Sunday, August 24, 2008

Enjoying the bounty


A while back, I wrote about my father-in-law's garden.  It has grown into the most beautiful garden he has ever had.  We spent most of yesterday helping to take care of some of the gorgeous corn crop.  They have a system for freezing corn that makes it so we can enjoy the fresh taste for a long time.  It is sooo much better than canned or purchased frozen corn, it is hard to believe it is the same vegetable.  All my grandkids (heck, I think pretty much all the great grandkids) love it.  They are always excited about having some of "Grandpa's corn."   We finished and froze 83 pint bags yesterday.  Hubby's mom and dad had already done 38 bags, and there are lots more ears in the garden!  





That same day, my father-in-law picked three buckets of green beans (these are just two of the buckets).  These are not the first he's picked either.  He picked a bucket of tomatoes, but already has several buckets they are using to make salsa today--along with the peppers and onions from the garden.  

What a wonderful time of year!


12 comments:

Great Grandma Lin said...

i love fresh produce. nothing like a tomato from the garden for flavor and corn on the cob just picked or frozen and eaten later can't be beat. but it is a lot of work to put it all up to enjoy later.

Rambling Woods said...

That looks so yummy...That would be great to have produce from your own garden. A friend of mine says I should try to do a container garden on my deck. I will look into that next season...

wispy willow said...

Whoa!! That's quite a harvest. Lots to be grateful for in this lovely life we live, isn't there?
I'm impressed with your grandparents. That kind of a garden doesn't come without a lot of work and dedication to caring for the land. You obviously come from good stock!!

Mare said...

I am not a produce gardener except for my tomatoes[planted in containers.] I'm looking forward to the tomato[and a touch of mayo and salt]sandwich in my near future! I love corn on the cob! Now, for the corn on the cob poll: Do you eat it straight across like typing on a type writer...or do you go round and round in a spiral?
I am a typewriter!

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Mare, I'm definitely a typewriter.

Caryn, Working in the garden is my father-in-law's greatest joy. I don't think anyone could do what he does unless they felt the same way. My dear hubby did NOT inherit that particular quality.

Kay said...

Oh my! This all looks so gorgeous. I'm positively envious. Veggies are always so much more delicious coming from your own garden and you know it's organic.

Kay said...

And I love corn!!!

Sheila Keller-Powell said...

Guess, what? My Father-in-law (the 2-4-D specialist!!) just brought me a cooler full of fresh corn too. I'll be a shuckin' as soon as I finish this comment.

So what's your secret way of freezing fresh corn? I just freeze it. ?? skp:)

Sheila Keller-Powell said...

Guess What? My Father--in-law (Mr. 2-4-D himself) just brought me a cooler of fresh corn also! What's your secret way of prepping them for the freezer? I just shuck them and freeze?
Yep, this is this time of the year when gardeners realize (always) that they have more than enough produce and are happy to give some of it away to those that appreciate their hard work and dedication to plant tending.
At which "residence" will you be storing all this lovely fresh/frozen produce? hahahha
skp:)

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Sheila,

We don't freeze it on the cob...takes up too much room. Shuck it, wash it, drop in boiling water for just a few minutes (I'll have to find out exactly how long when I help again on Wednesday--I was on other duty), cool it in ice water immediately, cut it off and put however much you want into bags. Nothing is added. My father-in-law cooks it in a big kettle (cold packer, they call it) on a propane stove (outside of course). He has determined that 14 cobs at a time cook correctly and allow the water to stay boiling. We don't mess with what works.

Smittie said...

Jo! ---That looks sooooooo good! Like Sheila, I would like to know the exact cooking time. Yum!

dellgirl said...

"GOODNESS GRACIOUS!" These vegetables are beautiful. Makes you hungry just looking at it.