Feasting from the Garden

August 16, 2012 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Our peas are cropping heavily, and the broccoli heads are perfectly formed and bug-free. Such are the joys of a mild Sydney winter!

For those who are interested in plant varieties, this is our second year growing Willow/Sommerwood peas, and they’ve been brilliant – mildew-resistant and producing long fat pods with up to ten peas in each. The broccoli this year is called Green Dragon, and it’s the best heading variety we’ve ever grown.

I shelled all the peas, eating a few along the way (as one does)…

…and we made pasta primavera, with perennial leeks, broccoli and peas cooked with pancetta and Pepe Saya butter, then finished with chopped sorrel and mint leaves. Bliss!

Posted in Frugal Living | 78 Comments

78 Responses

on August 16, 2012 at 12:21 am Glenda

Welcome back Celia. Love your garden produce.
- on August 16, 2012 at 7:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Glenda! Lots to catch up on! It was a lovely few weeks with Dan and her family though.. x
on August 16, 2012 at 12:45 am heidiannie

Mmm! Does this ever look good!
I’ve got to go get some lunch- right now! :)
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Heidi! I’m going out to harvest more for dinner tonight! :)
on August 16, 2012 at 2:46 am niasunset

WOW! This is what I like… Thank you dear celia, seems so nice and so delicious… Love, nia
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Nia! After three years, we now grow all the stuff we like to eat! Peas, beans, broccoli, leeks, but no radishes! No-one will go near them except me! :)
on August 16, 2012 at 2:57 am Abby

Delicious!! And, I’d imagine, even better because it’s from your very own garden!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Abby, we’re getting spoilt, it’s hard these days to eat bought veg! ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 3:41 am Norma Chang

That’s one delicious looking pasta dish. From the garden to the pot to the table, cannot get any fresher or tastier.
Wonderful that your garden is producing so abundantly for you.
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Norma, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to grow enough quantity or variety to completely self-sufficient, but we’re getting there with greens. We now have daily lettuce, the sweetheart cabbages are nearly ready, and we’re just putting bean seeds into the seedling pots now. This warm winter has really given us fabulous growing conditions!
on August 16, 2012 at 4:24 am ChgoJohn

I don’t know who did it first but whoever thought to combine peas and pasta deserves some sort of medal. The two work so well together and your dish here is all the proof needed to make the point. Primavera is right!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  John, you might remember that pasta and peas was the very first dish Mrs M brought over to us. It’s absolutely brilliant – she used spring onions and broken spaghetti with hers, and lots of cheese! ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 5:11 am theclevercarrot

Isn’t it such a pleasure to eat a meal from your very own backyard? The veggies look lovely :)
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Emilie, it’s such a joy! Even though it’s been a few years, I still get so excited by it!
on August 16, 2012 at 6:49 am Lizzy (Good Things)

How enjoyable! I can’t wait for some warm weather, Celia.
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Hope you get some soon, Lizzy! xx
on August 16, 2012 at 7:04 am hotlyspiced

Pasta primavera! One of my most favourite pastas or risottos. I love all the vibrant greens. I wish I could do my fruit and veggie shopping in your backyard! xx
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Charlie, I wish I could grow that much! At least we’re doing better with the peas than with the lemons.. ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 7:52 am Roz MacAllan

We are enjoying broccoli soup at the moment, just love the hand blender in winter!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Roz, yum! I must try that next!
on August 16, 2012 at 8:04 am lambsearsandhoney

Yum – great looking dinner. And I admire your restraint Celia – if I was shelling peas I doubt there would be many left to cook.
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Amanda, you know me too well. Pete kept calling out, “stop eating them!!” ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 9:01 am Rose

There is nothing like fresh peas. I have my Green Harvest catalog packed for lunch time reading!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Rose, we’re really chuffed with this variety – it’s grown much better than Greenfeast or any of the previous ones we’ve tried. Hope you can find some!
on August 16, 2012 at 9:04 am Linda Maree

