1

Sounds good. We're way behind you but just had our second big tossed salad, and bok choi for the veg. Now it will be bok choi for the next week-- it's suddenly exploded. This is a month after transplant for us.

2

We have an eggplant glutt right now and the snow peas have just started.

3

Weaver dont think your behide us here this year, we may not get any toms' and only small spuds,(blite) we are 2 - 3 weeks late.

4

mockchoc, eggplant is one of the few things I simply can't grow here on the shore (along with corn, lots of tomatoes and lots of sweet peppers) and I love eggplant. Happy glut. Make some capponata.

5

I haven't made capponata before but yes I shall try it out Weaver.

6

From Ada Boni's "Italian Regional Cooking" -- my version.

Caponata (I can't spell in any language. This is right -- I got it from the book.)

2 1/2 lbs. eggplant, more or less. Diced,1/2" skin on.
Sprinkle liberally w/ salt and put in colander to drain for about an hour.
1 bunch white celery (I use a small bunch of celery heart.) wash, dry & chop in 1/2" chunks.)
1 small onion, thinly sliced.
3 oz. tomato paste
4 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 c red wine vinegar ( I use 1 c. dry red wine + 1/4 c red wine vinegar. Use good quality vinegar.)
2 Tblsp. capers
1 - 1 1/2 c. green olives some whole , some sliced.
Lots of olive oil for frying.
Rinse and dry eggplant. Fry in lots of oil (recipe says deep fry.) Drain on paper towels.

Heat about 1 c. olive oil and add celery & onion until it begins to change colour.
Add tomato paste and a little warm water to dilute the paste. Cook for a few minutes.
Add eggplant, capers, olives, sugar, vinegar & wine. Add some fresh-ground pepper. Cover & simmer for about 20 min. Serve at room temperature.
I bottle it in sterile, small jars for antipasto.

7

Weaver lots of oil is a no no right now since I'm striving to be my perfect weight for sons wedding soon. Maybe I can tweek the recipe somehow.

No weeds growing here and don't want the munchies in anycase :)

8

arbon - are you able to raise chickens at your home? Some cities nearby allow small backyard coops - not more than 5 birds - but zoning for my town prohibits it. I was intrigued by the design for a coop on wheels, some of many examples here intended to let the birds "harvest" bugs & weeds (no, not THAT kind) while also fertilizing the lawn a section at a time.

9

I just used the speel cheak and the post went.

Yes.

We are out of town, and have a 10 acre small holding.

There is a bye-law pending to allow 4 hens no roosters in town, on large? lots.

Edited by: arbon

10

mockchoc, make and bottle the caponata-- it improves with age. You need not dip into it until the kid's honeymoon is well over. Maybe serve them some when they visit at Christmas. Good luck with the pre-wedding project.

11

Thanks Weaver I'll give it a try.