I left the allotment today with an overwhelming feeling of smugness. No, I hadn’t outdone one of the old boys or found my favorite fork, which has been “missing” for some time, but I left holding a bag containing a nice box of eggs and 3 courgettes. I had also obliterated what appeared to be 95% of the worlds population of red mite that had taken to calling the chicken coop home, much to the horror of my girls. It appears that I’m easily pleased.The courgette plants, which once lay beneath the sweet peas – now dead and removed, have grown rather stately. They all look particularly strong and are encroaching on my path in a bid to engulf the whole of the plot. One bed is not sufficient, or so it appears. Not content with plans of world domination and just looking beautiful, these plants are also starting to crop well. The forerunners so far are ‘Taxi’, ‘Black Beauty’ and a new plant I’m trialing ‘Italian White’ (pictured above). The latter, I think is pretty beautiful and is certainly holding its own against the seasoned pros.
What with harvesting three courgettes today, naturally my mind is turning, somewhat prematurely, to that wondrous time of year in the gardeners’ calendar, which has so far eluded me – the glut! I did say premature, you remember? Already there are small undeveloped fruits waiting in the wings and I can’t wait. Courgette cake, spiced chutney, roast courgette … the list goes on and on. Other recipes are welcomed of course!
