Squash Pie...Don't laugh, This is Good!

If you're still looking for ways in which to use up all the excess Summer Squash...here's a recipe that will knock your socks off.

This recipe calls for Summer Yellow Squash, but Zucchini will also work just as well.

If you like Custard Pies at all, then this one will greatly surprise you. This pie has a wonderful filling that is much like the texture and taste of custard with a little bit of a twist.

The only way to really explain it...is to bake it. I won't include a pie crust here because there are so many variations and most folks have their own special way of making those anyway. I've never tried this in a Graham Cracker crust, but I think that's next on my list, so without any more ado...here is the filling.


Pie Filling Ingredients:

2 1/12 c. summer squash (with the peelings and seeds)
cut, cook & drain
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Place all ingredients, except nutmeg into blender or your mixer. Blend until thick and frothy. Pour mixture into uncooked pie shell. Sprinkle liberally with the nutmeg. Sprinkle edges of the pie crust also. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool thoroughly and enjoy.Read more!

Monsanto...Devil in Disguise

Monsanto claims to be an agriculture company who contends to help the farmers by offering seeds with the best possible germ plasm for improved genetics for a higher yield. They claim to deliver superior genetics to allow farmers to get more from each seed that they plant. However, a lot of concerned Americans are afraid that their true intentions lies elsewhere. According to Peter Montague in his article "The Bad Seed the Monsanto Corp. of St. Louis has been maneuvering to dominate the worlds supply of seeds for staple crops. "

One point that Mr. Montague points out in his article is that farmers who use these patented seeds must buy new seed from Monsanto every year. A farmer who fails to retain traditional seeds of his own would become solely dependent upon Monsanto for their seed every year.

An investigation by Donald C. Barlett and James B. Steele as released by vanity Fair in May of 2008, tells of Monsanto's threats to anyone who is even suspect of planting their G.M. (genetically modified) seeds.

An article printed by Organic Consumers Association states that Monsanto is putting normal seeds out of reach.


There are also two other companies that are coming into a close second to Monsanto. Dupont and Syngenta is also a forward thinking group that is also aligned to make an impact in seed market domination. I chuckle when I go to the feed store, or a large department store and I see Northrup King seeds as the predominate seed that the common gardener picks up to plant in their garden.

Folks...Northrup King seeds is not the same company that it was back in 1940. Northrup King seeds is a division of the Syngenta company. If you look on the package of most every seed that they put out...it uses the label Hybrid. These seeds are genetically modified to resist bugs, weather and certain chemicals. It seems that they can resist everything but a tornado or flash flood.

If you are not familiar with Hybrid seeds, then it would be in your best interest to research what the term Hybrid means. In most cases it is lower nutrient content and your ability to glean seeds from the plant is futile. They will produce seeds, but in most cases they are dormant.

Monsanto does seem to have more than just controlling the worlds seed supply as their goal; they are also the makers of Roundup. This product has been the best selling herbicide for the last 30 years. Now (to make it easier on the farmer) Monsanto has now even genetically modified their soybeans to be resistant to Roundup. This seems like a match made in heaven.

The Roundup can be sprayed directly onto the soybeans with the intention of killing the weeds that's growing in and around them without harm to the beans. Aren't you happy for the farmers that grow these beans? They get to save some time and money and you get to eat the Roundup. And we wonder why Cancer is on the rise!

I could go on about Monsanto, Dupont and Syngenta for pages; however, the point that I make with this article is to start planting your garden with Heirloom Seeds. Heirloom Seeds has a great assortment and they are reasonable. You can click on their site right here and see that they have a full assortment of heirlooms. You can purchase heirlooms from them and then start saving your own seeds from your own crops.

I've been asked the question about what Heirloom Seeds are. The best way to explain it is that they have been around for centuries and are what God created. And personally I don't think that Monsanto can top that...no matter how hard they try. Don't be fooled by seeds that promote faster growth, bug-resistant and earlier crops. More than likely these are Hybrids and they won't give you the nutrition that your body really needs.

GO HEIRLOOM!" Read more!

Heirlooms...Saving Your own Seeds

This gardening year marked the advent of my first seed saving year from the garden. Not all has turned out as I expected, but…this is gardening.

I have wanted to accomplish this feat for years, but because of past obligations concerning time; I just never did. And I suppose that many of you hobby, and even fanatical gardeners are much the same way. However, if you can at all swing the time…I think you would find it very satisfying.

