Black Krim

Three Black Krim Plants = Three Tomatoes

One was claimed by the squirrels, the second (above) we picked early to save it from said squirrels, and the third is still on the vine.  Will the last one survive?  It’s a mystery.

After ripening for three days in [...]

Missing Cape Cod

…And, beach plum jam

I could buy some.  Nah, that’s too easy.  I think I’ll try to devise a convoluted recipe.

This is my current plan:

I Wanna Be Beach Plum Jam

1-2 large bunches of tart grapes, halved & seeded
2-4 tart purple plums
juice of one or [...]

A Rainbow of Radishes

The radishes are finally big enough to eat!  We’ve seen cream, pink, red & white, deep red, and red with darker red stripes.  But, they all taste the same… spicy.  Not just a little bit spicy, oh no, they’re fire breathing, eye watering, mouth full of wasabi HOT.  A result of [...]

An Embarrassment of Figs & Cherry Tomatoes

The first ripe figs are almost bursting after this weekend’s heavy rain.  Our brown turkey fig tree is littered with green figs that will ripen any day.  Today, we had about two overflowing handfuls of ripe figs.

Liquid sugar hinting of honey… yum

And, we [...]

Fried Kantola

Kantola (Momordica Dioica, or Balsam Pear)

Kantola (or, balsam pear) is a type of bitter gourd known by many names.  Momordica dioica, balsam apple, spine gourd, konkani, kakrol, kankro, kantroli, aakakarakaya, phagla, phaagil, ban karela, bhat karola, kartola, teasel gourd and boda kakarakaya are just a few.  It’s rich in calcium, phosphorus, [...]

Fresh Green Almonds

Fresh Almonds

Technically, the fruit of the almond tree is a drupe… not a nut.  The entire green almond is edible.  But, the outer green shell is quite tough to chew.  And, it has a sour taste that can become unpleasant quickly.  (I’d say the taste is similar to that of a [...]

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Another mostly healthy granola bar… yeah, I know.  Boring.  But, these were really, really good.  And, I don’t want to forget the recipe.  It’s super-simple and quick.  They make a great small meal or a hearty snack.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars
makes 1 8×8 square dish

2 cups quick cooking oats, pulsed [...]

Scott Peacock's Corn Muffins

Scott Peacock made corn muffins on Martha Stewart’s show this Monday.  Given it’s similarity to an Italian polenta cake, it was a recipe I had to make immediately.  But, of course, I had to add my own little touches of Italy.  So, his buttermilk corn muffins become my savory polenta cake.

Sweet Almond Polenta Cake

This mildly sweet treat works as a small breakfast, snack or light dessert.   Not too plain… not too sweet.  And, I love the delicate crumbly texture.

Sweet Almond Polenta Cake
makes one 8 x 8″ square

1 cups AP flour
3/4 cup polenta, fine
1/2 cup blanched almonds, finely ground
1 teaspoon [...]

Currant Filled Cookies

I’m not happy with the cookie portion.  I want a more tender, crumbly cookie to wrap around this yummy currant filling.  I think next time I’ll use a mildly sweet sugar cookie recipe.

Dried Currant Paste
makes 3 cups of filling

2 cups dried currants
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 [...]