February 25, 2013

Welcome to my garden and kitchen during the winter harvest. The work of the fall, frequent rains intermixed with days that sparkle, the anticipation, issue now in abundance. Can you feel my smile and delight?

Swiss chard was the starting point for an amazing meal this past week. If you missed it, check A Galette of Winter Greens. I snipped chard, red frills mustard, radicchio, endive and arugula which you can see on the prior post.

We had rain early in the week which replenished the rain barrels, washed clean the vegetables and made everything glisten.

With broccoli heads harvested, we begin the side shoots season. Not many now, so this weekend I fertilized with an organic liquid seaweed and fish fertilizer mixed with the gathered rainwater. (Bi-coastal moment: Neptune’s Harvest from Gloucester, MA)

It’s citrus season in California and we celebrate the largesse daily. There’s orange juice most mornings and oranges for lunch or in a fruit salad at dinner. Scads go out the door to friends, co-workers and family.

My Mom and Dad gave us this Washington navel twenty two years ago–a housewarming gift. They are gone now but wouldn’t they have loved to see the abundant harvest? Their gift gives on.

With the harvest of the last limes, I pruned the potted tree outside my kitchen door. With some fertilizer, rain and warmth in only a week there is fresh growth and renewed vigor.

Last night’s dinner: Spiced Red Lentils with Carmelized Onions and Spinach.

And don’t these make you smile? 

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne’s Dandelions. It’s a time to share what you’re harvesting in your garden or how you’re storing or using it.