The most important aspect of saving your own seeds is that you will contribute to saving some of the many species of fruits and vegetables that are disappearing every year due to lack of interest. After all, it’s the grocery stores that determine most of the world market in both supply and demand. And if the Purple Potato is not selling well in your local produce department, then next year the farmer will not grow them and produce something else that will sell; which of course, is the more popular Russet Potato. This is happening more than you may realize. There is an excellent article on Sustainable Nutrition that will open your eyes to the fact that we have lost many of the heirloom fruits and vegetables just because there is not enough of a market to sustain them.

You and I have the unique opportunity of sustaining many of the heirlooms that are available today and we will profit in many ways from their special heritage.

One of the most valuable traits is the fact that we won’t have to buy all of those expensive seeds anymore. Don’t think they are that expensive? Think again! You could be paying as much as $2500.00 a pound for carrot seeds. Here is an interesting comparison by Robert Wayne.

A Quick Comparison of Vegetable Seeds to Silver Dollars

The small seed envelopes available for sale at hardware stores and supermarkets are generally priced between $0.97 to $1.69 per package. Each individual package usually contains somewhere between 100 mg to 3.5 g of seed, with an average of 900 mg of seeds per package. 1000 mg equals 1 gram and 1 gram equals 0.035 standard ounces. Therefore 900 mg equals approximately 0.0315 standard ounces or 0.0287 troy ounces. If the average seed package contains 900 mg of seeds and cost $0.97 then that is equivalent to $33.80 per troy ounce, which far exceeds the current market price of a one-ounce United States Silver Eagle. (Note: $0.97 / 0.0287 troy ounce = $33.80 per troy ounce.)


Therefore, in today’s normal global economy, seeds are more expensive per ounce than pure refined silver. And history has repeatedly demonstrated that during serious worldwide famine conditions, food and seeds eventually become more valuable than gold.

We look at that $0.99 on a package of seeds and think…“ that’s not really to bad” until we look at Robert Wayne’s comparison and then think “ maybe I could save a few of my own seeds”, however; that is not the only benefit. According to Mother Earth News the value could far exceed the initial cost of seed.

Let me first say that in order to save your own seeds, you first have to plant Heirloom Seeds. The main reason of course; is because the big seed companies like Mansanto and a couple others, have genetically changed many of our seeds that have taken both flavor and nutrition from our tables. This is called Genetically Modified Foods. They make the seed this bug proof, and that disease proof along with producing earlier and yielding more until you have a product that looks good…but has little value. And the main point in fact is that these seeds cannot reproduce themselves. They come up once at that's it!

This year I ordered most of my seed from an online Heirloom Seed Company. Now Heirlooms are not that much more expensive than the department store seeds, but the great part is that you only have to buy them once. The initial cost is a little more expensive, but next year I don’t have to buy near as many seeds and because of how seed saving works; I will only have to buy a few packages next year. This is because it takes two years for some of the seed saving process.

If you are just getting started (as I am ) in the seed saving process, then I would go online and look for some books on the subject. There is no end to the supply or information on this art.

Anyway, I had a few problems to start off with some of the seed. They were certainly alright, but some of them were packaged incorrectly which gave me a bit of a surprise, but…that was really quite alright. I would look online, or order some of the Heirloom catalogs and make your choice based upon guarantee and not on price. Some companies will give you a guaranteed growth and some will not even mention it. Look for the obvious!

So far I am very happy with the production and the taste of my Heirloom Veggies. The flavor is fantastic and in my opinion…the yield has been no less from the hybrid junk. I fought off a few bugs, horn worms and a little blossom end rot, but that’s to be expected with Heirlooms.

My advice…plant enough for both you and the bugs and you’ll have more than enough for all of you. Of course, if you use my bug juice; you won’t lose to awful much.

I’ll write a little more on this subject a little later because my garden is just now starting to come to an end and I’m just now starting the seed saving process.

Go Heirlooms!




Read more!

Great Zucchini Bread Recipe

This is a fantastic way to use up some that extra Zucchini Squash that's coming up in the garden now. And the great thing about this idea is that you can prepare it now and have it ready for the holidays. This bread; when wrapped properly will freeze very well and makes a great Christmas gift too.


Ingredients

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 3 eggs
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 2 1/4 cups white sugar
* 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 cups grated zucchini
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 223 | Total Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 26mg
Powered by ESHA Nutrient Databas

To freeze the bread:

Let the loafs cool naturally to room temperature. Then double wrap with saran wrap with foil on the outside. This loaf will keep about three months in the freezer. Just about time for Thanksgiving.

