pickles & new plants

white cucumbers

When the plants labeled lemon cucumbers instead began shucking out these, I decided it was time for a new experiment.

homemade pickles

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.

Uva sin semillas ‘Concord’

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.

Panicum ‘Shenandoah’

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.

6 thoughts on “pickles & new plants

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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)

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