In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen
Cauliflower season commenced last week with the harvest of DePurple cauliflower above and Amazing (white) below. This year I grew both DePurple and Graffiti from Territorial Seed Company. Last spring, I stopped at their storefront in Cottage Grove, Oregon on a trip north. When asked about the differences, staff said the DePurple may be easier to grow. Here’s the description at Territorial Seed Company which is consistent with my observations this season.
DePurple is attracting unequalled attention with its alluring lilac florets topping creamy stems. Maintaining its color in cooking, DePurple makes a presentational impact on the table. Big, robust plants have a squat, slightly open habit and produce 7 inch, dense, domed heads. More reliable under various conditions than other purple cauliflowers.
The first white cauliflower entree is often Cauliflower Cheese Soup from the original Moosewood Cookbook. It did not disappoint at last night’s dinner.
The Golden Sweet Snow Pea crop is abundant this year perhaps due in part to favorable growing conditions and over eight inches of rain since July 1. All winter crops seem to be doing exceptionally well.
The last statement should perhaps be qualified. Aren’t radishes easy to grow? They’re not my best crop most years. As the cauliflower is removed I’ll try another few succession sowings. Maybe they’ll prefer planting in the cool and rain of February instead of the variable fall weather.
A January surprise has been a dozen very large, out of season strawberry guavas. They’re in view just outside my kitchen window so as they darken I snatch them before they drop.
We recently drove to the Seattle area to visit our son and his family. Traveling in the cool of an atmospheric river and snow, an ice chest full of vegetables, citrus and frozen summer fruits fared well. The tangerines were the favorites of the grands.
The last bouquet of the garden paperwhites destined for the church entry yesterday.
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