How many zucchini does one family of 2 persons need, one might ask? Certainly, I should have given this a bit more consideration before eagerly raising 12 plants from seeds. I nurtured, watched and obsessed over these seedlings until I was confident they were on their way to teenage zucchini, at which point, I transferred them from their little pots into the soil which would become their breeding grounds, so to speak, to become adult zucchini. I just didn't have the heart to kill them off. I conceded by giving 4 away to good homes  - which yes, left us with 8 plants.

​I forgot how large and enthusiastic these plants are - beautiful yellow-orange flowers and HUGE leaves that tend to overshadow anybody near them. Bet you didn't know that you can even eat the leaves - when they are smaller, apparently. Most people (or anyone with Italian origins) knows that the flowers are also a delicacy to consume. But sorry no recipes this time for those - just the fruit themselves. And yes, zucchini actually are fruit. 

The harvest has begun and within the last several weeks, we have enjoyed creamy zucchini potato soup, zucchini fritters, baked miniature zucchini frittatas, breaded zucchini sticks, zucchini muffins and cakes, stuffed zucchini, zucchini relish and a Greek zucchini pie called - wait for it - and do pronounce it phonetically - Kolokithopita .

Thought I would share some of these recipes and results for any who care. I mean, zucchini, really?? I personally hold this vegetable in very high esteem for its ability to blend in, absorb flavor, add moisture to and just generally be delicious. Not to ignore also the health benefits it brings to our various organs. According to Anthony Williams, zucchini is a highly alkaline food, easy to digest and  helpful for liver hydration. The fruit  provides a mild purging effect on the liver and both the intestinal tract and the gallbladder can be supported by this squash-like fruit - the phytochemicals in it reduce inflammation in the gallbladder and help push out bacteria and fungus in the intestines, so that nutrients can be better absorb and sent up to the liver. Who knew?

So think of this the next time you come across this green beauty in its many different forms.

I never thought I would end up living and creating a farm for my husband and myself when I met him, some 15 years ago. At the time, I was completing my studies on Holistic Nutrition and Community Counselling, and I was living in downtown Vancouver, working in the very busy and hectic corporate world. My how life delivers different opportunities if we are receptive to the cues.  Here I am in 2020, having left all of the above behind to move to Powell River in early 2019 with my husband and elderly mother-inlaw - living on a rambling, green, wild and beautiful 2.4 acres of land - all in the midst of a pandemic. Who knew?

But now a whole year and a half later, since our arrival to Powell River and two houses built (mostly by my husband) summer is here (I think) and our next adventure has us firmly in its grasp. The great outdoors beckons. We have this rolling green canvas in front of us to create vegetable and flower gardens, install a greenhouse and a water collection system. Sounds like another adventure to me. What better opportunity for me, a self-proclaimed foodie, cook and nutritionist then to learn how to grow my own food!

It all started out a few months back (about the time the Pandemic did) when my brilliant husband starting stalking local businesses (kidding) to help them with their excess wooden pallets. Always willing to give a hand, he has transported many wooden pallets home where he has reconfigured them in to wooden raised beds and the foundation for a greenhouse for our next project - growing vegetables!​

Here's a few shots of our burgeoning crops - looking pretty green and luscious right now... stay posted for new recipes as we eat our way through this adventure. 

​And, by the way, the fawn in the picture above was born on our property a few weeks ago. A special treat to come across it nestled in the green grass by our pond. Kind of like a sign - new life for all of us. 

​This is a delicious and easy recipe - perfect for a hot summer evening's meal -- or just as tasty at any other time of the year when perhaps one might wish you were in Hawaii enjoying this dish! Hawaiian Lime Chicken Thighs is a must try recipe!