October 2018 Issue #158

Hello,

What fun that we both love gardening. Thanks for joining me.

1) Healthy Halloween
2) Eco gardening tips
3) Vegetable Mix Cheese

Do you think that whoever received these might be grateful that you were trying to give them something healthy for a change on Halloween?

No, I didn't think so either.

Eco gardening tips

• Peps or pumps?
  Sorry, trying to sound cool.😊 Actually pepitas are not a cool name for normal pumpkin seeds. Normal pumpkins are mostly grown for their flesh, but you can dry and eat the seeds, even the hard outer shell if you like, especially if they are roasted.

  On the other hand pepitas are the seeds from hulless pumpkins, a winter squash with names such as Halloween, oil seed or Styrian pumpkins. The flesh is not particularly sweet or edible, but the seeds... yum. The green seeds are oval and flat with a papery outer skin (instead of a hull) that can easily be rubbed off. Very tasty, healthy and mostly what you find in the shops.

  On No dig Vegetable Garden's FACEBOOK there's an interesting short video of a pepitas harvesting machine—watch it spit out the waste!




• Bad balloons banned
  With the banning of bad things such as plastic bags, straws, disposable cups etc, guess what? … poor old balloons have come under fire, even though they're mostly made from natural rubber or latex. But here's a solution; make and throw seed bombs. For a children's party, gather the ingredients and get stuck in. Then go for a walk and heave ho — what fun! See seed bombs for ideas.




• Pots like new
  Got old faded terracotta pots? Buy some spray paint, and if you like the original terracotta, buy cinnamon color and your pots will look brand new. It's quite miraculous what a make-over can do!

Discover your perfect gift for a garden lover.

As well as unique garden and home ideas, have a look at these beautiful (and budget-friendly) crafts to celebrate nature.

CLICK HERE

Vegetable Mix Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 cups cauliflower florets (substitute with other veg if liked)
• 8 Brussels sprouts halved (substitute with other veg if liked)
• 1 cup sliced red cabbage (substitute with other veg if liked)
• 4 eggs
• 1 Tbln mustard powder (can also use prepared mustard/whole grain mustard)
• 2 Tblns coconut flour
• 2 Tbln buckwheat flour, which is gluten free, but can use any flour for thickening, eg: rice, wheat
• 1 Tbln coconut oil, olive oil, butter, or oil of your choice
• 1-2 cups water approximately
• 1 cup tasty grated cheese
• Salt and plenty of pepper to taste.

Method

1. Boil eggs until nearly hard-boiled (cover with cold water in small pot, lid on, bring to boil, turn off, leave for 3 mins, then quickly rinse in cold water until cooled). Peel and halve.

2. Put veggies in medium pot with enough water to steam for 3-5 minutes until still slightly firm. Stir in oil, flours, mustard, seasoning, then add enough water to make it a thick sauce consistency.

3. Gently cook for a minute or two, then stir in half of grated cheese.

4. Carefully fold eggs into mixture, then sprinkle remainder of grated cheese on top and put under grill to melt.

Prep and cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2 people

Live, love and garden.
Megan