In the garden today, July 30, 2009

The sunflower is huge. As the seeds develop it gets more bulbous.


It is getting very top heavy. This is a photo taken from directly underneath.


The bee block is a big hit this year too. The most desirable holes are almost completely filled. I think I need to make another block this week.


Pomegranates are looking good this year.


Pimientos de Padrón peppers are growing pretty well. I got the pepper plants in the ground late so they are just starting to produce. Emily is waiting for me to bring her a big bag of these beauties. This one is ready to be picked. Happy Quail Farms has more info about this pepper and it's origin.

Happy Quails

I'll probably only have another month to harvet tomatoes. Anna Russian and Orange Strawberry are not really producing any new tomatoes. The Brandywines are still doing OK. I picked about 20 tomatoes yesterday.


This is what it looks like when I'm processing them.


I hate having seeds in my tomato sauce, so I try to get them all out before cooking them. I tried a food mill, but I didn't like the results.


Earlier this week I had lunch at Evvia in Palo Alto. It's a Greek restaurant that has Saghanaki. Saghanaki is pan fried Kefalograviera cheese & padron peppers with oregano & lemon. Emily liked the peppers so much that I thought I would try to grow some next year. I found out the resturant's source for Pimientos de Padrón and went to the farmers market this weekend to buy some. The actual Pimientos de Padróns are smaller than the ones I bought, but I figured the seeds would not be developed enough to save. These are the same peppers just more mature. I hope I can save some of the seeds to grow a few plants next summer. Of course, I will share with Emily. You can find the recipe for the peppers on the Happy Quail Farms site.