The quinoa heads have turned wonderful shades of yellow and orange, signaling that the harvest is ready. They are cut and wilting, ready to be threshed in a few days. The plants grew taller than I could reach with an upstretched hand and the heads would make a sensimilla grower swoon, though of course we hope these are very much with seeds. I have also been collecting poppy seeds and drying broad beans, and leaving some of the French bean pods to swell. Pumpkins are finally swelling and tomatoes turning red, and even from two plants we have a serious courgette glut.
Much of the excess garden produce I am preserving through lactic fermentation. This is an ancient technique, the discovery of which some have suggested to be on a par with fire and even language in our development. And yet it is virtually unknown today, at least in this country. Elsewhere the tradition continues, as sauerkraut and kimchi, and a host of pickled vegetables and fruits, notably Japanese umaboshi. In Japan pickles are served little and often, with almost every meal in fact, as is best for you and your digestive fauna. I find it sobering to consider that our own cells are actually outnumbered by those we carry symbiotically in our guts. All benefit enormously from our eating lacto-fermented foods, and not just because they are so delicious. These foods are alive, rich in enzymes created by the cultured lactobacilli, which actually increase vitamin levels and digestibility, as well as creating antibiotic and anticarcinogenic substances. The process is very straightforward: put your vegetables in a jar, add herbs and spices if you wish, cover with brine, and wait. If you are interested to give it a go, go here: http://awesomepickle.com/
Wasps are raiding the new beehive. I think we do have a laying worker - several eggs are being laid in some cells, and as we know a queen is not so careless. I had thought that since there are grubs, that would suggest the presence of a queen, but I now understand that laying workers' eggs will develop, but only into drones. I am now expecting to find many of those goggle-eyed malingerers in that hive, who will be failing to offer any defence to the yellow raiders. The other hives have many less attackers, which certainly suggests a weakness in the new colony. The weather having turned decidedly autumnal I have given up much hope of any honey this year, and we will hope to start next year with two happily overwintered colonies both raring to go.
Another sign of the changing seasons: rabbit and mushroom casserole tonight!
