The End Of The Harvest

Summer is coming to a rapid close and with it the harvests of the seasons. Many plants are still producing fruit and vegetables well into apple and pear time. Don't worry if you still have some. There's so many recipes that call for them.

Tomatoes are the most versatile of any garden fruit.If you still have an abundance of them, then consider the red gems for salsa cruda. This is a simple sauce to  make because the only cooking involves the pasta.It's taking tomatoes of any kind, chopping them and letting them marinate in garlic and olive oil.Feta or mozzarella can be added as well. Of course salsa is the easiest way of dealing with a bumper crop. Roast the tomatoes along with chili peppers for a smoky rich flavor. Like any other fruit, tomatoes can be turned into a preserve.The best part, it doesn't require any elaborate canning equipment or skills. It's just cooking it on a low heat for two to three hours and then letting it set in the fridge in any kind of jar.Tomato jam is versatile and can top anything and everything from crab cakes to fried eggs. It can also be whisked into a vinaigrette for some punch or served on toasted and oiled Italian bread. If you have green tomatoes and want to clean out the garden, pick and put in a paper bag to ripen. You can also fry them too. The coating is a double one, with the first just being flour and the second being a mix of breadcrumbs and cornmeal for some crunch and bite.

Tomatoes also go well with another end of harvest veggie - pepper. Combine the two with eggplant and onion for a tasty ratatouille, perfect for an early fall al fresco lunch. Peppers, alone , can be tasty. Use any bumper crop to make a pepper salad. Julienne into strips and toss with a simple vinaigrette. Crumble in some feta cheese for variation and bite. Of course, there's nothing like that great comfort dish  - stuffed peppers. Make them the traditional way with ground beef and rice or mix it up with ground turkey and chili powder. Yes, they can also be pickled too. The process is an elaborate canning one, that does require skill and equipment. Zucchini is another part of a late summer harvest. Try spiralizing them to create a healthier kind of pasta. Saute the strands in an olive oil and crushed garlic. It can be stuffed too or split in half to create boats. This last is a fun way to serve the squash. You can stuff them with meat and cover with sauce and mozzarella or skip the meat for a pizzaiola .  A sweeter idea is using it in a spice laden bread, redolent with cinnamon and cloves or a cake, 
rich with dates, topped with an orange cream cheese frosting.

An end of season bumper crop is a true gift. Use this harvest in a variety of ways to create tasty dishes and desserts. It's a nice way to clean out the garden and fill up the fridge.

One Day Can Last A Year

Patriot's Day is a time not only of remembrance but of  coming together. In these divided times we need to be closer now more than ever. It's time to open our hearts ad our kitchens.

One of the best ways to keep up  communal unity and harmony  is to open our doors and let our neighbors come for a meal.It's the best way of getting to know people, their backgrounds, and  customs.,It's also a good time to expand palates and cookbooks. Many have experienced ethnic and even American foods second hand usually in restaurants and fast food joints. This is a chance to enjoy homemade kim chi, or samosas, apple pie and hamburgers made by home chefs.It's a chance for kids to also taste different food from different countries for the first time. It teaches them about their friends's ancestries along with bonding them even closer. An even better idea is holding a block party any time of the year (even winter when there is always a combination of different holidays from different beliefs). Everyone can contribute and make the best of their repertoire. Celebrate the event with a cookbook featuring everyone's  recipes and their pictures. A short description of each recipe , why it's made and what it means to the families can also be included.

Another way to unite a neighborhood is taking care of each other. Don't think twice about inviting elderly neighbors over for a Saturday night supper or a Sunday roast. They'd appreciate an old fashioned home cooked meal.Include their favorite dishes too and make sure that they have a plate of leftovers to take home. It's also a good time for the kids to learn history by asking a generation who may have lived through the Second World War and the Korean War. Elderly neighbors can also be invited over for a weekday lunch and possibly a card game if everyone has the time.Also don';t hesitate to bake a cake for their birthday as well as sharing your garden's late summer harvest with them.Remember also , those who may be in need too. Donate your bumper produce to the local food pantry along with helping out at soup kitchens. Do this throughout the year not just on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bring the kids too because they need to acquire a sense of empathy towards those less fortunate.

This is only one day but it can be extended to last throughout the year. Be inclusive when you cook. Open your heart and garden and hearth to everyone . It's a great way of uniting people.