The Author of Creation is not without an element of whimsy. You only have to people watch at an airport to notice that. The same is true in the field. It intrigues me, that while each plant gets the very same start and is planted within its group at the essentially the very same...there is still so much variety.
The first year gardener will dutifully mark the calendar days until harvest as indicated in the seed catelogue. Quickly they learn .... that is a vague estimate at best. Light, water, soil and air temperature all play a factor. Then there is planting depth and distance, soil type and on it goes.
Among my favorite things to harvest is the eggplant. She comes later in the summer. After tomato but before the peppers. For me she is both sensual and exotic. So different from all the other vegetables with her deep purple hue and velvet skin. She hides herself mysteriously, among the leaves in half light, waiting to be discovered.
She varies considerably depending on her variety. The bulbus shaped Italian form has a more intense flavour. The long slender Japanese form is equally tender fleshed but a hint sweeter to taste.
Now we are in the thick of the season. Much of our summer crops are still with us and we are at the same time seeing the arrival of our fall lineup. Our packing department will NOT be happy with me come Monday. But the heavy onslaught is short lived so this is the time to celibrate and savour the plenty that is gifted us this season from the field.
Enjoy!
~Michael
