Sept Pantry & Garden Challenge

[Serendip]

25 lbs of chickpeas @Weisass  Wow..that is impressive!

And glad to read the updates.

 @Metalcat --introducing people to the wonder of homemade hummus is a marvellous thing :)

Our fridge is working again (!) and I am home alone for 4-5 days so will take the opportunity to use up the things that my partner is not fond of.

Might finish off that kale stem sauce (I scooped it up with tortilla chips yesterday and approve of that usage as well). I have quite a bit of blanched kale to use, some apples that a friend dropped off, two lemons, a bag of shishitos, spaghetti squash, dill, etc, etc. Basically I can eat my weight in produce over the weekend. Also have heaps of cherry & yellow tomatoes to use.

Having to empty the fridge so quickly was alarming but great (we don't keep tonnes of things in there but had some old pickles and sauces that were easily composted). So now I can be even more selective in what goes back into it.

[Serendip]

Been eating huge blanched kale salads for lunches with feta & chickpeas & heaps of basil, nectarines, etc

Staying on top of produce is a funny 'challenge' at this time of year--everything is either fruiting like crazy or dying off.

Yesterday I made a skillet lasagna since there were some lasagna noodles and a 1/2 jar of tomato sauce that needed to be used. The recipe called fake-meat or lentils--so I used lentils and it was actually really tasty (added all sorts of other veg & home-grown tomatoes as well).

haven't bought much besides cream for coffee and ...nectarines (can't grow those here!)

[Metalcat]

25 lbs of chickpeas @Weisass  Wow..that is impressive!

And glad to read the updates.

 [member=39652]Metalcat[/member] --introducing people to the wonder of homemade hummus is a marvellous thing :)

Our fridge is working again (!) and I am home alone for 4-5 days so will take the opportunity to use up the things that my partner is not fond of.

Might finish off that kale stem sauce (I scooped it up with tortilla chips yesterday and approve of that usage as well). I have quite a bit of blanched kale to use, some apples that a friend dropped off, two lemons, a bag of shishitos, spaghetti squash, dill, etc, etc. Basically I can eat my weight in produce over the weekend. Also have heaps of cherry & yellow tomatoes to use.

Having to empty the fridge so quickly was alarming but great (we don't keep tonnes of things in there but had some old pickles and sauces that were easily composted). So now I can be even more selective in what goes back into it.

Indeed it was, the hummus was a huge hit, and this is a region where the palates are very limited. Half of the guests brought dips and they were all essentially the same, all some layered cream cheese and meat covered with shredded orange cheddar.

So I was actually surprised that the hummus was such a hit.

[Serendip]

So I was actually surprised that the hummus was such a hit.

Success @Metalcat ! Surely we can't know what we like (or dislike) if we haven't been exposed to it--so you're bringing in a bit of newness every time you venture out in your little community :)  I'll make some kale & parmesan chickpea dip today (since I have so much kale, I am putting it in everything).

Also have used up the end of a bag of frozen cherries, a frozen veggie burger & bun and some starting-to-be freezer burnt bananas.

Am trying to toss a bit of moringa & maca powders into my smoothies (I don't ascribe to the exotic superfood thing anymore but I do have some of these products from earlier so am trying to use them up).

Roasted a spaghetti squash which is good with pesto & parm and have been making cups of rooty tea (which was prescribed by a dr. of chinese medicine a long while ago and which I bought but never drank). It's actually pretty tasty so will try to have that in the afternoon instead of bubbly water or more coffee.

[Metalcat]

So I was actually surprised that the hummus was such a hit.

Success @Metalcat ! Surely we can't know what we like (or dislike) if we haven't been exposed to it--so you're bringing in a bit of newness every time you venture out in your little community :)  I'll make some kale & parmesan chickpea dip today (since I have so much kale, I am putting it in everything).

Also have used up the end of a bag of frozen cherries, a frozen veggie burger & bun and some starting-to-be freezer burnt bananas.

Am trying to toss a bit of moringa & maca powders into my smoothies (I don't ascribe to the exotic superfood thing anymore but I do have some of these products from earlier so am trying to use them up).

Roasted a spaghetti squash which is good with pesto & parm and have been making cups of rooty tea (which was prescribed by a dr. of chinese medicine a long while ago and which I bought but never drank). It's actually pretty tasty so will try to have that in the afternoon instead of bubbly water or more coffee.

