over here we are...

~ Sitting and staring at the wonderful ginger-like in-season Jerusalem artichokes and wondering what the heck to do with them. 

 

Cook 'em, I think babe. (I can't believe she's almost ONE. If I didn't have this year recorded here I might start to think I'd missed it.)

 

~ Mixing buttermilk and cream and leaving it on the bench for a day to get gorgeous, glossy sour cream. (More on home made sour cream next week!)

 

~ Finding shovels and holes all over the garden. 

Occasionally with a culprit or two (or four - we love the neighbours) attached.

 

Digging for treasure, apparently. 

This hole, below, had a map strewn on the ground next to it. I'm not kidding. This is completely unguided by me, although am all for them digging up priceless pirate treasure. Knock yourselves out, smallies. 

 

Map by Tilly. 

 

~ Experiencing free-range baby. And trying to find the balance between letting her feel the ground and needing to carry her around so I know where she is. 

 

~ Ending each day with a couple of chapters of classic Enid Blyton. 

Ivy's not as riveted as the other two but she's still young. There's time to thoroughly inculcate her with Enid Blyton yet. 

 

Hope your Thursday had some buried treasure. 

xxx

I try to remember when time's measure
painfully chafes, for instance when autumn

flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing
to stay - - - how everything lives, shifting

from one bright vision to another, forever
in these momentary pastures.

From Fall Song, Mary Oliver

 

Comments

[Sue]

Oh, Darling, the gorgeous worm farm in the back of one of your pics- pop those nasty J artichokes straight in there for the lovely worms. Really, that's the best thing for them, unless they can be good for buried treasure. Their only redeeming feature, food-wise, is that you can pick them out without them spoiling the flavour of whatever they're in.

[Angie]

I once made a lovely gratin with jerusalum artichokes - it was a Jamie Oliver recipe - I just googled it and found it here: http://morselsandmusings.blogspot.com/2008/02/baked-jerusalem-artichokes.html

It was yummy, and we had family visiting for dinner that night. Well, they were not impressed by the after effects. My MIL and FIL said they would never eat them again - they have a reputation for being quite - er - wind-producing, and they certainly had an effect on my parents in-law! My hubby and I didn't have any bad after effects. However I found them a bit fiddly to clean and peel - mine were rather small, and I didn't bother to grow them again.

There are plenty of other recipes out there in Google-land to try.

Let us know how you get on.

[Andrea]

Fantastic! I have been re-reading my childhood Enid Blyton's a bit lately. Particularly the 'circus' related ones and 'Cherry Tree Farm'. I'd like to get a hold of the "Magic Faraway tree'. Its amazing how prolific old Enid was!

[Linda Woodrow]

oh no Sue! I love them. In a dish of baked vegetables, or (best) in a blended creamy soup. Made the same kind of way as pumpkin soup or leek and potato. They are low GI and really healthy too, and prolific an easy to grow.

[Account Deleted]

It was yummy, and we had family visiting for dinner that night. Well, they were not impressed by the after effects. My MIL and FIL said they would never eat them again - they have a reputation for being quite - er - wind-producing, and they certainly had an effect on my parents in-law! My hubby and I didn't have any bad after effects. However I found them a bit fiddly to clean and peel - mine were rather small,

[Claudine]

Oh, buried treasure, fantastic! Letting the kids be free range is the best!

[Alex Nolan]

Help! Need the recipe for sour cream asap as making butter today with James! Although, do I just keep the buttermilk in the fridge until required for sour cream? How long will it keep? Edward out at playdate today and I'm going to get James making butter. Wills will just have to keep himself amused while we potter in the kitchen! Have a top weekend xx

[IWM]

Oh I love it! We're continually going on treasure hunts here. Haven't let G loose with a shovel though. Probably not a good idea in this ridiculously posh garden. And very envious of your EB. Not sure R up to it yet. But I have "The Wishing Chair Again" here and am waiting in excited anticipation!

[Catherine]

I've only ever eaten jerusalem artichokes once, when I made this recipe:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/winter_roots_and_lemon_06059

It was fantastic, so I have no idea why I've only eaten them once!! Maybe because they're so hard to find here.

I've spent the past couple of days telling all of my friends how to make butter - like me, they've all been amazed that it's so quick and simple! I can't wait for the sour cream installment!!

[Darren (Green Change)]

I planted some Jerusalem artichokes this week, given to us by a friend down the road. Once they get going in the garden, you've got a reliable food source for life! The flowers are pretty, too.