There’s a rhythm about fall that seems to be well, common.
At least among my friends.
With our first freeze predicted for Halloween
I began cutting basil on Thursday
And again on Friday.
Buckets of basil.
I always plant too much
Which means I have basil to spare
For months on end.
I use it during the growing season.
But by October it’s giant and going to seed everywhere.
Yet I feel that none of it can go to waste.
I either have to dry it
Or make pesto
Or find it a home.
Pesto is my first plan of attack.
So on Friday
When the weather men were issuing their threatening forecast.
My sister Ann called and said.
“So I’m guessing you’re making pesto.”
And I was.
She’s in the same place I am.
With way too much basil.
But she has the advantage of being able to feed her extra.
To her bunnies.
I on the other hand
Do not have hungry bunnies living at my house.
So when a friend dropped by with a cape for Coco to wear for Halloween.
She was rewarded with bonus basil.
Others who dropped by were also given the chance
But most declined.
I thought of bagging it up in little bags and giving it out
To the 400+ kids who came trick or treating.
But there might be potential for misunderstanding there!
I’ve now made 3 batches of regular pesto
3 C. packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 C. grated parmesan cheese
6 cloves chopped garlic
6 T toasted Pine nuts
4 T olive oil
Put all ingredients into food processor.
Pulse till well chopped but not a puree.
Spray ice-cube tray with non-stick cooking spray.
Freeze. Then store cubes in plastic bag.
It’s about a tablespoon or 2 of pesto.
And a couple of roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomato pesto.
3 medium red bell peppers 0r 1 jar .
12 sun-dried tomatoes – soaked and drained
1 clove garlic chopped
3 T roasted pine nuts.
a handful of fresh basil leaves.
A handful of fresh Italian parsley
Juice of 1 lemon
2 T grated parmesan cheese.
Prepare like basil pesto
I’ve also been roasting and freezing the last of the ripe tomatoes.
All of which is giving our house
A rather Italian aroma.
Now…what to do with all those
Peppers and green tomatoes.
And in the end
It didn’t even freeze!
Gail
The other fall ritual I love
Is sharing plants with friends
Kay and Tori came by on Saturday morning.
To dig the last of the ferns.
New plans for this area
Come spring.
In My Garden 