On the weekend, I had the good fortune of a large vehicle with lots of loading potential (read: fresh fruit and veggie haul). I spent the weekend in the Shuswap, running away from the frost threat in Calgary and visiting family, hanging by the beach, and visiting my favourite local fruit stands in search of a good deal. So haul I did. I brought back 80 pounds of roma tomatoes, 10 pounds of organic peaches, 5 pounds of locally grown blueberries, a few bundles of locally grown organic beets, a carton of fresh plums, some this-year's-apples and many-a-bag of fresh basil. That was just my order, never mind a few friends' that went in to the back of my red van.
Read moreA MONTH OF PUTTING UP THE HARVEST - Day 18
I kind of feel like I'm cheating with today's post. It's a non-post, really. I have done a lot of these kinds of things over the years and already this season, but it's one that does in fact come in quite handy over the course of the year. It's putting up the fruit harvest, and there are a couple of ways you can do it. I'll show the simplest ways, and will endeavour to make a fermented version of fruit-keeping in the days ahead, seeing as I just hauled home some great finds from a produce stall in the Shuswap. I tell you, the harvest season is quite easily one of my most favourite times of the year, it has all the excitement that Christmas had for me when I was a kid, but in fresh food form. I know, geek, amiright?
Read moreA MONTH OF PUTTING UP THE HARVEST - Day 17
There is a french expression "sauve-garder" which when translated, means "to back up". If you translate it literally, it would mean to save and guard, or save and keep. So today's post is in the spirit of sauve-garder, or save and guarding in order to keep. This is a new-to-me method of putting up the harvest, preserving herbs in salt!
Read moreA MONTH OF PUTTING UP THE HARVEST - Day 16
Monday Monday. I trust you had a great time picking up the local bounty at this past weekend's farm stalls and markets, yes? Or do you find yourself overwhelmed with the amounts of greens your garden or your CSA seem to be producing? Fret not my greens loving friend, help is near.
Read moreA MONTH OF PUTTING UP THE HARVEST - Day 15
Happy Friday! I trust this note finds you well in the throes of putting up the harvest for the summer. In our parts, it appears summer is almost ready to make a quick exit, but only for a brief time so if you haven't done so already and are able to and find yourself in southern Alberta, you may want to cover the crops tonight. They're calling for that dreaded F word...
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