And you thought I was a sorry gardener. See what I can produce with a week of vacation? And I don’t even have a vegetable garden.
Some friends are out of town and gave us their weekly allotment of fresh veggies from the co-op. I’m sure they extended such a gracious offer because Mr. Sorry and I are such upstanding folks and not just because Jubilee Farm is in our neck of the woods. Mr. Sorry drives past it on his way to the Carnation golf course, but I’d never been there. It was a fun outing, even though I felt a little weird picking up someone else’s veggies.
Before I picked up my fresh organic loot, I wandered out to the U-Pick field to see what was growing.
Snap peas on the vine! They’d been picked over pretty thoroughly, and Jubilee-owner Wendy mentioned that they were waiting for a flush of new crop. But I found a few to nibble. Unfortunately, since I knew nothing about snap peas, I ate a couple of skinny flat ones that would’ve been the new crop before I realized I should keep my hands off those and only eat the fat ones. I think that’s actually what Wendy was hinting at. Damn. They were so sweet and yummy. Possibly even worth the hassle to string them up properly and grow them at home. And I assure you that right after I snapped the photo of that particular snap pea, I ate it. Mmm.
Of course I have nasturtiums in my own garden, but I ate a couple of Jubilee’s anyway. You know food nearly always tastes better when you eat out, even if it’s edible flowers. I have to admit that I was starting to feel a bit like a deer, though, standing in the field browsing on someone else’s plants.
I didn’t know bachelor’s buttons were so pretty, but I don’t get out much.
Here’s how they grow tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest, folks. Greenhouses. So if mine die on the vine in my puny plot, I don’t want to hear any guff.
The aptly named golden centurian stood proud as a Roman legion. It looks a whole lot like a weed, but it sure was fun to photograph its fluffy plumes in various states of bloom and demise.
The camomile smelled just like it does in a tea bag and kinda made me sneeze, but it’s just so darned cheerful that I had to have a cup to go.
And, although it’s just July, I’m already tired of dragging around the garden hose, so I had a serious fit of lust over the irrigation system.
I finally wandered back into the market to pick up my veggies: fresh spinach, mixed lettuce, red lettuce, bok choy, kale, broccoli, scallions (since they still had dirt on the roots, let’s call them green onions), turnips, and kohlrabi.
For dinner last night, it was shrimp on the grill, a fresh mixed salad, and fresh broccoli. It was the best broccoli I’ve ever had in my life (and I love broccoli). So sweet, so tender, so not bitter. Damn. I’m going to have to plant real veggies next year, aren’t I?
I’m not exactly sure what to do with the turnips and kohlrabi. But maybe Heather, my favorite vegetarian blogger over at Grow It. Eat it., will stop by and suggest a good recipe. Hint, hint.
And thanks Lisa and Amritansh for sharing your veggies jubilee.
Well deer, You have outdone yourself with your veggie still life. It just calls to me to add nice thick oil…paint!
What an awesome way to pick your veggies. I love it! Here you get all the benefit and very little of the work. Very nice!
Good point. I did get just the enjoyment part. I worry about my tomato plants so much that I’m not sure I can bring myself to actually eat the fruits of my labor once that day comes.
Just slice up those turnips and fry them (in olive oil) with some potatoes!!! Yum!!
Hey, Bethany. I figured that could only be you. I didn’t know you were following my blog. Fried turnips sound Midwestern yummy. My friend Christine also suggested them grilled, which is right up Mr. Sorry’s alley, so we’ll probably split the batch and try them both ways.
Lucky old you! Can you convince your friends to go away more often? I’ve never cooked kohlrabi (which a neighbour used to call “cool rabbi”), but the turnip would be nice steamed and tossed with some butter and a dash of maple syrup.
Nice harvest there, Kelly!
Lynn
I too am a member of the Jubilee Farm CSA – I came across your blog after I searched for “golden centurian.” I brought some home today and am just enthralled with them and want to find out more. Glad you enjoyed the farm. Sounds like you’ve got lots of good ideas for your food now, but I’m always happy to recommmend a recipe.
Laura
http://whatsfordinnermom-laura.blogspot.com/