Once again it’s a week of first and last things from the garden. The last of the snow peas were gathered with the vines left to set seed for next year’s crop.

The broccoli side shoots are waning. They’re smaller and fewer. As the weather warms there will be aphids to contend with so I’ll pull the plants soon.

Spring minestrone made it to the menu with all the garden and fridge vegetables: snow peas, broccoli, celery, snap peas, leeks and onions. White beans added some substance at the end with Parmesan to top off.

The first of the Brussels sprouts joined the slim weekly harvests yesterday. They weren’t beautiful so I adjusted my cooking method.

The ones I snapped from the stalk had begun to unfurl like little cabbages. I sliced them crosswise and cooked quickly in olive oil with additions of red pepper flakes, orange zest and sunflower seeds at the finish.

Some of the April garden glory–larkspur, feverfew and Mexican marigolds.

Enjoy viewing the garden bounty shared on Harvest Monday, hosted by Our Happy Acres.