It's Not So Easy Being Green.....In Winter.

The middle of winter.  I spend much of my time cooking yummy soups, and pasta dishes, experimenting with fun new recipes, and sipping the occasional hot cocoa with a sprinkle of chili or cinnamon.  Though I like feeling warm and cozy inside, I miss the days where I can just hop outside, pull some weeds, and gather fresh herbs and veggies from my yard.  In anticipation of springtime, I have decided to gather some green dishes together.

In the last days of October, just before the first freeze, I go outside and gather all of my tomatoes that are left on my plants.  This activity always signifies the end of a season.  Some of the tomatoes are red, while a lot of them are still green. 

I bring bowls of them inside and instead of waiting for them to ripen this year, I decide to pickle them.  My mouth begins to water at the very thought of the salt and vinegar taste.  They are perfect as a snack or as an accompaniment to that perfect sandwich.

I cut the tomatoes in half or quarters, add fresh herbs, garlic cloves, whole peppercorns, white vinegar and water.  

Cream of asparagus soup....a perfect winter dinner.  I use both green and white asparagus, dried thyme, onion, garlic, chicken stock, and heavy cream.  First, I saute the vegetables until brown, add the chicken stock and some cream.  I then use my immersion blender to puree, and add the rest of the cream,  Simmer until ready to eat.  I serve with grilled or toasted bread drizzled with olive oil and a glass of white wine.

Pesto!  I make batches of pesto at the end of the season and freeze it.  It is a perfect way to get the freshness of spring during the cold winter months.  I like to use pistachios instead of walnuts or pine nuts.  They add a creaminess and sweet, nutty flavor to the sauce.

Zucchini is one of my favorite summer veggies, but I try to use it often in the winter too.  I like to saute it with garlic and fresh tomato, and serve it either as a side dish or as a pasta sauce.  It is also tasty sauteed with garlic, a little onion, and tossed with warm pasta and fresh ricotta cheese.

As long as the weather is not too harsh, and the snow stays away, I can often harvest some lettuce leaves well into the winter months.  This is one of my favorite things to grow, so it is nice to be able to go outside and pick some in the wintertime.