September was about family as we were in Seattle for three weeks for the arrival of our second grandson. Many days were spent with our son, Andy’s family and getting properly reacquainted with our two-year-old grandson who we had not seen during Covid-19. We quarantined, tested and drove both ways to keep them safe.

And of course we brought to them garden produce: peppers, honeynut squash, green beans, tomatoes, frozen apricots and applesauce.

On our departure in early September there was little left for a neighbor to tend but she kindly kept the bell peppers and zinnias going. She also coddled 24 cauliflower and Brussels sprouts seedlings which are now happily settled into the October garden.

We returned home to a bounty of red bell peppers, most in the 8-11 ounce range. Since the thumbnail photo, I’ve harvested another eight large red bell peppers.

The arugula was ready to harvest on our return and provided a suitable base for red pepper panzanella. There’s also been black bean soup with roasted red peppers and a hearty Spanish red stew with more roasted red peppers. I’ll freeze chopped and frozen peppers for later use and roast more for quick additions to entrees.

I harvested the last of the ‘Black Magic’ kale planted a year ago. Unlike other years, aphids did not overrun the plants in the spring, as with other varieties, other years. I removed the last plant to make room for ccol season crops, keeping some for my uses and giving away the lower leaves to friends with various critters.

On the day I planted my carrots I was motivated to use some of the purple carrots, harvested last spring and carefully stored in my produce drawer. I chose a recipe for Braised Purple Carrots made with fresh sage, shallots and port wine. The cooking method and choice of ingredients gave the carrots richness and depth of flavor. Oh, and a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving.

Soon after our return I gathered some of the last ‘Hot Cocoa’ roses, grevillea and the asters that are a fall fav for a seasonal bouquet.

You may enjoy seeing what other garden bloggers harvested last week at Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres.

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