September Veggies and Recipes

September Dogwood

Change is in the Air

The golden light of a September day is a delight to all, especially gardeners. As we approach the equinox, we see both the culmination of our summer harvest and the approaching winter. There is plenty to appreciate, plenty to harvest, plenty to preserve. It’s an ideal time to freeze, can, and dry the bounty from farm and garden. Tomatoes can be dried, cut in half and frozen, or made into tomato sauce and frozen. I’ll be posting this month about my first adventures in tomato canning. A little effort now will perk up meals during darker days.

Promise of More Butternut

Besides tomatoes, peppers are good candidates for preserving. Cut them in half, remove core and seeds, and freeze them, or oven roast them before freezing. Basil plants don’t overwinter, so dry or freeze some now. It’s the end of raspberry season, and it’s been an exceptional one around Santa Cruz. Low sugar raspberry jam is useful in winter for bar cookies, cake fillings, and glazes as well as on toast, and raspberry flats can be picked up inexpensively at the Farmers’ Markets now. Strawberries and raspberries are simple to freeze, or can be preserved in light honey sauce.

Enjoy the last of summer as we work towards harvesting cooler weather fruits and vegetables. It’s the best of both seasons now. If you’re feeling lucky, experiment with some inter-seasonal combinations. Perhaps strawberry applesauce (make strawberry puree and add to homemade applesauce) or apple-plum crisp? Happy change-of-season!

Friend Joy is Gone, but her Roses Bloom on

September Fruits & Veggies

Asian Greens

Basil

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Corn

Cucumber

Eggplant

Green Beans

Italian Herbs

Kale

Leeks

It's Still Tomato Season

Lettuce

Mint

Peppers, Hot

Peppers, Sweet

Pinto Beans (fresh)

Potatoes

Radishes

Spinach

Summer Squash

Tomatoes

Winter Squash

Apples

Blackberries

Blueberries

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Raspberries

Strawberries

New and Favorite September Recipes

Sheila’s Gazpacho

Classic Gazpacho

Harvest Vegetable Chowder

Southwestern Three Sisters Stew

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps courtesy Smitten Kitchen

Salsa Fresca

Baba Ganoush (Roasted Eggplant Dip)

Parsley-Basil Pesto

Roasted Tomatoes, courtesy the Barefoot Contessa

Tomatoes with Balsamic & Basil

Summer Squash in Fresh Tomato Sauce

Quick Turkey Hungarian Goulash

Chicken with Peppers, Zucchini, and Tomatoes

Chicken Cacciatore (can substitute fresh tomatoes)

Chicken Marengo (can substitute fresh tomatoes)

Parmesan Crusted Sole with Salsa Fresca

Squash Delight Casserole

Buckwheat Stuffed Zucchini

Baked Tomato Sauce (freeze for winter)

Oven Roasted Peppers (freeze for winter)

Fresh Pinto Beans

Open Faced Tomato Sandwiches

Rustic Applesauce

Zucchini Bread

Award Winning Apple Pie

Apple Crisp

Inside-Out Pumpkin Muffins courtesy King Arthur Flour

Plum Upside Down Cake

Plum Cobbler

Home Canned Spicy Salsa with Lime

Home Canned Tomato Sauce

Strawberry Daquiri

Low Sugar Raspberry Jam

Frozen/preserved Strawberries (or other berries)

Berries in Light Honey Sauce

Dried Tomatoes

DIY Stewed Tomatoes (freeze for winter)

DIY Prunes from Plums

Preserved Basil

There's a Naked Lady (Lily) in my Yard!