested everything that was of any size at all and it has either been grilled, shredded or sliced and in the freezer. Now we are waiting for the next onslaught of zucchini which shouldn't be to far in the future. We only have three plants. Can you image what would have happened if we had planted more?




TRUTH

It's true what they say about zucchini. It truly does multiply overnight. Not only does it multiply in numbers but it also increases in size. We have had some truly wonderful zucchini, large in size and large in numbers. With one zucchini, we shredded about 6 to 7 cups of zucchini (most recipes call for 2 to 3 cups). We are getting very creative with different ways to cook them. Our latest favorite is called a "Mock Apple Pie". I would not have believed it had I not tasted the final product, but you would have a hard time believing it was not apples. We found the recipe online among many, by the way. Peeled, cored and sliced in a bag, it looks like Granny Smith apples. When cooked with your cinnamon, sugar and other apple pie additives, it looks and tastes and has the consistency of apples. My favorite rhubarb crisp recipe is now being used to make "Mock" Apple Crisp and we are going to feed our friends today. So all of you out there who don't particularly care for zucchini, don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Delish!!!
The plum tomatoes are ripening and they are very tasty. The greatest thrill though for me, is the pumpkin patch. It is overflowing into the yard with numerous pumpkin babies but the prize, the first pumpkin, is now starting to turn orange. It is a thing of beauty. We have successfully grown a pumpkin from seed and it looks fabulous. Can hardly wait for the first pumpkin pie.
What do the kids think of all our efforts? Well they think it is pretty cool but they would rather go looking for bugs. The roly poly is the favorite. Kyran now has a little net and you will often find him somewhere in the yard, net in hand, trying to catch butterflies and moths or turning over the downspout blocks looking for bugs. Both boys are expert bug catchers and Kaylin is very excited over every find. They are also very busy finding other things to get into as well. The minute your back is turned, they have found a new use for some product. The lastest escapade was pouring juice and iced tea on the patio to make it "slippery to slide on". The other day it was peat moss all over the driveway. Who thinks of this stuff?