A couple of harvest pics. Beets have done well, with very little vole damage this year. I'm thinning carrots, which have also done very well. These were planted early, in last year's potato patch.
These beets are from the patch beside the corn. They're even bigger, but some have a bumpy surface, potato scabs. I'll have to add some pine needles to raise the acid levels next year.
Tomatoes are ripening now. Cucumbers are still coming along nicely. A few peppers every few days.
More pickles. I lucked out and got a bunch of dill at the fair. Exhibits are donated for an auction to raise money for next year's fair, and I bought the red ribbon dill. I wish I knew who had entered it. The stalks were about 7 feet high. It's keeping well in the fridge in a jar of water.
Yesterday's canning, 12 more jars of pickles, 10 more jars of beets. I also started
tinctures- thyme, speedwell, and pennyroyal. I froze three bags of beet tops (to eat like spinach).
I need to buy more jars! I buy more all the time, sometimes leaving the thrift stores with my trunk full. I had about twice as many this year as I had last year, and I'm down to the last couple of boxes now. Unbelievable. What can I say? It's been a good year in the garden.
We opened a jar of dill pickle relish. Blech. Husband likes it- it tastes like salsa to him. All I taste is onion. I'm going to try another batch and triple the cucumber. All I want is a nice, boring, cucumber relish recipe, like you can buy in any store.
Yarrow is growing in the ditch on our road, so today I'll go out and harvest some to dry. I dried mint and raspberry leaves for tea, and I have a bunch or parsley drying now (from the fair).
That is lots of food put up! Your family must like beets? It all looks so pretty in the garden and in the jars.
ReplyDeleteYes we do like beets. Sweet pickled beets, that is.
DeleteThanks!
lol I made John get me the pressure canner so my beets would never be ruined again by pickling them.
DeleteAwesome bumper crops this year..looking good woman :)
What's this blasphemy you speak of? Surely you jest! You must have at least pickled a few jars for him?
DeleteThanks!
Nope nary a jar :) He still has to finish last years batch so just yummy beets for me a little s&p a bit of butter= a happy me.
DeleteLol, well all is well then! It takes so little to make you happy. Enjoy!
DeleteWendy - awesome haul you got there! we love beets too! i love them pickled but i also like them fermented with daikon radish and garlic. do you ever make roasted beets? oh they are delicious! i love beet greens too - even more than spinach!
ReplyDeletewhat are you going to do with your yarrow?
your friend,
kymber
I had to look up daikon radish. I'd never heard of them before. I'm debating trying a beet/horseradish relish for Husband. I've never done horse radish before- which he likes and I have growing abundantly- but apparently it won't keep well on it's own. Apparently it will with the beets.
DeleteNope, never roasted beets either. I do occasionally take a bite out of one while I'm slipping off the skins- they smell good- but I don't like the flavour. I'm a pickle girl.
Stay tuned for the yarrow post. :)
oh let us know how the beet/horseradish relish turns out - sounds yummy! and i am looking forward to the yarrow post!
DeleteThe beets look great, and so do all the pickles!
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I was a child, my mom decided to expand our kitchen appliance collection by purchasing a microwave. She figured that cooking beets in the microwave would be very much like cooking potatoes. Imagine her surprise when I asked her, "Mom, is it supposed to be on fire?" Apparently, when cooking beets in a microwave, it is best to fully remove any remaining bits of the tops, slice and submerge them in water.
Thank you.
DeleteOh my! That would be scary. I stuck a plate with gold trim in the microwave once, and it started crackling and sparking. Scared the tar out of me!
And what a bounty that is and beautiful too. That should put a big dent in the food bill.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I have jumped on the juicing craz and have been juicing beets, carrots, kale and apples. OMG! Talk about feeling healty and tasty too. Only problem is the next morn. I'm sure you get my drift. Beets do interesting things... in the end.
Lol, I can't really attest to that. I do remember purple pee as a child though. How many beets did I eat?
Delete