Pedro learned to make salsa from his abuela (grandmother) who passed down her very own molcajete (Mexican mortar and pestle, made from volcanic stone) which he then taught me to use. It is pretty special to have that bit of her in our home.
The ingredients of salsa are naturally pretty simple and inexpensive. But everything is better when you grow it and harvest it yourself. So this spring when I asked Pedro what were his top choices for garden planting, it all revolved around salsa. Tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, and lots of peppers.
I had so many tomatoes that I gave away all those in the photo to Kellen and Cameron. I also picked another huge bunch of them and made a ragu, with the help of fellow blogger Manja, whose amore is Roman and gave me some pointers. We ate some of the ragu and the rest is in the freezer.
I had not grown peppers before, and was dubious that our wet, cool climate would be sufficient to allow them to ripen. But they ripened and then some. The jalapenos turned red because we couldn’t eat them fast enough to harvest them while still green.
The tomatillo crop was productive but will be improved next year with better soil. The onions barely lived, let alone grew large, so next year I know they need much more SUN, and better soil. I am already anticipating more amazing salsas. We had better plant garlic next spring as well.
If you have a garden, what do you like to grow? Do you have challenges with the climate? I know it’s only October, and we are now cutting the squashes for harvest, but I’m already dreaming of next year.
Conscious Engagement 
Your garden is quite productive. I enjoy using my mortar and pestal although it’s not stone but ceramic. I bet the salsa is delicious. How is Manja? Since she stopped blogging I no longer converse with her
Manja seems to be doing well. She just spent time with another blogger, Norman who hosts the doors posts, and his wife, for their second trip to Italy. Bestia and Amore are also well. I get little hellos from them occasionally through What’s App, and I like to send her shots of wall art and doors that I think she will like. I do love when she sends me pics of her parents, too!
That is wonderful to know. I miss seeing bestia and her adventures. Manja is the one who started me posting on Dans Thursday Doors, fuelling my photo challenge addiction 😂
The food one grows oneself is ALWAYS better and tastier. Looks like your garden has really done well, Crystal. Like you, I always learn something that I tweak the next time, but the weather can also play havoc with what happens in the garden. I noticed you mention planting garlic next spring. I don’t want to sound like a know-it-all, but as far as I know, and have done myself successfully two years in a row now, one should plant garlic in November for harvesting around June, so perhaps double check with your specific area to avoid disappointment. – Jolandi
My favourite are the sun-ripened tomatoes. There is simply no equal. Pedro and I both stop and grab mouthfuls of tomatoes as we walk past the plants, which are helpfully growing along the path to his workshop.
Jolandi, I am SO grateful that you alerted me about the garlic. Clearly, I have never tried to grow those either, and needed the help. Thank you thank you. I checked, as you suggested, and I should be planting it right now, apparently, so that it can get a nice start before the frost. I am in your debt. ❤
I’m glad I could have been of help. You will see that your own garlic will also bring you a lot of joy. It is when one grows one’s own that one understands just how terrible the ones in the grocery stores are. I also love picking and eating tomatoes as I am working or walking through the garden in summer. I had some pear shaped yellow cherry tomatoes this year that I ate like one would peanuts. So deliciously sweet. These are the joys of gardening! Can you do a bit of winter gardening where you are, or is it just too cold?
Jolandi, I am blessed with a greenhouse that I have not used yet. At the moment it is in use as a storage shed while we make space in other places. But that might be possible this winter. We are also blessed here with a mild winter climate, so I am planning peas, lettuce, cilantro. These will be just fine as long as there is no freeze, which will happen a few times between November and April. I can just keep an eye on the overnight temperature forecasts, and hopefully cover the plants to protect them.
That is lucky, so I hope you can manage to clear your greenhouse for some winter crops, Crystal. I’ve been playing around with throwing out seeds last year for winter crops, or I should rather say spring crops, because I’ve cleared out my summer garden too late to really experiment with winter crops. I’m dreaming of the day that I don’t have to settle for temporary garden spaces and have our greenhouse built!
What splendid produce. I think you know what we grow 🙂
Your garden grows so much peace and love. ❤
XX
As you well know, I eat nothing hot and spicy but I absolutely love fresh veggies from the garden. I’ve never grown garlic either though I use more than the average amount. I can’t garden anything here. Barely keep anything green alive. Very short growing season up here. I do envy both of you. You are a perfect match for each other even though it’s not always easy sailing every single day. He’s lucky to have you as well. Just brought in my pots due to freezing on Friday night. The grow lights are on. Cross your fingers.
Oh Marlene, I wish there was a place I could donate my indoor greenhouse to the place where you live! Pedro bought it for me for Rainier, because of the deer and the grey, but now I don’t need it. 🙂 Yes, it would be a challenge growing things there! I suppose every place is tricky in its own way.
Thanks for what you said about our relationship. We do feel lucky to have each other.
I fully regret giving up the little one I had out back in my place in OC too. I think I paid $69 for it but didn’t know where I’d end up. We had a freeze last night and tonight so everything is safe inside but it will be a long winter for them in a tight squeeze. I just can’t be without something growing. I might look for something at the home store and hope it’s on sale. 🙂 No worries.
10 years of Portland gardening, and every year has been different. Things that had succeeded, failed, and vice versa. Weather? Pests? Soil? Timing of planting? Garlic has been a pleasure. Plant now. Portland Nursery has a bunch of different types in good quality. We plant enough to last a half a year! Eat on!! 😊
Nancy, I appreciate your experience on this. I was wondering about that, too, the changes from year to year. Now I know to expect it. We will just keep planting and keep watching. Everything is a bonus, because I garden for fun, not because I’m hungry. It’s just an awesome hobby that keeps me outside where I am happy, and the food is amazing.
I’m not hungry either, as you say, but it’s incredibly satisfying to eat what you’ve grown, and you know what’s gone into it/where it came from. We share with others as well, and it’s a lovely gift whether it’s basil you grew or the pesto you made from it. All kinds of healthy perks!! (Cornell Farms is another good place we’ve bought garlic bulbs from for planting).
I wonder if I’ll ever be drawn to the garden. Having been in the food business for years I grew only an appreciation for all that grows. I know so many that get their hands in the dirt every year and have wildly productive crops. The tomatos seem plentiful everywhere this fall and for that I’m glad. I am fortunate to be on the receiving end of lots of garden delights and I always miss summer and fall when the flavor is gassed out of everything in the stores. Rooting you and your garden on!
Thank you for rooting for us, my friend! And what a special thing to be on the receiving end of the garden gifts. I have always believed that food tastes better when someone else made it, and that could include garden food, ha ha!