The Garden Thread - September, 2025

September 1, 2025 | Diana in WI/Greeneyes in Memoriam

[Liz]

SLOW COOKER PASTA WITH EGGPLANT SAUCE
Tasty slow cooker eggplant.

Ing 1 lg eggplant 1/2 cup chp onion 28 oz can Italian-style tomatoes, undrained, cut up 6 oz can Italian-style tomato paste 4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 c dry red wine 1/4 c water 1-1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 c pitted Kalamata olives, sliced 2 tbl snipped fresh parsley 4 c hot cooked pasta 1/2 c grated Parm

Method In slow cooker combine, peeled eggplant in inch cubes, onion, cut-up undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, garlic, wine, water, and oregano. Cover, cook on low 7-8 hours, or on high 3-1/2-4 hours. Stir in olives and parsley. S/p. Serve over fave pasta, sprinkle with Parm.

[Paul R.]

Zucchini does not have a compelling flavor of its own; it takes on flavors of ing you add.

I'm guessing "ing" was supposed to be "anything". :-)

Anyway, that is actually a very useful characteristic when one needs cheap "filler" for, well, most anything that needs cheap filler. I'm not "big" on the texture of Zucchini, but I don't hate it either.

[Liz]

Zucchini does not have a compelling flavor of its own; it takes on flavors of ing you add.......”that is actually a very useful characteristic when one needs cheap ‘filler’ for, well, most anything that needs cheap filler.”

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I very much enjoy zucchini on its own.......not as an ing in another recipe.

[Paul R.]

You are adding flavor w/ salt and / or seasonings / spices tho, right?

My wife cooks zucchini with soy sauce and some spices: It goes fairly well in Asian themed meals. I like her “Asian” green beans or mixed (actually California blend) veggies better, but the zuc is not a bad change of pace.

That Opo I keep mentioning is very mild tasting: I can add it (chopped) to almost anything from salads to omelets to spaghetti sauce, and it works well. :-)

[Liz]

My wife cooks zucchini with soy sauce and some spices: It goes fairly well in Asian themed meals. I like her “Asian” green beans or mixed (actually California blend) veggies better, but the zuc is not a bad change of pace.

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Sounds good to me.......what spices does she use with the soy sauce?

[Paul R.]

It’s amazing to me that people tend to IGNORE the first rule of gardening: Plant ONLY what you and your family will WILLINGLY eat - unless you plan on selling it. ;)

Or giving it away. That little "Free Veggies" stand I mentioned donates the money donated to it for veggies, to local charity orgs. I figure a few Mortgage Lifter toms on the table would attract some attention for them, IF I can get some extras.

BTW, what was your experience with Mortgage Lifters? Mine have taken so long to set fruits that I just hope they ripen B4 our 1st frost! NWS is forecasting 46° F next Monday morning - that's very cool for us for early Sept.

[Paul R.]

NWS is forecasting 46° F next Monday morning - that's very cool for us for early Sept.

And then next Tuesday early a.m. into afternoon we see a nearly 40° F positive temperature swing. Dang!

[Paul R.]

I’ll try to remember to ask!