Penelope's Page

just made a wonderful batch of fresh pesto with basil from my garden, pine nuts, freshly graded parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. i grew garlic this year too for the first time and it formed large lovely bulbs, the kind with the hard stem in the center. the basil perfumed the whole house -- not only does good food taste delicious, but pleasant aromas add greatly to the pleasure and contentment of a household.

I'm at the age when dear friends begin to die off. Another dear one just bit the dust, a poet. His friends are gathering in a week for a memorial reading of his works and works dedicated to him. We are instructed to bring food for a potluck dinner beforehand. Garden produce is stressed in the invitation, particularly tomatoes. Steven loved growing his own tomatoes before diabetes took his legs and he no longer knew how tall he was.

What shall I take to the event?

The local Mormons have a tradi… Continue

I have a very small garden and even so, often have more than I can eat, but not enough at one time to really preserve in the traditional way. So, I make Quick-Pickles -- that is, I pickle a couple of cucumbers or a handful of beets and store them in glass in the refrigerator. They keep for several weeks and are nice accompaniments to meals.

Seems that onions and garlic are necessary ingredients, as are brown sugar (for sweet flavors) and good vinegar, whether cider or white wine vinegar. Slice… Continue