Six on Saturday: June 19

Summer Squash “Bossa Nova”

This week’s Six on Saturday is a selection of things in the potager that will be coming onto the menu very shortly. In fact, the first summer squash and cucumber have already been picked and will be part of today’s lunch! The potager beds contain a variety of summer squash, but only one plant of each. “Bossa Nova” is a new one for me, but it certainly looks promising and was the first to set fruit. “Fordhook” and “Jaune de Vert” are not shown but are blooming well.

Summer Squash “Sunburst”

2) “Sunburst” has been grown many times before, and always does well. This year’s plant is becoming loaded with baby “patty pan” shaped squashes, which will eventually turn bright yellow with deep green trim, but they can be picked even at this baby stage for tender eating.

Summer Squash “Ronde de Nice”

3) “Ronde de Nice” is a staple in the potager, not only because every true potager needs a few French veggies, but because it is one of my very favorites. As you can see, it is loaded with baby round (these are about tennis ball size already) fruits. I counted 7 on this plant, and it will just keep producing for months. I can start harvesting today, if I want!

Pepper “Feher Ozon”

4) Before you think we are only be going to eat squash all week, gaze upon this cluster of “Feher Ozon” peppers. I use them like any bell pepper fresh or frozen, or they can be dried once they pass thru the yellow to cream to orange to deep red stage for paprika. They are one of the most productive peppers I grow, and having four different colors make a package of pepper strips really easy. I just add a green pepper to the mix, and it’s a veggie rainbow! They are always the first to be picked, and still bountiful when the freeze arrives.

Tomato “Polbig”

5) The tomato above is “Polbig,” an early variety that is tried and true. It is golf ball size already, and not alone. The rain we are getting this morning should really help everything balloon quickly. There are marble sized tomatoes all throughout the potager, so it may be another good year. We won’t be eating tomatoes this week, unless I decide to make a green tomato salad…but soon!

“Parisian” cukes

6) Some of the “Parisian” cukes are already past the point of picking for cornichons. They are certainly going to be abundant again this year. As you can see, they are an heirloom that is not spineless, but a quick rub with a towel makes them smooth and tasty. The first one has already been picked. The vines have already climbed to shoulder height and the bees are loving all those yellow blossoms!

Sauteed summer squash and cucumber salad with fresh dill will be a nice change from all the lettuce, peas, snow peas, Napa cabbage and cabbage we’ve been eating for the past couple of weeks. Oh, and the strawberries which have been wonderful, but are just about finished. Eating seasonally keeps one filled with child-like anticipation, looking forward to what’s coming next. I’m constantly prowling through the potager, searching for what’s blooming or maturing. But I think seasonal eating also makes one really savor whatever is on the menu currently, because like the strawberries and snow peas, you know it may soon be gone until next year!

That’s my Six on Saturday for this week. To see what other gardener’s are doing or thinking or photographing, visit The Propagator, who hosts this meme.