Veggie Month: Red Cabbage

While tempted to count the dill pickles I had at Elijah's this afternoon as today's vegetable, I pushed ahead and cooked a head of red cabbage from my vegetable drawer.

When I think of red cabbage, I think of "A Christmas Story." I have no idea if this recipe is in fact what was prepared in the movie, but it was tasty.

I've cooked red cabbage before, with just butter, sugar, and balsamic vinegar. This new recipe required more ingredients, but it wasn't any more difficult. Although next time I'd try it with apple cider vinegar to complement the diced apple.

As Ralphie's mother said, "You love red cabbage."

I do.

This Title Will Be Free of a "Beet the Jets" Pun

I planted them in July. And they grew. And grew into the little red nubs that will stain your fingers better than Easter egg dye. Today seemed like as good a day as any to pluck them out and turn them into a salad. Just in time for a meal before the Chargers cream the Jets.

(The garden. And the help.)

(The haul.)

(Lettuce, beets, walnuts, goat cheese, and croutons. Finished with a balsamic vinaigrette.)

Growth Spurt

The seed packet said these beets would be ready for harvest in 58 days. 77 days in, they are half-inch nubs. I'm hoping they'll hit their teenage growth spurt--although without the awkward voice and bad skin--soon.

This season's to-date fig count: 43.

Beetlings

These little beet seedlings popped out today--blurry-eyed but ready to take on the San Diego enclave of this harsh world we live in.