As new farmers, we have much to learn. We also went about this whole adventure by jumping in with both feet. I knew generally that certain plants were harvested into the fall, like squash. I didn't know how long squash would stay fresh for cooking after it was cut from the vine. For Thanksgiving, we stuffed butternut squash, acorn squash and a pumkin. All three had been cut and sitting in the dry warmth of our house for the past 4 weeks as decor. They cooked up wonderfully!
We also have a persimmon tree which though small has had a bountiful harvest. Our meals regularly include eggs from the chickens, persimmons and squash. The peppers and eggplant held on until the frosts this past week though I think if I'd not been so busy, I'd have had them covered for protection. In that case, I think they would have survived. Either way, its December, and we have delicious fruit, some vegetables and our eggs to give us steady food into the start of winter.
And our oranges look like they'll be ready to harvest in a few weeks! I'm simply amazed. Further, as I type this I'm munching on seeds we roasted out of our home grown squashes. Winter gardening can be just as productive. This weekend, I'm looking forward to getting the garden ready for a winter season of composting and preparing for spring--at least for those areas not still in some type of production mode.
Pumpkin Seed Roasting Recipe (I mixed the acorn and butternut squash seeds in too):
This is my mother's "old fashioned" way of serving up natural pumpking seeds.
1. Thoroughly clean off all the pulp from the seeds then rinse them under cold water in a strainer to be sure they are good and clean.
2. Boil them in salt water for 10 minutes.
3. Pre-heat the oven to 275 degrees F.
4. Spread the seeds out on a cookie or baking sheet.
5. Roast them for 10-25 minutes. Depending on the heat of the oven this may take a little longer. You really have to watch the seeds to be sure they don't burn. Use a spatula to turn them occasionally so that each side just barely begins to turn a golden brown.
6. Remove and allow to cool.
7. Enjoy!
