In My San Diego Garden Kitchen

The navel orange crop is smaller than usual this winter. Perhaps it was injudicious pruning or maybe because last year’s was so bountiful. Nonetheless, the blossoms on the tree now portend an excellent crop next year. Sunny days will allow the bees to do their work and soon the backyard will be perfumed with orange blossom scent.

Last week I made the first batch of Sweetened Oven Dried Orange Slices. (In 2023, this post ranked fourth for the number of visits to my blog). I’ll make more slices from the best oranges. There’s definitely a sort these days—ones for juicing, nice peel for marmalade, sweetened oven dried orange slices or just for eating.

On a more summery note (though it’s still winter cool most days) I made Guava Agua Fresca from some of my limes and guava puree frozen from last season. It was a refreshing reminder of days ahead.

We find a few guavas ripening each week, out-of-season, but enjoyed in their scarcity.

The Red Russian and Black Magic kales have thrived in the cool. Rain interspersed with sunny days keep it growing well, though some gray aphids find it attractive.

Inattentiveness and rain let the spinach leaves grow larger than I usually prefer. Lightly steamed they were still tender.

I continue to assemble garden gift bags from the late winter largesse.

A favorite salad from the garden last week: various greens, celery, Romanesco, pistachios and pink grapefruit from a Palm Springs friend.

I gathered what was at hand in the garden for a “this and that” bouquet for the church entry table. It spoke spring to me.

Check the What I’m Planting Now page as I transplant and sow seeds in the cool season garden and plan for the summer garden. Then head today to Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog and see what garden bloggers around the world harvested last week.

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