32 years ago, we bought a house on an acre of land in the city of Fremont in the SF Bay Area. My mother, then 60, was living with me. Pointing at the side of the house which had perfect sun exposure, my mother asked if she could have that part of the land all to herself, to make a little farm (40’x40′).
We had gardeners come to prepare the land for her farming. My mother was right there with them and dug the furrows herself. You name it, she planted; vegetables, herbs and fruits such as strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, melons, etc. She knew exactly how to protect the plants from predators too. I was astonished and did not know this side of my mother, who had lived a privileged life.
In the beginning, we all wondered where this was going. Eventually, all of us, grandchildren included, were helping her harvest. Not only did we benefit from fresh vegetables and fruits each day, but she also made jams and pickles from the produce.
Not my Mom’s farm… just to give the idea
In 1980, med-flies were detected in several counties, spanning a wide portion of the California State. Further north in California, the agriculture industry was again engaged in a major struggle with the formidable pest. Hundreds of med-flies were discovered over a wide range of territory. The discoveries resulted in officials quarantining the region. Eradication efforts were greatly expanded in response to the crisis.
female medfly
California officials responded by initiating massive efforts to strip and destroy fruits and vegetables in affected areas. The industry began to show signs of severe panic as this could be the beginning of a chain reaction in which foreign governments might impose severe trade restrictions on California’s produce. The CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture) finally announced that it was seriously considering implementation of an aerial spraying program over much of the quarantined area. This announcement met with staunch opposition from several city governments in the affected areas, as well as increased public interest group pressure. The spraying did happen.
Also, as a further action, each household received an ‘Offical Notice’ to uproot all food-producing shrubs, and pick all fruit from trees and to put it in thick trash bags (I think the bags were provided), for a special pick-up.
Could not find one for Alameda County
My mother was quite upset! Plants/products of her farm were like her babies. She could not uproot many months of her labor of love. The watermelons, cantaloupes, melons, cucumbers, squashes, were all still no bigger than size of a walnut. Extremely disappointed, my mother decided that she did not need our help and would take care of the issue herself.
Next day, returning from work, I noticed many filled trash bags at the curb. I knew I had to cheer-up my Mom. As the garage opened and I parked my car, I noticed that an entire pantry shelf in the garage was covered with large bottles of newly pickled vegetables! All marked by content, in brine or in vinegar. Hmmm
Unlike what I thought, my mother was in a good mood and busy cooking our dinner. She looked at me with a big smile and said, “Did you see my pickles? We have pickles for the entire year!”
I did not know that while they are just budding, baby watermelon, cantaloupes, melons, and squash are just like cucumbers. And yes, they can be pickled. We had delicious pickles for an entire year!
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- baby melon
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- baby Persian cucumber
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- baby zucchini
Click on the photos ↓ for recipes:
Torshi – Sour Persian Mixed Vegetable Pickles
Khiyar Shour / Cucumber & Mixed Vegetable Pickles in Brine
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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سلام. یه سوالی داشتم. شما دستوراتون رو در قالب پی دی اف برای دانلود تو سایتتون دارین؟ اه من دلم میخواست همشو داشته باشم. ولی بلد نیستم.
مرسی
Salam, Elham jan, Man Farsi’am kheili khub nist, vali sai’e khodam ra mikonam. In site hamishe khahand bud va shoma lazem nist hamechi’ra copy konid. Har recipe ra ke mikhahid ra dar Recipe & Etc peida konid. Vali agar mikhahid recipe‘ra dar dastres’etan dashte’bashid, mitavanid print konid (dar dast’e rast’e recipe alamat sabz’e ‘Print‘ ra mibinid). Man nemidanam chejuri mitavanid download be PDF bekonid. Vali mitavanid copy/paste be Word document bekonid. Omidvaram ke komaki shodeh basham. 🙂
Wonderful story, Fae! Isn’t it amazing how resourceful we can be when circumstances are forced upon us? Just today I made stuffed squash blossoms, because my neighbor’s marauding bamboo has found its way into the squash bed, and I had to greatly trim the plants so I could remove the bamboo. All those blossoms weren’t going to be wasted, I said to myself!
I’m so glad I’ve found you. Your blog is truly one of a kind. I can’t wait to browse around some more. Hopefully you don’t mind having another follower lurking around! 🙂
– You are absolutely right. All that work to go to waste? The feeling is mutual, I’m so glad that you left your avatar for me to follow to your blog!
– Speaking of stuffed squash blossoms, it reminded me of a recent post I have seen Supplì di Fiore di Zucca: Experimenting with Blossoms and Rice and All Things Nice. I love to see what you have stuffed your blossoms with! Anticipation… 😛
I knew when I started reading your mother would outsmart them. Wonderful story.
Thank you, Maria. Yes, she wasn’t going to let her labor of love go to waste. 😀 )))
Thank you for visiting my blog. Fae.
I am so far behind,I almost missed this! What a delightful story! I hope 2013 brings continued joy , happiness and health to you and yours,Fae!
Thank you, Tonette. I wish you and your family Happiness and Health for 2013. Happy New Year!
Amazing!
What an awesome mom, Fae; and so inspiring. Thanks for sharing this story — it warmed my heart =) Hugs, Christina
Thank you, Cristina! 😀
I love your story!! Brings a big smile, and woderfull memories from my own Grandma!!
Happy holidays.
How lovely to reminisce fond memories of your Grandma, by reading this story. 😀
Lovely post, Miss Fae !
Moms are all alike! Mine won’t waste anything either 🙂
Hi Radhika, It is true! Especially not what they worked so hard to obtain. 😀
What an absolutely delightful true story! Happy Holidays to you Fae!
Happy Holidays to you and yours, dear Cindy. I am so happy to have met you. Meeting quality people like you was the highlight of my year. 😀 Fae.
You always write so beautifully!
Thank you, Johnny! 😀 Fae.
Fae, your mom is beautiful. I never knew any of this happened. How disheartening.
I love your story and the wonderful ending!! Perfect pickles!!
Thank you, Judy. She truly was a lovely and very talented lady (my father use to call her “Lady”). 😀 Her three daughters, three combined, do not have half of her talent/skills/patience. 🙁 Although, we are still trying! 😉
OH I never heard of this… HOW SMART!!! Your mom is a genius I will remember this story while working my own garden!!! Thank You!
Thank you, Jasmine, for the kind words. I wonder what you are growing in your garden! I live in an apartment and travel quite a bit. I have to start an herb garden at least. Hmmm 😀
Love that she was looking on the bright side and being so positive!
That she was! 😀