What did you do in the garden today?

[Acre4Me]

I copied down the oranges recipe the last time you posted it. I even went out and purposely bought Cointreau for just this recipe. These are going to be expensive oranges...

I thought I needed to buy more, but still had plenty left from before! But, that recipe was a favorite when we made it with oranges. Hopefully we love it with kumquats!

For anyone wanting to make that recipe, it calls for 9 naval oranges (which is roughly 3 lb kumquats).

 

[cj2024]

Have you seen any issues from temu ? Some people said they had extra cc charges and items sent that were not as described.

I just started ordering from them when I finally got my google pay unlocked with my new smart phone. The first order I received was as advertised, so I placed a few more orders on their clearance sale.

My new neighbor had her package addressed to my mailbox by mistake and came to my house to inquire about her package because the tracking said it was delivered and realized she put the wrong address. I told her I gave the package back to the mail man upon delivery because her name was on it. Later on, she said she got in contact with them, and they were very responsive and resent the package.

 

[cj2024]

I will not do business with temu ever again. No issues with payment or the product. I got endless emails from them and clicking "unsubscribe" did not work. That to me is a sign that they are dishonest. I'm not going to give them another chance.

I sent their emails to spam to get rid of them.

I think they fixed that because after I unsubscribed, I haven't received any promotional stuff, I don't even get an order notification like I did before. I have to go to their website to check and track my order.

 

[cj2024]

I see some flowers on my seed planted Pickering mango tree. This is the first time it fruited and its around 5 years old. I hope it set some fruit, so I can confirm if it's a Pickering mango tree. Might need to blow up the picture to see the flowers forming.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Spinach and some cilantro survived the cold snap in the greenhouse. All the lettuce is gone, all the arugula is gone. I watered everything. Lettuce in the house is almost ready to be harvested. Maybe salad on Friday? With that amount of spinach available, I'm thinking maybe savory (non sweet) cheese cake for lunch tomorrow.

 

[Sally PB]

I'm thinking maybe savory (non sweet) cheese cake for lunch tomorrow.

recipe???

 

[LaurenRitz]

recipe???

I'll have to tell you after I make it. I think I have dried tomatoes, I know I have dried peppers. One block of cream cheese and two eggs would make it more custardy. Most traditional cheesecake recipes are 1 egg for each block of cream cheese, and they add a LOT of sugar.

So right now...

Shred spinach, shred pepperoni, shred cheese, whip cream cheese with eggs, add dried tomatoes and peppers. Soda cracker crust might work, but I think I'll leave off the crust. Mix half with all the shredded stuff, leave half plain to compare.

Bake until the center is jiggly. Let it sit until cool.

If I can find my mixing blades I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I checked on my brassicas in the garden today. It's the first time I looked at them since the snow storm last Thursday buried everything under a foot of snow. They are planted inside my hoop house which is covered with 2 layers of insect netting. Then I covered the brassicas themselves with frost protection tree bags. It appears that the hoop house netting blocked the snow. There was no snow inside at all. And the brassicas look like they are still alive although partially damaged from the cold... Especially the younger foliage which looks wilted. The only downside is that my brassicas have yet to flower... They flowered this spring and provided a spring crop... But have not flowered yet this fall to provide a 2nd crop. I hope they do before the cold weather kills them off completely!

All of the lettuce inside the hoop house and inside my cold frame (outside the hoop house) came through with flying colors.

 

[chickengr]

View attachment 4027488
@chickengr

All 3 batches pictured. First two are Ball canning recipes. Last recipe was found on “Autodesk instructables” website (recipe posted by “kristinaliv”).

Cinnamon Kumquats:

1. 3lbs kumquats. 2 cinnamon sticks. 6 cups sugar.

2. Clean kumquats: this recipe says to use 2 Tbsp baking soda, add boiling water to cover, let sit 5 min. Rinse well 3x under cool running water. Then poke each kumquats 2x with toothpick to help prevent bursting. FWIW, some kumquat recipes say to cut off end bc can be bitter (I have no real experience here), so I did cut off stem end slightly.

3. Combine Kumquats, 8C (2L) water, cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil then reduce heat and gently simmer for 7 min.

4. Add sugar, stir constantly until sugar dissolved and almost back to boil. Discard cinnamon sticks.

5. Process 15 min in water bath.


Oranges in Cointreau:

1. 10 whole cloves + 5 cinnamon sticks broken up in cheesecloth pouch.

2. 3lbs kumquats sliced 1/8”. 3.5 c sugar. 2/3C water. 3/4 C Cointreau ( or triple Sec or Grand Marnier or Curacao). 1/2 C dry white wine (I used Savignon Blanc).

3. In pan, combine sugar, water, spice bag. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 min. Remove spice bag (I left mine in until the end). Add remaining ingredients, bring slowly back to boil, stirring gently.

4. Pack jars, process in water bath 15 min.

Sweet and Spicy Kumquats Pickles

Recipe written for 12 ounces of kumquats, and meant to be refrigerator pickles. I water bath canned them for 15 min. I used 3 lbs kumquats so I quadrupled the brine recipe.

1. 12 ounces (340g) Kumquats. 1/2 C sugar. 1Cup vinegar(any kind). 1C water. 1tsp salt. 8 peppercorns. 1 tsp up to 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (depending on desired spice level).

2. Wash kumquats and cut in half lengthwise, stem to end. Pick out any seeds.

3. Kumquats and water into pan, bring to boil and boil gently for 15 min, stirring occasionally.

4. Add remaining ingredients, stir bring to a simmer. Cook 15 min longer, uncovered. Taste and adjust if desired.

5. Portion into jars and water bath can for 15 min.

thank you!

 

[chickengr]

hope to see a bit of sunshine today. one forecast says so, another one says rain. my animals and I need a brake.