Garden update: day 64.

Another installment of the ongoing saga of the raised garden beds I planted back in July, in which we get to start enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of our labors.

Those are soybean pods. In theory, if it looks like we’ll have a big enough harvest, we might take a crack at making our own tofu. If not, we’ll eat some as edamame and try to dry some for use later.

The purple beans are the first of the bush beans to maturity (although some yellow wax beans are on their way). Tragically, when cooked, these deep purple beans turn to a dark green color. (I’m tempted to try barely cooking them, then shocking them in ice water, to see if that helps, but I’m not optimistic.) Therefore, we’ll probably eat at least some of these raw.

The chard is still performing really well. I made some lemon-chard soup (with red lentils) that turned out exactly the way I wanted it to. Next, I may try Uncle Fishy’s strategy of sauteéing chard with leeks and dressing it with sherry vinegar.
I also harvested a huge bowl of mustard greens. I cooked them with onions, potatoes, cannelini, and a jar or Trader Joe’s masala curry simmer sauce. I’d do it again (and probably will have to soon).

And have I mentioned we’ve been eating a lot of salad?
It is possible that before the week is out we’ll be able to harvest some turnips and daikon radish.
Meanwhile, something is munching on our cabbage and broccoli. I haven’t caught the vermin in the act, so I don’t know whether cabbage worms or snails are behind the destruction. (Also, I don’t know whether certain of our crops would be in the path of these pests were it not for the crucifera that have been targeted.)