When the plants labeled lemon cucumbers instead began shucking out these, I decided it was time for a new experiment.
I had never made pickles before. It was incredibly easy. With this much raw material at hand, I will be trying out several variations and will let you know if there is a clear standout.
One tip was to put a grape leaf in the jar with the pickles to assure crispness. When I stopped by to see Michelle of Jockey Hill Nursery at the Scappoose Farmers’ Market, sure enough, she had grape vines. This one is a seedless Concord, good for jellies and pies, but it was the leaves I was after.
If you find yourself headed for the coast on Hwy 30 on a Saturday morning, you would be well advised to stop by this market. Michelle has healthy, well-groomed plants and there are always at least 5 that I can hardly resist. This Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ had to come home with me. Cooking and planting: what a way to spend a beautiful weekend.
Want to see what others are cooking up from their gardens’ bounty? Visit Wendy and she will put you on the right path.
SCORE! I think of all the grasses I grow, ‘Shenandoah’ might be number one. I love this soft, wispy grass with hints of red and purple. … I’ve never made pickles either. Yours look divine. Interesting about the grape leaf.
Grace~Turns out the grass I admired at Kym’s was Cheyenne Sky, but I think I would be hard-pressed to tell the difference.
I feel slightly ashamed I’ve never tried to make pickles, after all, I love them. I’m much better at planting attractive grasses and that’s a great one!
I like Shenandoah! Another great one to add to your beautiful collection of grasses. The lemon pickles look great – so different. Interesting tip about the grape leaf – let us know how the experiments go!
Jane~Just too embarrassed to let all of those cukes go to waste.
Wendy~,I will. First batch had no grape leaves, second did. Latest batch was refrigerator bread & butter pickles.
I’m a Shenandoah Admirer as well. Those pickles look great ! I’ve not tried cuke pickles . I did some with beets and turnips and carrots earlier in the year.
You can also use thosr grape leaves to make Dolma ( stuffed grape leaves)
Linda~I’m trying dilled green beans next. Good idea (Dolma) but I’ll have to let the vine get a little bigger before tackling that one.