Ugh, I miss kale. I saw it once here this summer.

I am looking forward to massively expanding my cooking repertoire when I get back to the city in a few weeks.

This week I'm continuing my mission to get through my pantry staples by making black bean stew and southwest lentils and brown rice.

[Anette]

Well we have been doing much better: We are remembering to harvest from the different salads in the garden.
DD came home from boarding school on Friday and was very hungry. I suggest mango chicken & rice from the freezer and she actually went for it.
We have used up sausages and steak and bread from the freezer and I only bought fresh produce and milk products.

[oneday]

Used up:
the end of a bag of rice
3/4 bag of white beans
full packet of Indian food
the final bit of a box of pasta

full jar of sauce

[sonofsven]

So I was actually surprised that the hummus was such a hit.

Success @Metalcat ! Surely we can't know what we like (or dislike) if we haven't been exposed to it--so you're bringing in a bit of newness every time you venture out in your little community :)  I'll make some kale & parmesan chickpea dip today (since I have so much kale, I am putting it in everything).

Also have used up the end of a bag of frozen cherries, a frozen veggie burger & bun and some starting-to-be freezer burnt bananas.

Am trying to toss a bit of moringa & maca powders into my smoothies (I don't ascribe to the exotic superfood thing anymore but I do have some of these products from earlier so am trying to use them up).

Roasted a spaghetti squash which is good with pesto & parm and have been making cups of rooty tea (which was prescribed by a dr. of chinese medicine a long while ago and which I bought but never drank). It's actually pretty tasty so will try to have that in the afternoon instead of bubbly water or more coffee.

Ugh, I miss kale. I saw it once here this summer.

I am looking forward to massively expanding my cooking repertoire when I get back to the city in a few weeks.

This week I'm continuing my mission to get through my pantry staples by making black bean stew and southwest lentils and brown rice.

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

[Metalcat]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

[sonofsven]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

[Metalcat]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

[sonofsven]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

[Metalcat]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

That just confirms what I said. This is a direct quote from that:

"Give your veggies a head start. Many crops are best started indoors or under cover. You can use artificial lighting if needed or simply a south facing window will do. Using seed-specific maturity dates (usually on the seed package) calculate from the last frost date to determine when to start your seeds and when to transplant them outdoors. "

[sonofsven]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

That just confirms what I said. This is a direct quote from that:

"Give your veggies a head start. Many crops are best started indoors or under cover. You can use artificial lighting if needed or simply a south facing window will do. Using seed-specific maturity dates (usually on the seed package) calculate from the last frost date to determine when to start your seeds and when to transplant them outdoors. "

Did you read the part about kale being one of the wise choices? And starting a plant in a south facing window is much different than "must have a greenhouse ". Kale is very hardy.
I don't care if you garden or not, as you said you despise it, lol.
But you might surprise yourself if you gave it a try.
And since you are missing kale it's a pretty simple way to have it. I love stepping outside every morning and cutting a few kale leaves for my breakfast.

Truth be told I'm not much of a garderner, either. So the old axim applies, if an idiot like me can do it, etc etc.

[Metalcat]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

That just confirms what I said. This is a direct quote from that:

"Give your veggies a head start. Many crops are best started indoors or under cover. You can use artificial lighting if needed or simply a south facing window will do. Using seed-specific maturity dates (usually on the seed package) calculate from the last frost date to determine when to start your seeds and when to transplant them outdoors. "

Did you read the part about kale being one of the wise choices? And starting a plant in a south facing window is much different than "must have a greenhouse ". Kale is very hardy.
I don't care if you garden or not, as you said you despise it, lol.
But you might surprise yourself if you gave it a try.
And since you are missing kale it's a pretty simple way to have it. I love stepping outside every morning and cutting a few kale leaves for my breakfast.

Truth be told I'm not much of a garderner, either. So the old axim applies, if an idiot like me can do it, etc etc.

???How am I supposed to have a south facing window for growing crops of kale without a greenhouse??? I don't have some random big, south facing window area in my house where I can plant crops in the spring.

And yes, I read the part about kale being a good choice *if you have an indoor spot with south facing windows* to start it.

