Using Herbs

We had the best corn chip dip ever in this little hole in the wall restaurant. It was years ago but I still remember how everyone at the table raved about it!

Ever since I could never find an equal to the taste of that green salsa dip. Until now, that is.

This year tomatillos were a success in the garden, so it was really satisfying to have my own fruit to make a batch of green salsa for the first time.

The year before last wasn’t a success as only one plant came to maturity in the garden. Without a second plant to cross-fertilize its flowers the fruit was barely bigger than a pea.

The Salsa Verde recipe came from a local fruit and vegetable market where they offered tomatillos for the first time. The story goes that a new Latino employee introduced them to growing the small tomato relative. As a way to get people interested in trying the newest fruit at the market they shared the following recipe.

Read more

If you missed planting lettuce last month, you still have time to toss out some seeds for a great crop of Winter Lettuce.

In our temperate zone in Pennsylvania there are some months when we can’t get fresh garden veggies, so any time that we can extend the growing season is worth the effort.

Have you seen what lettuce in the grocery stores looks like during winter? It’s not usually something that I want to spend my money on. We only see small heads that are quite expensive given their size and their quality.

We really enjoy having fresh salads with ingredients pulled or cut right from the garden out front. It just makes sense for us to grow our own and we encourage any salad-lover to do the same.

Here’s all you have to do to grow your own Winter Lettuce:

1. Turn over or dig up a small patch of garden for your lettuce patch.
2. Smooth out the surface with a rake or even your hands if it’s a small patch.
3. Toss small handfuls of mixed lettuce seed over the prepared area.
4. Step on the prepared area lightly to “plant” the seed.
5. Water the lettuce patch lightly.
6. Watch the weather forecast for freeze warnings.
7. Use a sheet or old curtain to cover the lettuce patch entirely before freezing weather is predicted.
8. Weigh down the corners of the cloth with hand-sized rocks, pieces of wood, or other heavier objects so the cover doesn’t blow away in the wind.
9. Watch the cover over the coming weeks and re-cover the lettuce if it’s been disturbed.

That’s it! If the beginning of winter is mild, you might even be able to enjoy some baby cut lettuce before the year is out!