HERE AT A GARDEN FOR THE HOUSE, I’m storing my home-grown produce for the long, cold months ahead. First up? A year’s supply of a culinary herbs. To best preserve the aromatic oils of the leaves, I rely on three easy, herb-specific freezing-techniques: Herbal “Cigars”. These are easy to make and convenient to use. This… Read more »
IF YOU’VE NEVER PRESERVED ANYTHING FROM YOUR GARDEN OR FARMER’S MARKET BEFORE, Refrigerator Pickles are a great place to start. For unlike heat-processed pickles, these crisp, garlicky, perfect-for-snacking treats take almost no effort to make. The only challenge for the chef is the 2-day waiting period, while the cucumbers bask in their aromatic brew: Refrigerator… Read more »
HOME-GROWN POTATOES ARE THE BEST THINGS ON EARTH, and fortunately, you don’t need an acre of land to achieve a substantial harvest. I grow mine in two 4’x8’ raised beds, and manage to collect a six- to nine-month supply of delicious tubers come fall. Here is a guide to buying, planting, and harvesting this versatile… Read more »
I’m dreaming of luscious soups, savory side-dishes and jack-o-lanterns today. Why? Because my plantings of winter squash are ready for harvest. Here is my method for picking, curing and storing these powerhouses of fiber and beta-carotene: The time to pick butternut squash, acorn squash and pumpkins is when stems have shriveled, vines are beginning to… Read more »