I'm not being difficult, I've spoken extensively with my many, many gardening neighbours about this to see if it's a reasonable option and it's just not simple here. I'm not being ignorant or obtuse, I've actually researched this and building a greenhouse, starting plants early, building raised boxes and then transplanting plants mid-summer, and making sure to cover them if a flash freeze or snow storm happens mid summer, just doesn't sound worth it to me for a bit of kale.

Yeah, I miss kale, but not *that* much.

[sonofsven]

Can you grow it in a small container garden? I've been eating kale out of my garden for months now. I plant it from starts, not seed.
Right now I'm trying to finish it all before it goes to seed, so in addition to having it for my "normal" breakfast I'm having it for dinner, too.
Also I've been eating lots of spaghetti squash from the garden, it's fabulous.
My freezer is stuffed with local caught albacore tuna so I've been eating a lot of that, too. I didn't catch the tuna but I bought into a local fish CSA type thing, a benefit of coastal living.
Normally it would be stuffed with salmon, too, that I catch, but I had a down year, poor me ;-(

Well, I am not a gardener, I despise gardening. But also, the weather here is batshit insane and summer is extremely short and unpredictable, so growing here isn't the easiest thing.

Hence why access to fresh vegetables here is unpredictable.

You can grow root vegetables here, but those are also easy and cheap to find at the store, so why would I bother growing them?

Kale loves cool, wet weather. You can definitely grow it in Newfoundland.

Um...it's not cool and wet here. It swings wildly between freezing rain and 40C/109F in July. It's more like mother nature is in menopause out here.

Every site I've looked at for gardening in Newfoundland says you need a greenhouse. Every single neighbour here who gardens, which is about half of them, only grows root vegetables outside and everything else in a greenhouse.

That just confirms what I said. This is a direct quote from that:

"Give your veggies a head start. Many crops are best started indoors or under cover. You can use artificial lighting if needed or simply a south facing window will do. Using seed-specific maturity dates (usually on the seed package) calculate from the last frost date to determine when to start your seeds and when to transplant them outdoors. "

Did you read the part about kale being one of the wise choices? And starting a plant in a south facing window is much different than "must have a greenhouse ". Kale is very hardy.
I don't care if you garden or not, as you said you despise it, lol.
But you might surprise yourself if you gave it a try.
And since you are missing kale it's a pretty simple way to have it. I love stepping outside every morning and cutting a few kale leaves for my breakfast.

Truth be told I'm not much of a garderner, either. So the old axim applies, if an idiot like me can do it, etc etc.

???How am I supposed to have a south facing window for growing crops of kale without a greenhouse??? I don't have some random big, south facing window area in my house where I can plant crops in the spring.

And yes, I read the part about kale being a good choice *if you have an indoor spot with south facing windows* to start it.

I'm not being difficult, I've spoken extensively with my many, many gardening neighbours about this to see if it's a reasonable option and it's just not simple here. I'm not being ignorant or obtuse, I've actually researched this and building a greenhouse, starting plants early, building raised boxes and then transplanting plants mid-summer, and making sure to cover them if a flash freeze or snow storm happens mid summer, just doesn't sound worth it to me for a bit of kale.

Yeah, I miss kale, but not *that* much.

Haha, well you're being a little difficult by only reading what you want to hear from that pdf! But if you don't want to garden, don't do it. But claiming you need a greenhouse to grow kale in Newfoundland is just not true. If you don't believe me, read the link from the company that selks greenhouses in Newfoundland https://plantagreenhouses.com/blogs/planting-zones/newfoundland-and-labrador#:~:text=Characteristics%20of%20Newfoundland%20and%20Labrador%20Planting%20Region,-The%20climate%20of&text=Northern%20Labrador%20is%20considered%20a,is%20classified%20as%20humid%20continental.

Again, the south facing window is for starting plants from seed. A simple raised bed with a wind screen or a cold frame would likely be sufficient for a kale start. (A start is a young plant that you buy from a nursery that grew it from seed).

I would go to a nursery or garden center next year and talk with them if you are at all interested.  It's kinda fun, even though I'm not that good at it. To me at least, having fresh veggies to harvest is definitely worth it, so I muddle through.

