REAPING THE HARVEST I
LOOK OUT MY WINDOW and watch my maple and oak tree-lined street turn yellow and gold; my hands clutch a warm mug of tea and my house smells of cinnamon and spice. I sigh, I know the coatless days are soon to be replaced by lightweight jackets, and then followed by winter gear.
For now, I relish this time of year when you wake up to crisp, cool mornings, enjoy a moderately warm day, and hunker down in the chilly evenings. I confess that I really do adore this time year; it doesn't have as much to do with the weather as it does with the
change in my cooking. I visit the grill less often and spend more time making the "stick to yer ribs" — a.k.a. comfort — food. I especially enjoy foods made from our own local produce. Unfortunately as the delightful warm days of summer come to end, so does much of Montana's short growing season. I'd love to be reaping the benefits of my own garden, but I have a black thumb and rarely do I have anything left alive in my poor garden by fall. So, in my effort to buy local I seek the advice of Amy Grisak, President of River City Harvest. Amy tells me: "Some of our best fall veggies are winter squash (like acorn, delicata, hubbard, spaghetti), onions (Copra store the best), carrots, beets, turnips, rutabaga, po- tatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Autumn is a great time to enjoy a second round of the spring vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are all tastier in the fall with fewer pest problems. Kale, chard, and spinach also make a comeback."
Taking Amy's advice, I made a hearty and comforting bison soup to celebrate the fall harvest. Fall for me is also all about pumpkins and apples. What better way to celebrate these classic foods than with a pumpkin applesauce? It's heavenly and makes great baby food too!
RIVER CITY HARVEST is an
organization that has brought garden- ing and gardening education to the Great Falls community by setting up multiple community garden beds, including greenhouse gardening, herb gardening, and special raised beds for the handicapped. They also garden for charitable organizations, such as the Food Bank and the Salvation Army. If you'd like to know more about
RCH you can visit their site at www. rivercityharvest.com or contact them by email: rivercityharvest@yahoo.com or phone: 406-750-1700.
Article and Photos by Rhonda Adkins
DISTINCTLY MONTANA
Gal
FALL | 2012 15
