What is the point in putting time and effort into growing fruits and vegetables in your garden if you don’t get to enjoy the produce? Sometimes garden produce will go to waste simply because people don’t know how to use or what to do with everything they have grown. This article could help you to avoid this problem with your garden harvest this September.
Aubergines (or Eggplants)
Aubergines, commonly known as Eggplants, are relatively easy crops to grow as, within reason, they tend to look after themselves and once they have turned shiny, they are ready to harvest. However, you might be lacking inspiration with regards to how to put these into use in recipes, but there is actually a lot that you can do with them! Aubergines, if thinly sliced, can be used as a nutritious alternative to pasta sheets in a lasagne.
Cabbages
Cabbage is a common vegetable in kitchen gardens and can become a boring side dish to any family meal as a result of its abundance. However, changing the way that cabbage is used will make it more interesting and mean that less of it goes to waste. Using the correct herbs and spices, such as cumin, turmeric, garlic (which can also be grown in your garden) and curry leaves, cabbage can be used to make a hearty curry that is both healthy and delicious.
Tomatoes
Home grown tomatoes taste beautiful but, because so many are grown, they can often turn bad before they are put to good use. It can be difficult to know what to do with tomatoes other than throw them into a salad, make a chutney or turn them into a pasta sauce. Make a refreshing gazpacho as a light starter or snack, or halve them, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 10-15 minutes for a delicious side dish to meats or fish.
Apples
Apples are also in abundance when it comes to September harvesting, but they don’t just have to be a boring snack or baked into a crumble to stop them going to waste. Finely chop them or grate them to add to a waldorf salad, which would be great on the last of the warm September days. You could also juice them to add a homegrown fruity touch to your favourite cocktails.
If you haven’t yet started your own kitchen garden, there is nothing stopping you now. Just because the summer is disappearing, it is still possible to grow your own garden produce. A planting box is great for someone who wants to grow their own fruit and vegetables, but doesn’t have much in the way of green space. Likewise, a cold frame will help to take the edge off of the cold weather and frosts if you don’t have the garden space for a greenhouse.
Do you have any favourite recipes for the kitchen garden in September? Share your ideas in the comments!
