If you have ever stood in a peach orchard at the peak of the season, inhaling the scent of ripeness, you’ll never buy a hard supermarket peach ever again. Tree ripened peaches have overtones of almond, which is not a coincidence considering they are both from the same genus of plants, the Rose family. The […]
Heirloom Sunflowers
Next year, I am planting twice as many heirloom sunflowers. Seeds are easy to sow, plants grow effortlessly and they are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Many of the heirloom sunflowers drop their seed, and volunteer on their own while others are intentionally sown around the kitchen garden. Perhaps the charm of the sunflower […]
Fresh Tomato Salsa with Maple Syrup
Fresh Tomato Salsa with Maple Syrup| Makes 6 cups or 3 pints In Vermont we add maple syrup to everything, including fresh tomatoes and herbs for a fresh, tangy salsa. The sweet syrup tames the acidity of tomatoes, add the small bite of hot peppers and it is an explosion of flavors. Don’t be daunted […]
Garden Party Kebabs
A recent Sunday night gathering with friends, I served the perfect no cook meal for a hot evening: garden party kebabs. Inspired by the last of the summer harvest: cherry tomatoes, young zucchini, sweet red peppers and a dozen small onions. Chopping a bounty of cucumbers into a minty yogurt dipping sauce, all served with a […]
Ginger Peach Chutney
Ginger peach chutney is a condiment made from fresh fruits and strong spices, it simmers on the stovetop for almost an hour until it reaches a glossy sheen; packed into jars and stored for several months to build up plenty of intense flavor. Making the first batch of the season is a little bit like […]
How to design a kitchen garden
How to Design a Kitchen Garden A well designed kitchen garden is a work of art, with a tapestry of colors, textures and shapes. It may give the impression of carefree abundance, yet it is organized and carefully planned. If this is your first garden, get to truly know your landscape first and then start […]
Fresh Blueberry Pie
Fresh blueberry pie for breakfast is a summer staple, and my recipe is a little different than a traditional blueberry pie: it’s not baked! Only the crust is baked in advance, keeping the house cool and the pie chilled for perfect summer serving. It is a traditional old-time favorite recipe I developed for one of […]