[Metalcat]

Haha, well you're being a little difficult by only reading what you want to hear from that pdf! But if you don't want to garden, don't do it. But claiming you need a greenhouse to grow kale in Newfoundland is just not true. If you don't believe me, read the link from the company that selks greenhouses in Newfoundland https://plantagreenhouses.com/blogs/planting-zones/newfoundland-and-labrador#:~:text=Characteristics%20of%20Newfoundland%20and%20Labrador%20Planting%20Region,-The%20climate%20of&text=Northern%20Labrador%20is%20considered%20a,is%20classified%20as%20humid%20continental.

Again, the south facing window is for starting plants from seed. A simple raised bed with a wind screen or a cold frame would likely be sufficient for a kale start. (A start is a young plant that you buy from a nursery that grew it from seed).

I would go to a nursery or garden center next year and talk with them if you are at all interested.  It's kinda fun, even though I'm not that good at it. To me at least, having fresh veggies to harvest is definitely worth it, so I muddle through.

I'm really not at all interested, nor do I feel like getting into why every single gardener I've spoken to *in this specific location, with very specific weather patterns* has said that kale is not realistic to grow outside.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the wind here, because that's what's distinctive about this location compared to the rest of Newfoundland and you mentioned "wind screen" so I'm guessing that's actually the factor behind why no one here grows kale outside, just root vegetables.

ETA: just so you know though, I am going to start asking more questions about kale because you've convinced me I just might have bad information or perhaps am not understanding things correctly...even though I hate gardening and likely won't do it even if it is a feasible option.

I just like to know things.

[Kmp2]

I'm going to bring the conversation back to chickpeas, because chickpeas are awesome. We also buy 25lb bags...I love to cook up a 1lb on the weekend, make half into hummus and the other half makes a quick dinner base for the week.

We received a crate of apples from our neighbour's apple tree so far we've:
1) dried apples
2) Apple fruit roll ups (dried applesauce)
3) Lots of Apple Pudding from our Newfy cookbook - yummy! (pudding cake in the British sense)
4) Apple crisp
5) Apple muffins and scones
6) Roasted carrot apple soup, with apple raisin soda bread
7) (and yes chickpeas) - an apple chana masala that was AMAZING - sadly I can't find an online version.

Success, we're almost through the apples!

We've also managed to empty one of our chest freezers in preparation for a hog I bought from a friend raising bacon seeds on her farm last spring... First time we've bought a whole animal, no idea how much that will be or what to expect. But the chest freezer awaits!

And if anyone has green split pea recipes that aren't soup... we bought a 25lb bag of those (oh, maybe 2020...) and I'd Definity like to clear them out! Ha!

[Metalcat]

You can mash them into mashed potatoes

[Serendip]

And if anyone has green split pea recipes that aren't soup... we bought a 25lb bag of those (oh, maybe 2020...) and I'd Definity like to clear them out! Ha!

what about mushy peas? I know lots of people love them .. I would probably try them on toast with cheese :)
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/traditional-british-mushy-peas-recipe-2107296

[Serendip]

We had a bear eat an entire head of kale down to the stalk and attempt to eat some tomatoes--but left them on the ground half-chewed. 

It's very unlikely that it was a deer since there were 5 piles of bear scat around the garden. They are hungry, it was a s*t berry year and so they are eating things they normally wouldn't -- it's time for us to clean it all out. Plus the temps are dropping so we will likely gather the tomatoes too and try to ripen them inside.

We picked a big harvest of basil today and frozen it blended with olive oil.

We picked our mini, tiny, super-cute-but-not-substantial-at-all-eggplants and my SO is currently making a curry with them (plus some basil, green beans, yellow zucchini & tofu).

[sonofsven]

Haha, well you're being a little difficult by only reading what you want to hear from that pdf! But if you don't want to garden, don't do it. But claiming you need a greenhouse to grow kale in Newfoundland is just not true. If you don't believe me, read the link from the company that selks greenhouses in Newfoundland https://plantagreenhouses.com/blogs/planting-zones/newfoundland-and-labrador#:~:text=Characteristics%20of%20Newfoundland%20and%20Labrador%20Planting%20Region,-The%20climate%20of&text=Northern%20Labrador%20is%20considered%20a,is%20classified%20as%20humid%20continental.

Again, the south facing window is for starting plants from seed. A simple raised bed with a wind screen or a cold frame would likely be sufficient for a kale start. (A start is a young plant that you buy from a nursery that grew it from seed).