Absolutely nothing better than a garden feast!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Linda, it’s good for everything – stomach, soul and wallet! ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 9:25 am Jane @ Shady Baker

Beautiful Celia…this all looks so good!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Jane! I’m chuffed you think so – your garden is always so glorious!
on August 16, 2012 at 9:40 am elizabeth / dig in

I have just dropped to the floor with envy. Peas at this time of the year! Down here in Tassie, peas are strictly a summer crop and my little plants are barely two inches high! I adore fresh, real peas, and i adore a ‘green pasta’ like this. delicious.
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Don’t be jealous, you can grow raspberries down there! :) Peas are a winter crop here in Sydney, isn’t it funny how different the climate is? We grow beans in summer.
on August 16, 2012 at 11:22 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

Celia your produce looks amazing! I’m with Charlie.. can we shop in your backyard?

This is the 3rd mention of Pepe Saya butter in the last 24 hours. I thin I’m going to have to buy some!
- on August 17, 2012 at 11:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Claire, you would love the Pepe Saya butter, I hope you track some down!
on August 16, 2012 at 11:55 am jkshed

I’m envious of that Brocolli. I’ll look out for that variety. I managed to harvest four little pea pods this morning but my potatoes are great!
- on August 17, 2012 at 12:01 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jo, we’re really pleased with this variety of broccoli. We must try and remember to save some seed from it! :)
on August 16, 2012 at 12:01 pm ChopinandMysaucepan

Dear Celia,

I love peas and especially so when they have the ability to make food look like it’s from the 1970s.
- on August 17, 2012 at 12:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Hehehe…there is something very 1970s about peas. Wish they grew later in the year, so I could have them with homemade potato mash, just to complete the picture. :)
on August 16, 2012 at 12:36 pm Jason Dingley

So jealous about the peas.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:43 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Don’t be jealous, you’re harvesting heaps more than we usually do! :)
on August 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm Miss Piggy

I wonder if it’s possbile to grow Broccoli in pots…on my (very super sunny) balcony. And I’d totally planting peas soon….yummy.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:43 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’ve never tried Mel, but I did grow a very edible broccoflower (broc-cauli hybrid) in a crack between the bricks.. ;-)
on August 16, 2012 at 5:03 pm InTolerant Chef

So yummy looking Celia! I just picked a gorgeous wombok from the veggie patch but that’s about all there its here at the moment. I never have much luck with peas, but no problem at all with beans. Maybe I need a produce swap with someone?
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, I wonder if it’s the variety – we didn’t have luck until we got the Willow/Somerset – all the previous ones were struck down with powdery mildew. Let me know if you want me to send you some seed to try!
on August 16, 2012 at 5:17 pm marilynscottwaters

Green peas are my favorite veg on the planet. Those are totally crave worthy. We do ours mashed with butter and mint.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:45 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maz, I adore them too. They’re growing near the carport, and every time I get out of the car, I eat a couple of pods’ worth..
on August 16, 2012 at 5:25 pm Tesney Ap

Wow all those came from your garden :) Ahhh I’m so jealous :)
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:47 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Don’t be jealous, I wish I could share with you all!
on August 16, 2012 at 6:58 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

Is there ANYTHING in the garden better than fresh peas? I could spend a whole morning standing there eating raw fresh peas. Two for me and 1 for the chooks to fight over. I’m so jealous.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maureen, they’re so delicious raw, but even better just with a few seconds in boiling water – I think it does something wonderful to all the sugars in them!
on August 16, 2012 at 7:21 pm thecompletecookbook

What a heavenly meal Celia! I love the combination of sorrel and mint – what a taste explosion this must have been!
:-) Mandy
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Mandy, thank you – that was Pete’s idea, and it was brilliant, made the whole dish zing! Having said that, the sorrel was surprisingly subtle in the dish!
on August 16, 2012 at 10:13 pm Melanie

Definitely a feast! Nothing compares to fresh produce from your own garden. That dish looks wonderful, I’ll bet it was gobbled up in no time.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Melanie, it was all gone in a flash! :)
on August 16, 2012 at 10:36 pm My Kitchen Stories

Oh dear those peas ….so sweet and so delicious. Really I am absolutely addicted to peas.
http://www.mykitchenstories.com.au
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Oh shoot, I’m just reading this now, or I’d have brought you more peas today!
on August 17, 2012 at 12:50 am Tandy

Bliss indeed!
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  xxx
on August 17, 2012 at 1:04 am drfugawe

I’m very close to the belief that the winter garden is potentially more productive, and more valuable, than is the summer garden. Maybe it’ll take another year or two, but I think I’ll get there.

