I’ve never been one to claim I have a green thumb.
The extent of my gardening experience includes running water down the furrows, poking my finger into the ground to measure planting depth before dropping a seed, or pulling what seemed to be an endless amount of weeds — just to turn out with a $1 plastic succulent that sits on my vanity because it’s the only thing that I can keep green.
However, after moving to Cedar City in the past month, I have had the opportunity to help my grandma in her own garden, which includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables: peaches, tomatoes, apples, grapes, cucumbers, cherries, apricots, strawberries, zucchini, squash, asparagus, corn, beets, radishes, carrots, rhubarb, and onions … you name it, she probably has it.
In order to utilize all of these and avoid waste we bottle a majority of them, give them away to family and locals, or just eat them fresh at the table, which I enjoy the most. You too can enjoy the harvest of either your own gardens or those of others in many ways! My favorite easy garden recipes include these:
Peaches n’ Cream
- This one is easy! Simply cut up a ripe peach (or two) and add a choice amount of milk or heavy cream and granulated sugar — mix, and enjoy!
Mashed Yellow Squash
- This one is a family favorite and simple as well. Add 4 yellow squash (sliced) to a pot of boiling water and boil until tender. After draining the water, mash the squash along with 2 tablespoons of butter, salt and pepper to taste, and a ½ cup of milk (the addition of shredded cheese is a favorite as well).
(Easy) Corn on the Cob
- With school, a quick lunch has been the only option on busy days. This method of cooking corn is the only way to go! After taking them from the garden, we wash the corn, wrap them in saran wrap and place in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (based on size), unwrap them under running water, coat in butter, salt and pepper, and eat!
Links for more garden recipes:
- Easy Garden Skillet
- Amazing Garden Vegetable Recipes
- Recipes for Using and Preserving your Garden Produce
- Autumn Recipes
Pick a recipe and give it a try!
Wishing everyone the best of luck as they wrap up the gardening season and prepare for the colder months to come!
– by Hailee Eyre (18) Panguitch
Feature image caption: Gardening is great … until you run out of things to do with your fresh vegetables. Luckily, Hailee can help us with that! Courtesy Les Bourgeonniers.
Hailee Eyre – Panguitch
Hailee Eyre is a journalist at The Byway. She attended Southern Utah University in the fall and is pursuing a career in the medical field. Her favorite topics to write about are those that intend to inspire others, providing motivation as means to better yourself or the world around you. In her free time, Hailee loves to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, boating or hiking.
Hailee is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pennsylvania and New York Church History Sites Mission.