Good eating!Read more!

Cants on the Vine

Cantaloupe is doing very well These Cantaloupe have matured a little early with the recent heat in the mid-west, but I won't complain. We look forward to some fine eating.Read more!

Why Drip Irrigation

Watering the garden is not just a luxury...it is an integral necessity. However, the way in which we water our gardens is purely the decision of its owner. For countless years the chosen methods of watering has been either flood or over-head watering. Each method will certainly accomplish and fulfill the need; however, I daresay that both methods can lead to a lot of extra work. Since the advent of water pumps, the American gardener has given up the process of flood irrigation, so for the sake of space; I will address the main source of watering for the modern day gardener.


Water is the sustainable element to any garden. Crops must have it to grow, but how the water is delivered to our gardens can be causing about as much harm as good. A fairly daring statement I know, but ask yourself a couple of questions.

What happens when water is put where it's not supposed to be?
What is the long-term result?
Of course we have to think about where water is not supposed to be. If you have a leak in your roof for an extended period of time, then you will end up with destroyed ceilings and structures and if water gets into walls it will rot your wall Joice's and cause some nasty molds.

Water works the same way in your garden when it gets to places in your garden where it's not supposed to be. When you use an over-head sprinkler system, then you are watering your entire garden site. My question is why would you want to do this? The water will sometimes stand in your plants for days on end. If you have a few days of lower temperatures, then you stand the risk of that water causing mold, bacteria and mildew which; of course, causes disease. And if you are watering your Tomato plants foliage..then be prepared for disease. Always water your tomato plants at the root.

Also understand, that bugs need water. Now grant you; they don't need much, but if you have water standing in the crevices of your corn and lettuce it only stands to reason that you will help draw them to your garden for a fresh drink. Now starts the bug infestation!

The next bad omen to over-head watering is the fact that when you water...you are watering everything. Again I will ask...Why? It's the corn, tomatoes, beans and lettuce that you care about...why water the weeds and give them the ability to take over? Weeds already have everything that they need to flourish in your garden. They have nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. If you add water, then the weeds will flourish and you have to be out in the garden on your knees pulling weeds.

With a drip irrigation system; the drip line goes right down your garden rows alongside your fruits and veggies. You turn the water on and the drip emitters will drip at about 1GPM (gallons per minute) which means that your veggies is all that's getting watered. Your not watering in the isles of your garden, or around its edges...just the plants that you intend to water.

There is also other benefits to using a drip system. It will save you hundreds or maybe even thousands of gallons of water throughout your gardens growing season. And if you are watering with city water...that could cost you a lot of unnecessary money.

In using a drip system...the water goes directly to the root of your plants from where they drink from anyway. They do attain some water through their foliage, but let your plants get it from the early morning dew...not a sprinkler system. If your not watering over-head, then there will be no water sitting on your plants for an extended period of time; thus giving molds and disease no place to begin growing. You will have also done a great dis-service to the local bugs of your community which has relied on you in the past for a cool drink of water.

Another added benefit of drip irrigation is the fact that you can directly fertilize your garden plants through it. Now if you've fertilized your garden site according to my book Simple Gardens Exposed...then you won't have to fertilize through it, but it's good to know that that option is there.

Drip Irrigation systems can be expensive. However, in my book Drip Irrigation Made Simple...you can build one yourself with less than half the cost of conventional systems. The choice is up to you, but if you want to cut down on the weeding, the bugs and the disease in your garden and save lots of money in the process?...then install a drip irrigation system.

Save yourself a lot of time. With a drip system you can turn on one valve and water your entire garden in about an hour. You don't have to go out and move the sprinkers anymore or fuss with the hoses. A drip system just makes gardening more SIMPLE.

Wishing you gardening success!Read more!

Japanese Beetle Help

The Japanese Beetle is here to stay says The U.S. Department of Agriculture and they are spreading.

But for those of you that have some precious rose bush's or garden vegetables that you want to protect from being eaten, there is a natural way to help keep them off.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried cayenne peppers
1/2 cup jalapeno peppers
1 gal. water

Bring the water to a boil and add the peppers. I would suggest that you have the fan going above the stove or the steam will bring you to tears.

Let the mixture boil for approx. 30 min. and then remove from the heat and let steep all night. Strain the mixture with cheese cloth and place it in your hand held sprayer and spritz anything that you want to protect.

Make sure that you cover completely and re-spray after a rain or watering. I would suggest washing if you get any on your skin. It won't really hurt you, but it's doggone uncomfortable. Read more!