Almost a year to the date, it’s grape juice making time again. Mmmmm…grape juice.
This time…1)got more grapes and 2)added more sugar.
Ten quarts of grape juice barely made a dent in the walmart bag filled with Ma&Pa’s Concord grapes I schlepped across the state. I’m currently thinking of make grape jelly with the remaining (we’ll see).
But at least the cobwebs have been knocked off the canner. It’s also canning time.
Lets Ask Gary…Bug #6
This guy was just hanging out on a zucchini leaf.
The Mexican Sour Gherkin
Looking like teeny tiny watermelons, their distinctive light and dark green “rinds” do stand out.
The Mexican Sour Gherkin (Melothria scabra) is an heirloom native to Mexico and Central America, where it’s known as Sandita (little watermelon).
Overall, it just a bizarre little veggie.
Vining up to 10 FT, these babies definitely add interest to your garden.
It does, however, take forever to grow. Weeks and weeks later, it finally takes off, with tendrils climbing everywhere.
And weeks after that, little bitty ‘melons’ start to appear.
Finally, we get to try one….
Yowza!!! They don’t call it ‘sour’ for nothing, folks. It’s got a bite to it
fer-sur.
It’s a cucamelon!! ( without anything to do with melons)
Between the Gherkins, the Lemon, the Dragon Egg and the Boston cucumbers, You can only eat so many, and give so many cucumbers away until they start piling up….then it’s pickle time.
I’ll try to pickle the Gherkins later this week, but atleast I was able to can the rest.
Is this thang’ on…
Oh…My…Gardens!
Between the brutally hot and humid temperatures, then the rain and visiting family (rinse and repeat) my gardens have been sorely neglected, ignored, forgotten, brushed aside…
You get the point…
And now for photo catch up
Bell Pepper, Tomatoes and Onion
All from the garden & ready for Spaghetti
Cucumbers, Zucchinis & One Eggplant
Lots of Zucchini…ready to freeze
Lemon, Dragon Egg & Boston
Cucumbers (w/Jalapeños & Beans)
Lets Ask Gary…Bug #5
Found this guy, pooping away.
almostfarming 