Sweet, Spicy and Sizzle

My garden Sweet Basil

My garden Sage

 

Sweet, Spicy and Sizzle

by Zen Gardener John

My modest garden from last summer has expanded from a meager collection of simple singular tomato, cucumber, and bell pepper plants.  This spring/summer my garden includes 3 solid tomato plant varieties, multiple sweet basils, cilantro, chives, oregano, sage, cucumbers zucchinis, snap peas, lima beans, soybeans, carrots, radishes, kale, dill, onions, and potatoes.

Most impressively is the fact that I am also now growing 12 varieties of peppers!  That list includes sweet green and orange bell peppers, jalapenos, red, orange, and yellow habaneros, cayenne, Extreme Inferno, Trinidad scorpion, Devil's tongue, Devil's brain, and Carolina reapers. My experience from last summer did teach me that some peppers actually do ward off critters like the deer, squirrels, and raccoons that wander through my yard.  This year, those pests will really be challenged as I have gone over the edge a bit with my peppers - for the entertainment and culinary value of the peppers themselves.

I cannot wait to host an event in which I spread a little homegrown pepper sauce that goes from mild to hot, to tongue and thought disrupting, sizzle!  The love of hot sauce runs in my family.  But, I do not think many of them went past a jalapeno or cayenne.  The scorpions and reapers will be the Mount Everest of hot pepper challenge for most people.  I welcome any of my readers here to donate any recipe that they like to share with me and others here.

Nothing like having a peaceful, Zen-like moment in my garden, and having it disrupted by human screams for milk, orange juice, or a fire extinguisher. 😄

In addition, my events will also include a modest habanero or jalapeno margarita to wind down the community moment. I'm pretty sure that I can do this with and without alcohol.  Feel free to suggest any readings that might accompany these warm community events.