One of the things I love about summer is the wonderful array of fresh local (and organic) fruits and veggies! And what could be more local than growing your own produce? We have just a tiny plot out back that we have dedicated to our "crops" this summer, but community gardens allow almost everyone to grow-their-own produce these days. It's really worth the effort and can be money-saving, too if you pickle, freeze, can, or even trade your extras! In spite of an over-abundance of rain this year (and a feisty group of squirrels who certainly seem to me to have opposable thumbs), we have had berries galore, lettuces, sorrel, carrots and radishes, corn, cukes, several varieties of tomatoes, the requisite compendium of herbs, and lots of zinnias. We've been fortunate to expand the variety of our bounty through trades with neighbors for zucchini, beans, peas, different types of peppers, and eggs (the latter would be from chickens, not the garden). It's amazing how much better things taste when they are fresh, and aren't waxed or treated or grown with chemicals--I find them to be sweeter and more tender! That's why we use the freshest ingredients available to us and look for organic products when we bake for Cakes--we think it makes everything taste better!
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