Sunday, May 15, 2011

Jerusalem Artichokes.

There is so much to love about Autumn and there is so much to savour in all that it has to offer. The fiery landscapes as we bid farewell to the summer that was, the cold mornings and ultra light days, the first taste of coffee in the early morning, and each time swearing it's the best coffee ever- because coffee just tastes so much better when the weather starts to cool. Autumn is also a time when comfort food takes on a whole new meaning.

It is also a time when produce of the colder months begin to show their abundance at the markets. Chestnuts, pumpkins, apples, persimmons, pine mushrooms and of course, jerusalem artichokes (aka, sunchokes). There is indeed, so much to love about Autumn.

Well, today, I'm just enjoying a lazy Sunday, putting more broadbeans into the garden and making soup for weekday lunches. There is something about a bowl of hot jerusalem artichoke soup that makes me smile. Yes I do, I do love jerusalem artichokes.


Ingredients: olive oil, garlic, onions, water, chicken stock, jerusalem artichokes, cream and a bit of happiness (butter, lescure of course).

Where?
My place.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Hello Winter (I know it's Autumn).

As the cold of autumn has well and truly set in, I decided it was time to get rid of the tomatillos and soybeans. Unfortunately, I had put the tomatillos in way too late in summer and they were incredibly slow to ripen so I thought I'd cut my losses this year and spend some extra time in soil preparation for some autumn plantings.

I have left the padrons in though, but I think this week is the week to remove them. I am glad I had the opportunity to harvest a small amount of soy beans and they are definitely well and truly worth the effort of planting. Definitely on the list for next year.

I didn't want to make the mistake of putting things in way too late like I did in Spring/Summer.

During the month of April I've managed to put the following in:

Romanesco Broccoli - Click the link to find out what Romanesco Broccoli is [Link]
Peas - Melting Mammoth, Purple Podded, Sugar snaps
Carrots - Yellow, White, Purple
Garlic - Italian White
Mâche - Click the link to find out what Mache is [Link]
Purple Savoy Cabbage
Purple Cauliflower
Broadbeans - 2 varieties, big and small.


Photos of my Romanesco 1 month apart - why do they grow so slowly. You can also see soem garlic.

Where?
My backyard.