It’s time once again for Harvest Monday, where we celebrate all things harvest related. The harvests here have taken a turn for summer I believe. The greenhouse cucumbers are a dependable summer crop for me, and a good use for the greenhouse when summer temps regularly get over 100°F during the day. I’m trialing a couple of new ones this year, as well as growing my tried and true favorites. Mini Munch is new to me, and gave us our first fruits of 2020. I love the Beit Alpha types with their thin and tender skins. These small ones are sometimes called “cocktail” or “snacking” cucumbers, and are generally pricey whenever I see them in the grocery.
Mini Munch cucumbers
Corinto is a slicing type with dark green skin and one of my favorites, and it always produces well for me. It’s hanging out with a couple heads of Muir lettuce, which are holding on in the greenhouse despite the hot weather. I turned the cuke into refrigerator pickles.
Corinto cucumber and Muir lettuce
The bees haven’t found our squash plants yet so I have been hand pollinating every morning. Once they find the garden, they usually clean the male blossoms of pollen before I even get out there. It’s not hard to do by hand, but I sometimes forget to check for female blooms.
pollinating squash
My efforts have been rewarded with several yellow squash and zucchinis. Tempest is a great tasting yellow squash bred by Johnny’s. I sauteed these two in a little butter for a side dish. I also like them grilled, which is what I did with one of the zucchinis.
Tempest squash
The kohlrabi I have growing behind the greenhouse are mostly ready for pulling. I took nine the other morning, including Konan, Beas, Terek and Kolibri. I used some to make fermented kohlrabi pickles, and a couple more to make a pint jar of kohlrabi kraut. The rest are for fresh use, either raw or cooked.
kohlrabi harvest
trimmed kohlrabi
And more of the broccolini was ready to cut last week. Apollo is one I’ve grown for several years and makes decent sized main heads with lots of side shoots. I used this bunch for a Broccoli and Walnut Salad we enjoyed as a cool side dish on a hot day.
Apollo broccoli
Burgundy is a purple sprouting broccoli that heads up in spring and fall. It too makes decent sized main heads and lots of side shoots.
Burgundy broccoli
The lettuce is holding up in the greenhouse but not liking the heat. I won’t replant any more until fall when the temps moderate. We should have plenty to eat for a couple of weeks more.
Tango and Starfighter lettuce
Harvest Monday is a day to show off your harvests, how you are saving your harvest, or how you are using your harvest. If you have a harvest you want to share, add your name and blog link to Mr Linky below. And be sure and check out what everyone is harvesting!