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One more for the zucchini files

2010 September 13
by Rachel Turiel

We haven’t talked about zucchinis in awhile, but I want you to know I’ve been conducting mad culinary experiments and preservation trials. It’s like a county extension office in my very small kitchen, so bereft of counter space that I put 7 half-pints of steaming hot peach salsa on the kitchen floor to cool yesterday, which Dan said was like inviting skin burns and broken glass. “So, stay out of the kitchen,” I growled to him and the bouncy kids who were playing “take puppy on a walk,” which entails dragging each other around by a rope tethered to a plastic basketball hoop, which is placed around the child er, puppy’s neck. And now my dad is calling child protective services on me, but I swear it’s very very safe.

Go here to read my weekly column in Edible San Juan Mountains, in which I decant the wisdom of the zucchini into one simple, immutable truth.

(and then I promise not to talk about zucchini for 10 more months).

Oh, and Dan is out bow-hunting again, this time for a week. My mantra is going strong, but my parents are here to help, which is like having Mary Poppins come over with her team of assistants, because when the grandparents drop the kids off after babysitting, they’ll leave a 6-pack on my counter after they hang a load of laundry on the line.

So far we’ve been dodging frost with piles of blankets and sheets draped over the garden.

And, this week I’m in swoonsville over this:

white morning glory



8 Responses leave one →
  1. September 13, 2010

    Gorgeous (are those cow horns peeking out over the fence?). We’ve been gifted several zucc’s and yellow squash (forgot to lock the doors) and I’ve been trying to figure out how to sneak them down unsuspecting gullets…I’m definitely trying roasting tonight (sounds like a great burrito filling).

  2. September 13, 2010

    Zucchinis have a special place in our house, so write on sister! How lucky you are to have your parents nearby so they can help. And the six-pack? God bless them.

  3. September 14, 2010

    I so know what that feels like! The no counter space while trying to put up food for the family. It’s no small feat to juggle all that shit that’s hot and needs the right amount of head space. Let alone when puppies are under foot (that is hilarious).

    Such different growing conditions we have. We aren’t near our first frost. So you have a shorter but hotter season, it seems….huh. You get tomatoes, I get greens all summer. xo

  4. September 14, 2010

    oh – yay! when i have another kid, i won’t have to be the one taking the cat for a walk! despite the complications that may or may not involve cps.

  5. linda permalink
    September 14, 2010

    hurray for your parents!!

  6. September 15, 2010

    my god. am i *totally and completely* LOVING the practical kitchen and garden goodie advice over at San Juan Table?

    why, yes. yes i am.

  7. September 15, 2010

    I love zucchini – and how you’ve “decanted” it, in all its glory and in every way (except the mousse, right? That one makes me so curious and confused I might just look into it). One of my favorites: shredded zucchini and carrot saute with garlic and herbs, from Cooks Illustrated circa 1995. I followed the recipe once and have since tried it a million different ways – with the water pressed out and the vegetables shredded thin, they end up full of flavor.
    Envious of your 6-pack fairies. My Dad is much more likely to drink my beer than to bring me any!

  8. September 16, 2010

    Beautiful picture!!! Oh how I love zuccinni!!!!!!!!

    ~Samantha

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