I would go to a nursery or garden center next year and talk with them if you are at all interested.  It's kinda fun, even though I'm not that good at it. To me at least, having fresh veggies to harvest is definitely worth it, so I muddle through.

I'm really not at all interested, nor do I feel like getting into why every single gardener I've spoken to *in this specific location, with very specific weather patterns* has said that kale is not realistic to grow outside.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the wind here, because that's what's distinctive about this location compared to the rest of Newfoundland and you mentioned "wind screen" so I'm guessing that's actually the factor behind why no one here grows kale outside, just root vegetables.

ETA: just so you know though, I am going to start asking more questions about kale because you've convinced me I just might have bad information or perhaps am not understanding things correctly...even though I hate gardening and likely won't do it even if it is a feasible option.

I just like to know things.

I don't know why I'm trying so hard to convince you to garden, which you already said you despise!
I guess I feel really strongly about eating kale, IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!

[Metalcat]

I don't know why I'm trying so hard to convince you to garden, which you already said you despise!
I guess I feel really strongly about eating kale, IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!

Lol!

Well, you will be reassured that I live half the year in a city where it's very easy to access kale.

My DH is convinced that he's going to start gardening here eventually. I think it's lies, pure lies, but I'll get him to look into growing kale...in the greenhouse he wants.

I spoke to my most successful gardener neighbour this morning (I see him every morning and talk about his garden and chickens) and he confirmed that the problem is the wind. His gardens are so successful because he has 3 large buildings blocking the wind from the ocean in front and a small mountain behind, but even then, he doesn't grow kale because the wind beats the shit out of the leaves and breaks the stems.

A "wind screen" isn't an option. You can't even have a wooden fence out here, they just get destroyed. If you've ever heard the term "Wreckhouse winds," well, our winds are very similar to Wreckhouse region. It's still growing season and we had strong gale winds yesterday.

But if DH really wants to start gardening (lies, pure lies), then I'll have kale the other half of the year from our (never gonna happen) green house.

[Kmp2]

And if anyone has green split pea recipes that aren't soup... we bought a 25lb bag of those (oh, maybe 2020...) and I'd Definity like to clear them out! Ha!

what about mushy peas? I know lots of people love them .. I would probably try them on toast with cheese :)
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/traditional-british-mushy-peas-recipe-2107296

Oh, that might work, especially if served with fish and chips!

You can mash them into mashed potatoes

Excellent - I'll add some to my shepherd's pie topping!

Thanks!

[Metalcat]

And if anyone has green split pea recipes that aren't soup... we bought a 25lb bag of those (oh, maybe 2020...) and I'd Definity like to clear them out! Ha!

what about mushy peas? I know lots of people love them .. I would probably try them on toast with cheese :)
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/traditional-british-mushy-peas-recipe-2107296

Oh, that might work, especially if served with fish and chips!

You can mash them into mashed potatoes

Excellent - I'll add some to my shepherd's pie topping!

Thanks!

You can blend them into anything mushy, like hummus or other dips

[Serendip]

We had a tasty curry leftovers yesterday that incorporated 10 different veggies/herbs that we grew. Also used the brown rice we had instead of going to buy basmati.

Tonight will be a pasta with huge amounts of cherry tomatoes and basil because we are (happily) swimming in them.

[Metalcat]

I FINALLY made the crab today.

Holy shit crab is A LOT of work. The meat doesn't slide out like lobster, I had to cut open each leg segment and then scrape the meat out.

I actually gave up halfway through and will deal with the rest of the legs tomorrow. What a pain in the ass!

Tasty crab sandwiches though.

[sonofsven]

I FINALLY made the crab today.

Holy shit crab is A LOT of work. The meat doesn't slide out like lobster, I had to cut open each leg segment and then scrape the meat out.

I actually gave up halfway through and will deal with the rest of the legs tomorrow. What a pain in the ass!

Tasty crab sandwiches though.

Yes, it is a lot of work! I grew up eating a lot of Dungeness crab.
My mom and I would set up at the kitchen table with a layer or two of newspaper, a bunch of cooked crab, and a bowl of melted garlic butter. Whatever we couldn't eat went into the fridge for crab melts, crab louie, crab salad, etc.
I love using the leg points as little diggers to clean out the meat.

[Weisass]

I FINALLY made the crab today.

Holy shit crab is A LOT of work. The meat doesn't slide out like lobster, I had to cut open each leg segment and then scrape the meat out.

