Most years we usually have a bumper crop of fresh green beans, okra, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and basil. By this time of the summer people usually run the other way when they see us because they know that we will be trying to unload yet another mess of squash onto them. (Any gardener knows that one squash plant can feed an entire community.) Barbara Kingsolver and Garrison Keillor both tell the story of growing up in small towns where the only time the townspeople locked their homes and vehicles was during squash season. They weren't worried about anyone stealing something, they were just afraid they would be the recipients of MORE SQUASH. This year has been the exception to that rule!!
Here are pictures of our house and garden in wetter, cooler years!
The garden has raised beds with gravel walkways. This picture was taken in the very early spring two years ago.
At either end of the garden we've planted grapes.
The only problem is......the horses and cows like grapes too!!
Here's our mare "Darlin'" enjoying a sweet snack of grapes. My husband, Victor thinks that this is funny!!! Me.......not so much! But I do love Darlin'!!
One of the benefits of having a garden is having lots of fresh tomatoes and basil to make marinara sauce. Here's what a normal year's harvest usually looks like:
My family likes marinara sauce in lasagna, on spaghetti or in chicken parmigiana.
This is our favorite recipe.
In a large, heavy, non-reactive skillet combine:
1/3 cup olive (approximate measurement)
2 cloves chopped garlic (amount can be adjusted to taste)
Pinch of red pepper flakes ( also can be adjusted to taste)
Cook at medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add:
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Pinch of Kosher salt
Large batch of fresh basil, washed and chopped
6 cups of fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped (can substitute 2 large cans of tomatoes)
2 Tablespoon butter
1 cup of red wine (optional)
Cook at medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by 1/2. Although the addition of wine is optional, I prefer to add it as it gives the sauce great depth and body.
It's as easy as that! A loaf of warm, crusty bread and a crisp salad and you have dinner!
Here's to the hope that next summer will be wetter and more temperate and we'll have a garden that looks like this again!
That's life and style at Rose Hill Ranch!
