applestar wrote:somegeek wrote:Found an easy way to get the small prickly things off - a few passes with a scotch brite pad under running water.
I wet the cuke, scrub with about 1 tsp of coarse Kosher salt in my hands, then lightly rinse off. Salt acts as abrasive, seasons nicely and supposedly helps to remove bitterness in the skin.
Thanks, applestar - I will have to give that a try. Will have many more opportunities to do so.
Jalapenos(from seed) are starting to produce...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_167.jpg[/img]
Red Chili pepper plant(from seed)...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_168.jpg[/img]
Bell pepper plant from seed taken from a store bought bell pepper... one of those "eh, what the heck - give it a try" plants.
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_169.jpg[/img]
Sweet pepper plant(from seed). One pepper just starting to turn red...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_170.jpg[/img]
Another Jalapeno plant(from seed) starting to take off fruit-wise...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_172.jpg[/img]
Beefsteak tomaotes(store bought starter)...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_176.jpg[/img]
Roma tomato plant(store bought starter) putting on a lackluster performance...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_177.jpg[/img]
My healthiest beefsteak plant(store bought starter) - near 6' tall - lots of nice large fruit...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_178.jpg[/img]
Beefsteak from seed - not matching what was on the packet... maybe these seeds came from some cross-polinated variety?
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_179.jpg[/img]
Loaded up Roma plant(store bought starter)...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_171.jpg[/img]
Red potatoes(store bought seed potatoes) doing well... looking forward to digging these up to see how we did.
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_173.jpg[/img]
Sword Cucumbers(from seed) - these are doing very well. Each of the four plants has two or three runners running up the trellis. Enjoying the following cucumber salad with these:
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Slice two large English cucumbers thin(~1lb 4oz) - potato peeler works well to get thin consistent slices)
Toss in a bowl with 1 tsp kosher salt, dump into a strainer, and place in bowl in the fridge for 1 hour to bring out excess water.
While cukes are sitting, combine in a bowl:
1 oz diced onion
2/3 C sour cream
1 heaping tsp dill
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp lemon
After the cukes are done in the fridge, combine with the sour cream mixture and scarf. Tastes better after a few hours so flavors can marry/develop.
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Every day or two I check them to make sure they're training up onto the trellis correctly. Next year I will space four plants a little better in anticipation of training them up onto the trellis...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_174.jpg[/img]
Strawberries (store bought starters)- planted a little late but growing well. I rearrange the runners every few days for even coverage and to keep them on their side of the bed...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_175.jpg[/img]
Couple of our basil plants(from seed)... they're coming back nicely after being cut back roughly 2/3 for a harvest...
[img]https://somegeek.home.comcast.net/somegeek_seedling_180.jpg[/img]
Potted up some habenero seeds and also have some bhut jolokia seeds on order. Will winter these plants over in our home. Looking to try some real heat.
somegeek