I actually gave up halfway through and will deal with the rest of the legs tomorrow. What a pain in the ass!

Tasty crab sandwiches though.

Yes, it is a lot of work! I grew up eating a lot of Dungeness crab.
My mom and I would set up at the kitchen table with a layer or two of newspaper, a bunch of cooked crab, and a bowl of melted garlic butter. Whatever we couldn't eat went into the fridge for crab melts, crab louie, crab salad, etc.
I love using the leg points as little diggers to clean out the meat.

mmm I love crab. But yes, it is a lot of work. And if you don't eat it quickly (ie if you leave some in the fridge) it spoils fast.

[Serendip]

I FINALLY made the crab today.

Holy shit crab is A LOT of work. The meat doesn't slide out like lobster, I had to cut open each leg segment and then scrape the meat out.

I actually gave up halfway through and will deal with the rest of the legs tomorrow. What a pain in the ass!

Tasty crab sandwiches though.

Yes, it is a lot of work! I grew up eating a lot of Dungeness crab.
My mom and I would set up at the kitchen table with a layer or two of newspaper, a bunch of cooked crab, and a bowl of melted garlic butter. Whatever we couldn't eat went into the fridge for crab melts, crab louie, crab salad, etc.
I love using the leg points as little diggers to clean out the meat.

!!!

I've never cleaned crab or eaten it so fresh--sounds tedious but how satisfying as well. Enjoy the bounty @Metalcat  :)

[Metalcat]

I got into the groove with the crab today and used better scissors, so I got through the second half much faster and with infinitely less misery and mess.

Now I need to freeze some of this crab, because I have quite a bit.

[Serendip]

Our moth problem is thankfully resolved. We had to go through EVERYTHING and make sure all seals were tight.

Also we bought some little non-toxic moth traps and caught two but seems like we managed to get rid of the food sources (dried fruit in plastic bags..how they managed to get in is still a mystery). So thankful to feel like the pantry is no longer under attack..

Have been drinking some oddball teas and blending smoothies with bits & bobs from the freezer. It's feeling more manageable.

[Metalcat]

Our moth problem is thankfully resolved. We had to go through EVERYTHING and make sure all seals were tight.

Also we bought some little non-toxic moth traps and caught two but seems like we managed to get rid of the food sources (dried fruit in plastic bags..how they managed to get in is still a mystery). So thankful to feel like the pantry is no longer under attack..

Have been drinking some oddball teas and blending smoothies with bits & bobs from the freezer. It's feeling more manageable.

They can pierce bags, but their larva also often arrive in the bags on the food. Food moths are rampant in industrial food facilities and frequently contaminate foods before they're packaged.

I typically freeze dried goods for 3 days before storing them to kill off any eggs. I had a brown rice weevil episode once and picked up this habit.

[tygertygertyger]

I finished one type of fish from the freezer! I've been not feeling well and really not very hungry, so progress is sloooowww.

And lord help me, the tomatoes are piling up again... luckily it's a much smaller pile and shouldn't grow much larger.

[Metalcat]

I finished one type of fish from the freezer! I've been not feeling well and really not very hungry, so progress is sloooowww.

And lord help me, the tomatoes are piling up again... luckily it's a much smaller pile and shouldn't grow much larger.

Ooh. I love to make a basic tomato basil pasta sauce. Literally just stewed tomatoes, a bit of garlic, and fresh basil.

[slackmax]

I had to toss out 4 partly used bags of rice from my pantry due to a 'flour moth' invasion. I call them flour moths, but they were in the rice. I stock up on rice when it's on sale. I had brown, white, organic, inorganic, and some more bags I got from my mom when she moved. I guess boiling the rice would have killed anything bad the moths created, but I didn't like the idea of eating boiled moths and moth eggs, lol. 

 

[Metalcat]

I had to toss out 4 partly used bags of rice from my pantry due to a 'flour moth' invasion. I call them flour moths, but they were in the rice. I stock up on rice when it's on sale. I had brown, white, organic, inorganic, and some more bags I got from my mom when she moved. I guess boiling the rice would have killed anything bad the moths created, but I didn't like the idea of eating boiled moths and moth eggs, lol.

Do you routinely freeze them when you buy them?

