We've had an amazing growing year here at Earthstead, so I thought we should show some of our produce, and what we've been doing with it. This summer we have been really privileged to host some amazing wwoofers who have not only helped to tend the gardens, they have also helped to preserve it's bounty for the coming winter.Megan from the US kicked things off back in January at the beginning of the basil harvest, making mountains of marvellous pesto to freeze for the long winter months.... (to check out the recipe, click here)
She also helped bring in the garlic and onions and string them up to dry.
Then Angie and Geoff lent a hand with the giant red cabbages. Angie even chose a dress to match the colour to the cabbage.
Next Wwoofer Rachel from North Carolina, harvested the new wave of basil and turned it into more delicious green pesto. (Recipe)
She also chopped heaps of tomatoes, beans, zucchinis, onions and basil ready for boiling and bottling for amazing pasta sauce.(Recipe) This is a great quick meal on a cold winter day.
Wwoofer Joe from Germany gathered the every ripening tomatoes each day for use in salads or for preserving.
Dave was the honey gatherer, harvesting bottles of the yummy stuff from our three bee hives. We are now replacing sugar with honey in all the recipes we can, with delicious results.
We used our plums to make the amazing Sleeping Plums. (recipe) I think it is called sleeping because of all the brandy in it. A wonderful night cap as well as a great dessert.
Although we only had a few apples from our young trees, they were delicious, and we look forward to bigger harvests in the years to come.
Returning Wwoofer Jenn shows off our first melon for the season.......
and a delicious melon it was, served with lots of homemade icecream. (recipe)
Sunday night is pizza night, and during the summer we are totally spoiled for choice as far as toppings go.
Grandbaby Bristol was not too sure about the giant zucchinis curing around him.....
but Jenn just loves her new green companions, and carries them around like babies!
And here is Ali with the biggest melons we have ever seen at Earthstead!
Last but not least, our first egg plant of the season made us proud. In the basket is more basil for yet more pesto, the perfect end to the harvest story.
