As for the coyote, he was nothing like his cartoon icon. He was sleek, fast, healthy and apparently without an anvil or Acme product of any kind.
We see coyotes often. Sometimes they are scruffy, thin and poor. Sometimes fat and sleek. I’m sure it depends on time of year, and balance in the ecosystem.
This dog came to help me bushhog one of our fields. Coyotes are smart – like the huge red-tailed hawk that followed me. They know that rabbits, field mice and birds have to move out of the way when the tractor comes through. So they follow me. They know I will disturb turkey, baby deer and other things.
I enjoyed watching this coyote. He reminded me of Diamond. He hung out, unafraid, and watched me. He smiled. He scratched. He shook his ears.
If you are like me you have great plans. I have such a bounty of garden produce right now. So I think – what tonight?….purple potato gnocchi with basil cream sauce and savoy caesar salad with homemade croutons. Cold cucumber soup and broccoli frittata. But alas – it is 7:30 and I’m writing my blog so – grilled cheese?
There are quick, delicious, meals with fresh produce. Actually – tonight I’m having vegetable soup ( and maybe grilled cheese shhhhhh) I sauteed onion, cutting celery and garlic in a little oil. Added carrots, green beans, potatoes. All from the garden. 2 small cans diced tomatoes which I crushed with the back of a large spoon. Then I added water, salt and when it gets close to done, I will add thinly sliced summer squash. I put it in the oven at 250 degrees while I was digging potatoes in the garden.
Another quick dish – a friend told me they make kitchen sink pasta. They roast their CSA veggies. First coat the veggies in olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast until delicious. Boil pasta al dente. Toss veggies with pasta, add parmesan ( or any flavorful cheese). This is a one dish meal – which I love.
Potato salad, hash brown casserole, vichyssoise? Plenty of recipes online.
What’s in the bucket? Carrots, savoy cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, onions, purple potatoes, white potatoes, dill.
As for the cucumbers – quick refrigerator pickles? Cucumber salad with feta, and onions (tomatoes if you have them) I even saw a recipe for cooked creamed cucumber….Jury is out on that! How about a salad using that savoy cabbage and cucumber?
Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad
Easy Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad is loaded with fresh green cabbage, crisp cucumbers and fresh herbs. It’s the perfect side dish for potlucks, parties and barbecue. Made with sunflower oil and vinegar, inexpensive and may just become your new favorite side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 medium green cabbage (2 lbs – shredded)
- 3 medium cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber)
- 4–5 green onions
- 1 bunch fresh dill about 2 tablespoons chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fine salt – or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper – or to taste
Instructions
-
In a small measuring cup, combine and stir sunflower oil, distilled white vinegar, fine salt and pepper. Set aside for salt to dissolve.
-
Wash all vegetables & paper towel pat dry.
-
Discard soft outer leaves of cabbage and thinly slice onto a mandolin slicer or using a sharp knife. Discard or eat the core. Transfer shredded cabbage to a large mixing bowl. You can use a knife but it is easiest to achieve the fine/thin strips of cabbage with a mandolin. Also, anytime you use a mandolin, protect your hands with these safety gloves.
-
Thinly slice halved cucumbers. (Slicing cucumbers with mandolin slicer takes seconds).
-
Finely chop green onions and fresh dill.
-
Drizzle salad dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
-
Serve right away or refrigerate for couple hours for cabbage to soften before serving. Cabbage cucumber salad will stay nice and fresh for 2-3 days in refrigerator.