I personally prefer to eat eggs I'm not aware of rather than dealing with an active infestation, so I freeze all dry goods that I bring into the house for 3 days and just never have to worry about it.

Except for spices, I've never had bugs from spices.

[Serendip]

I like the idea of the prophylactic freeze @Metalcat 

A bear ripped out an entire kale plant--roots and all. So it seems as if even the kale isn't safe even though it isn't usually a target, I suppose the options are so limited that even bitter greens seem like a good idea.

I cooked quinoa from the pantry to make a a yam/quinoa/black beans veggie burger but since I have leftover grains--will use up a bunch of garden parsley, onions and tomatoes for a salad as well. Am going to try to sauté some nasturtium leaves with onions and garlic since the plants are so abundant. Would be great to find a way to enjoy them. I only eat tiny doses when they are raw but heard they can lose their sharpness once the oil cooks off.

[slackmax]

I had to toss out 4 partly used bags of rice from my pantry due to a 'flour moth' invasion. I call them flour moths, but they were in the rice. I stock up on rice when it's on sale. I had brown, white, organic, inorganic, and some more bags I got from my mom when she moved. I guess boiling the rice would have killed anything bad the moths created, but I didn't like the idea of eating boiled moths and moth eggs, lol.

Do you routinely freeze them when you buy them?

I personally prefer to eat eggs I'm not aware of rather than dealing with an active infestation, so I freeze all dry goods that I bring into the house for 3 days and just never have to worry about it.

Except for spices, I've never had bugs from spices.

Hadn't heard of freezing. Thanks for the idea. I do put flour in the fridge once I open it. 

Going through the cabinet above the original moth find. Found a moth in a bag of sugar.  I couldn't make myself throw out the sugar, so I filtered it through some mesh, and put it in a glass jar, and back in the cabinet. Go ahead, moth, try to get in here!   

My girl friend is trying to help me with doing the whole cabinet, as in taking everything out, inspecting for bugs, also throwing out old stuff, even if no bugs, and wiping down shelves. It's going to be more difficult for me if I let her help me, since I'm just that way, but I know she is very good at this stuff, so I will either let her help me, or I will just let her do the whole thing.

Seriously, is I wonder if it's bad to consume moths? Or their eggs?  I suppose the eggs could hatch inside you and do who knows what, feed on you? One would hope the eggs and hatchlings would not survive the environment. But apparently we are all eating  small amounts of insect eggs, etc, in our cereal without harm, lol.           

[Metalcat]

I had to toss out 4 partly used bags of rice from my pantry due to a 'flour moth' invasion. I call them flour moths, but they were in the rice. I stock up on rice when it's on sale. I had brown, white, organic, inorganic, and some more bags I got from my mom when she moved. I guess boiling the rice would have killed anything bad the moths created, but I didn't like the idea of eating boiled moths and moth eggs, lol.

Do you routinely freeze them when you buy them?

I personally prefer to eat eggs I'm not aware of rather than dealing with an active infestation, so I freeze all dry goods that I bring into the house for 3 days and just never have to worry about it.

Except for spices, I've never had bugs from spices.

Hadn't heard of freezing. Thanks for the idea. I do put flour in the fridge once I open it. 

Going through the cabinet above the original moth find. Found a moth in a bag of sugar.  I couldn't make myself throw out the sugar, so I filtered it through some mesh, and put it in a glass jar, and back in the cabinet. Go ahead, moth, try to get in here!   

My girl friend is trying to help me with doing the whole cabinet, as in taking everything out, inspecting for bugs, also throwing out old stuff, even if no bugs, and wiping down shelves. It's going to be more difficult for me if I let her help me, since I'm just that way, but I know she is very good at this stuff, so I will either let her help me, or I will just let her do the whole thing.

Seriously, is I wonder if it's bad to consume moths? Or their eggs?  I suppose the eggs could hatch inside you and do who knows what, feed on you? One would hope the eggs and hatchlings would not survive the environment. But apparently we are all eating  small amounts of insect eggs, etc, in our cereal without harm, lol.         

I'm entirely certain that a moth can't survive stomach acid. You can absolutely digest insects, it's common to eat them in many cultures.

Digestive system parasites are a different matter, their eggs have a coating that is designed to withstand stomach acid. They've specifically evolved to live inside animals, so that's totally different from normal insects.

