Sadly it is the end of muscadine grape season, and this weekend's harvest was just for eating. We picked near 40lbs a weekend ago with the intention to make wine, but after some research and discussion with a nice old man at the vineyard, decided it seemed too complex and required too much technical knowledge and material. So, we ditched that idea and opted instead to juice & then freeze a good number which I plan to make grape jelly with one of these days. If anyone has a good and simple wine recipe please do let me know. I'd love to hear your experiences.
Unlike grapes, the season has just begun for olive picking. Last weekend we treated ourselves to a bit of a mini-vacation to visit an olive grove. Olives are one of D's passions, some call it a border-line obsession (whatever you want to call it). In any case, we've got a 5 gallon bucket full of these little gems soaking and awaiting their brine curing.
Thankfully the chief grove security officer did not mind me taking a few photos of him on the job.
Needless to say preserves and pickled things will be on the Christmas gift list this year.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh YUM. i love picking too. It's so exciting imagining what the fruit is going to taste like once preserved, and how it's going to keep for another season in a jar...or lets face it, fresh in my belly. Have you ever looked into cold pressing your own olive oil? I've been really lucky procuring some from a friend of a friend. The taste is........so much more flavourful than store bought. You guys are great.
ReplyDeleteOh fun! The olives sound amazing, I bet they will be so tasty. I was dying to go to a strawberry patch this summer, but no one with a car was willing. Hopefully I can talk someone into apple picking.
ReplyDeletePicking is awesome. There is something so soul-satisfying abut it. Preserving, hoarding for the winter, loving the last freshness of the summer...
ReplyDeleteOlives? I wish I could you-pick olives, that sounds like some crazy mediterranian dream. So glad to see you back with so many posts, I look forward to delving into them more. I've missed you.