Enjoy them while they're here: Eggplants, tomatillos, okra and melons are winding down their production and we're pulling out the cucumber and tomato greenhouses to make way for winter greens! It's bittersweet, we're excited for winter greens but the abysmally low production of tomatoes was so sad this summer. We'll be doing lots of research this winter to try and solve that mystery. Meanwhile, lots of cool weather veggies are on their way like Brussels, cabbages, radishes and turnips. There are a few more early carrot bunches for this week, and then we'll see how the winter planting is sizing up. Remember they don't get frost sweetened till a little later on... but they're still delicious ;)
We found a couple of new favourite eggplant dishes this week. It's been a very prolific eggplant year, so we're getting creative. Pasta alla Norma is a Sicilian treat with eggplant in a tomato sauce instead of meat. You cut up and roast the eggplant first, then add it to the pasta sauce for a delicious result and a "meatyness" beyond simple marinara. We thinly sliced some Dinosaur kale into the sauce too, along with garlic, onions and a grating of parmesan on top. We also tried putting an eggplant whole on the grill above the fire if anyone is cooking outdoors... and then just scooped out the tender delicious smoky goodness from the charred skins. A little sprinkle of salt and we have a new favourite side dish. I think it would work great on the bbq too!
Looking ahead to the holiday weekend we'll be listing lots of treasures like pumpkins, Brussels, sweet potatoes, leeks and spinach. We're starting to get excited about feasting with friends and family, who are you inviting to dinner?
