Cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linnaeus)

20190718_093355You cannot have a true Greek village salad without cucumber, nor can you have true Greek tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt sauce).  So can you be a true Greek gardener and not grow cucumber?  I think not.

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Rendered Fat (Tallow, Lard, and Schmaltz)

No, I don’t live on some isolated homestead.  Yes, I could easily go to the store and buy some lard.  No, I don’t want to because making your own is easy enough to do, and why not save money and reduce waste in the process?

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Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

For whatever reason, the first appearance of asparagus in my garden seems almost magical.  One day it’s just empty dirt, the next day baby spears of deliciousness have erupted through the surface.

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Grilled Eggplant Baba Ganoush

20190829_193457As a child I hated eggplant.  Then I grew up and decided I should try them again.  Turns out they weren’t too bad after all (this didn’t work with mushrooms, though).

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Easy, No-Waste, Homemade Dill Pickles

20190728_073940So maybe you planted some cucumbers and now you’re realizing how many cukes those vines can churn out in a season and you’re wondering what the heck to do with them all.  Once again, I’m here to help!

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Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum)

20190528_172210No self-respecting Greek will return home from Greece without a large stash of dried Greek Oregano in their luggage.  Try explaining that one to a customs officer.

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Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

20190530_190306Any plant that can multitask is a plant I want in my garden.  Sweet Fennel lives up to this expectation very well as most of the plant is edible, as well as attractive.  Oh yeah, pollinators like bees and butterflies love it, too!

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