In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen

I doubt that I’ll ever grow a different pole bean. ‘Emerite’ from Renee’s Garden has performed remarkably in my garden for over a decade. The yields of these filet beans are substantial. The catalog accurately describes its virtues.
Emerite is a long, elegant filet pole bean from one of the oldest French breeders. The pods of these classic “haricot verts” beans are slim, rounded, and grow 7 to 9 inches long. Emerite’s flavor is sweet, delicate, and the long pods have a crispy snap that makes them especially delicious when just briefly steamed or quickly stir-fried. Emerite’s tall vines are vigorous and productive with high yields of extra-fancy pods sure to please and reward the gourmet gardener and cook.

Here’s what I picked one morning from the three food wide trellis and there were more by late afternoon. ‘Royal Burgundy’ bush bean has done well in the shoulder seasons. It’s so easy to find the gorgeous purple beans on the plants. I’ll do a succession planting of ‘Provider’ and later of ‘Royal Burgundy’ to finish the season.

Similar kudos for ‘Chelsea Prize’ cucumber, also from Renee’s Garden. I’m harvesting one to four large cukes like these every day from three plants climbing a trellis and sprawling onto the gravel path. Key words: thin skinned, sweet flesh, few seeds, vigorous vines.

Garden ingredients for a riff on Green Goddess Pasta Salad, a Trader Joe recipe. It’s the end of the zucchini season and this is the last of the spring onions. ‘Black Magic’ kale from San Diego Seed Company has persisted all summer, aphid-free—a first in my growing experience. Bunnies and chickens get the lower, large leaves and I go for the tender new ones.

Nectaplum trees are bare but a few dozen are in the fridge and on the counter ripening. Recently I made nectaplum jam using the Choose-your-stone-fruit jam recipe—3 ingredients, no pectin. A fool-proof recipe with the instructions and the yield, a delicate, rose-peach colored jam that captures nectaplums perfectly.

Summer fruits—apricots, apples and nectaplums prompt dessert adventures. I tried a new shortcake recipe from Joy the Baker. So long, Fanny Farmer. Macerated nectaplums and fresh whipped cream with the shortcake may be the dessert highlight of the summer.

This bouquet and garden vegetables went to a young friend who is half way through her chemo. Hope both can cheer her on the journey.

You may enjoy seeing what other garden bloggers harvested last week at Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres.

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