Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Garden and a Recipe

Our garden is doing its job this year.  If you have read any of my previous posts you know that the first year our garden went gangbusters but last year the weather did not cooperate and it did not produce much for all the work hubs put into it.  This year is much better.
Hubs just uncovered this sign a couple of weeks ago.  It was still packed from our move 3 years ago.  We made this sign together when we were first married and planted our first garden together.  It is missing the single vegetables that I had painted and was hanging from the bottom.
Tomatoes of course.
Summer squash and cantaloupe.
 Green beans, lima beans and the cucumbers are growing through both.

More tomatoes.
Tomatoes, bell peppers and many varieties of hot peppers.
These vines are the gourds that I plant along the fence inside the garden.
This our pumpkin and winter squash patch.  Hubs probably would not like this picture because it shows the grass that we are always battling on that end of the garden.  I wanted to give you a small tour of what our garden looks like and a share a recipe for cucumber relish that I am making my second batch of this season.  I have tried a few different recipes but this is my family's favorite.  I thought my mother gave it to me around 30 years ago but she says she never canned relish.  I am still leaning toward it coming from her recipe box because it has her recipe for pickled beets on the other side of the note paper I have it scratched out on.

Cucumber Relish

Night before:
Chop (I use my little Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus chopper)
10 cups cucumbers
1 stalk celery
3 sweet red peppers
3 cups onions
Mix together in large bowl and cover with 1/4 cup salt and 6 cups of water.  Leave overnight.  I cover the bowl with a large tray and leave it sit on my counter.
The next day drain mixture well. 
Make mixture of:
4 cups sugar
4 cups distilled vinegar
2 teaspoons celery seed
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
Bring to a boil and pour over mixture and simmer for one hour.  Seal in hot jars. 
I process for 10 minutes in a hot water bath.

Use some old utensils that you do not care about turning a yellow color from the turmeric.
This recipe usually makes around 14 half pints.
Let me know if you try the recipe how it turns out for you and if you like it.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a great week so far.  Blessings!

13 comments:

The Chicken Keepers said...

Hello! We have many gardens for veggies and flowers. Your garden looks great! We can as well too! Neat blog. Check out our blog at thechickenkeepers.blogspot.com

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wow what a nice garden. Love your sign also!!

Jenny said...

Please, please, please let me come help in your garden! This reminds me so much of my Ohio ones! Ours are getting exhausted and burned up from the heat and I am almost ready to solarize the beds and give them a 6 - 8 week rest.

this recipe sounds delicious.

I am really impressed with everything you are doing.

And really envious, too!

Gosh. Absolutely cool!

Holly said...

That looks so good and tasty!!!
Your garden looks amazing...can't believe all those tomatoes!! I never have much luck with those,but still plant them every year!!
I've been harvesting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage...tons and tons of raspberries, and lettuce ,but that's about it. Got a few peas today and my first zucchini. My dill is ready,but my cukes are only and inch long...oh well!!!!
Pumpkins are my favorite!!

Vicki H. said...

Beautiful garden! My husband has several square foot gardens and we will have beans soon! Yum

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a beautiful garden you have!! I am slightly envious.

mrs. c said...

Girl, I am soooo impressed with your garden!!!! You and hubs have done a great job, I want to be you when I grow up!! Where are the weeds, how do you have such a lovely, weedp-free garden?? I want to come to your house and learn from the masters!!! You and Hibs are amazing! I am trying your recipe, I can cook but you are a true garden-expert!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your garden is wonderful! And your sign! I love that you and your DH like to garden together!

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Your garden is AWESOME! Oh my gosh - I want a veggie garden like that. Seriously, great job. Thanks for the recipe!

Bee Lady said...

What a beautiful garden. You put me to shame. Ok - so the whole relish thing...it looks yummy, but I just can't figure out what to do with relish except hamburgers and hotdogs. What else do you put relish on? Cindy

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/awards-from-the-blogging-universe/one-lovely-blog-award/

two awards for you to share with your blogging friends.
thanks!
;)
Happy Saturday!

About Me... said...

YuMMMMMM. Gonna try the cuke relish when I get enough of them accumulated. THANKS. Your garden looks splendid...and I love the pic of your grand son crashed out on the floor. :o) shery

Rebekah said...

Brenda, Thank you so much for your link. I am completely INSPIRED! Your garden is incredible. It looks huge. Your fence and gate is exactly what I should do! I love it!!