I love raw peas, and I often use them in salads – and tossed into cooked dishes at the last minute.
- on August 17, 2012 at 5:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Doc, the thing with peas is that often you have to pod SO many to get a quantity worth eating! Having said that though, they’re definitely worth the work. I agree with you re the winter garden, at least here in Sydney!
on August 17, 2012 at 7:31 am Mrs Mulberry

How wonderful to be able to create a beautiful meal straight from your garden! Delicious recipe and lovely post Celia!!
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:06 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! It’s great to be able to eat like this!
on August 17, 2012 at 9:11 am teawithhazel

what a delicious array of home grown vegetables celia..i’ve tried growing peas so many times and i’ve never really had much success..but my broccoli is looking very healthy..it’s the same variety as yours..x
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:07 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, isn’t the Green Dragon broccoli great? We’re going to have to try and save some seeds from it. Do try the Somerset peas if you can get your hands on them – we didn’t have any luck with peas before them.
on August 17, 2012 at 1:25 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

green goodies Celia!
There is something quite calming about shelling peas.
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:07 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Brydie, it’s very therapeutic. :)
on August 17, 2012 at 2:02 pm alison@thisbloominglife

Satisfying in every way! I’m green with envy…
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:09 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Your veggie patch is staked out Alison, won’t be long now!
on August 17, 2012 at 2:34 pm Carmen

Celia, your winter harvest looks wonderful. After hearing a discussion on the radio about Super Foods there was a mention that broccoli is often sprayed up to three times for pests in a growing season….scary stuff. At least you can rest assured that your vegies have come from a good place.
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Carmen, that’s good to know. We never spray anything! I saw broccoli on sale at the fruit shop today for $9/kg!!
on August 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

That looks fantastic! In Finland, they eat the peas straight from the pod as they’re so sweet and juicy. Can you do it with these? :)
- on August 17, 2012 at 6:21 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Yep! Pete kept to telling me to stop! :)
on August 17, 2012 at 9:03 pm Christine (FoodWineTravel)

Celia, Your pasta dish sounds delicious and I love your fresh produce from the garden. It’s amazing to see how much further along everything is in Sydney! We have lots of baby cauliflowers that are beautifully bug-free (touch wood) but they’re still a long way off being ready.
- on August 17, 2012 at 9:09 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Chris, it’s interesting, isn’t it, especially since we’re only a couple of hours away! But I think it’s that Canberra is more inland than we are…
on August 18, 2012 at 8:53 am EllaDee

I could do a one word comment: Yum :) So it’s not just no bugs here? I marvel at the current bug free environment, the plants on our balcony actually have leaves. Success is all about perspective I think ;)
- on August 18, 2012 at 8:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I reckon they’re lying in wait for spring to hit next month.. ;-)
  - on August 18, 2012 at 8:57 am EllaDee
    
    I suspect it too. I’ve culitvated lots of juicy geranium leaves for them. I guess I may as well feed something ;)
on August 19, 2012 at 12:04 am Sophie33

Welcome back, celia! We missed your outstanding posts! :) Isn’t it great, garden produce? The veggies look amazing & that dinner looks awesome too!
- on August 19, 2012 at 12:18 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sophie, you are always so kind, thank you! I missed you guys!
on August 21, 2012 at 4:03 am Kitchen Butterfly

Arent gardens so full of treasure? I’m beginning to enjoy the fruits of my herb one. Lots of love