The food supply is filled with eggs and bug bits. It's not harmful to ingest moth or weevil eggs. Just sort through your stuff and then prophylactically freeze everything for a week and it will be fine.

[slackmax]

<<  I'm entirely certain that a moth can't survive stomach acid. You can absolutely digest insects, it's common to eat them in many cultures.

Digestive system parasites are a different matter, their eggs have a coating that is designed to withstand stomach acid. They've specifically evolved to live inside animals, so that's totally different from normal insects.

The food supply is filled with eggs and bug bits. It's not harmful to ingest moth or weevil eggs. Just sort through your stuff and then prophylactically freeze everything for a week and it will be fine.  >> 

Thanks.

[oneday]

Used up:
the end of a bag of rice
3/4 bag of white beans
full packet of Indian food
the final bit of a box of pasta
full jar of sauce

last bit of Stevia sweetener
last bit of brown sugar
lat bit of baking chocolate


Hmm, not too much, actually. However, I'm feeling better about the age of the oldest things. Next month I hope to clear out about 2 recipes worth (probably chili and the garlic chicken frozen dinner).

[Metalcat]

We're down to our past few days here and I really don't think I'll be cooking much. So that's it for eating down our supplies except for maybe some canned goods we might go through over the next ee days.

I have some smoked salmon in the freezer along with some frozen cabbage rolls, but otherwise, that's it. Nothing left that I can really use up.

[Josiecat22222]

DS ate a box of macaroni and cheese bought during the pandemic.  We don't really eat processed/ready to eat food, but during the pandemic we bought a bunch of emergency supplies in case we couldn't get to store.  These items have been languishing in the pantry.  He recently ate his first can of spaghetti Os and declared them gross, but loves Ramen.  Ugh.

Made Split pea soup last week which made a dent in the split pea supply and plan to make a pasta dish tonight which will incorporate some red lentils.

I think my tomato plants are officially dead now, so I will compost them and resign myself to grocery store tomatoes until next year.

[tygertygertyger]

I had started cooking in earnest last week to use things up. My partner's mom went on a trip and dropped off a load of veg she hadn't gotten to. This is not a problem, as I love fresh vegetables. Started cooking that stuff up too.

The freezers are about as full as usual, though we have used up some items... we bought others (on sale, naturally). Guess we're at equilibrium as October starts. 

[Serendip]

@Josiecat --I think I had spaghetti-o's at a friends house as a child and thought they were pretty gross (although I did like to eat spaghetti with ketchup and cheap parmesan so my taste was quite questionable) :)

We had our first frost yesterday so garden has mostly been disassembled. We have lots of green tomatoes to ripen indoors and brought a few chili plants inside to put under grow lights for the next few weeks to see if we can hurry the ripening on those.

I've been diligent about adding some of my weirder ingredients to smoothies which is often the best way for me to use up powders and spices. Even things like flaxseed and hemp are neglected until I do challenges like this so thanks for joining in everybody!

[sonofsven]

Visited DD at college and also saw an old friend who lives in the same town, and went with them to clean up their community garden space.
Came home loaded with vegetables, all for an hours work, and lots of catching up.

In my home garden, it's do or die time for the brussel sprouts, they aren't quite ready.

My kale is now covered in aphids so I am having to really clean them off of the "extra protein". My partner discovered this, I'd just been eating it 😁

[LifeHappens]

My kale is now covered in aphids so I am having to really clean them off of the "extra protein". My partner discovered this, I'd just been eating it 😁

Soaking in salted water takes pretty good care of the "extra protein" :)

[Josiecat22222]

@Serendip- I do the same thing! My favorite breakfast is Greek yogurt with walnuts, flax seed, chia and hemp seeds--1T each and whatever fruit is in season!

Pasta and lentils tonight- wasn't feeling it yesterday, so just had a baked potato

[Anette]

Finally moved some more things out of the freezer.

Yesterday we had some steaks on the bbq, and our daughter enjoyed schnitzel topped with a mixture of parmesan, walnuts and herbs
Today I made apple butter from apple pieces I had frozen last year (from our trees) and forgotten. We will enjoy the apple butter as part of our youngest daughters birthday dinner this Friday
For lunch I ate spaghetti squash with meat balls and DH had some Lebanese lentil soup

We are still getting a nice amount of tomatoes, lettuce and rocket from the garden.