Courgettes and other things!

Today I picked the first courgettes. I had so much good advice about blossom end rot and other problems, and since I have sunk plastic bottles with the bottoms cut off upside down next to each plant and watered them through the plastic bottle I haven’t had any damping off problems. Of course this could be because we’ve had sun and much warmer weather! But then I’ve been watering them every day so if there was going to be a problem with watering then it would have showed up. There are only the two of us so these will be sufficient to add to the meal tonight. They were picked from the first plant which is that much more forward than the others which I grew from seed. I have five plants in all and if they do well we may have more than we know what to do with! There are already more coming!

Courgettes Au Gratin

Halve the courgettes and fry lightly in butter. Put to one side. Cut 4 slices of back bacon into small pieces, chop one onion and fry together until bacon is crisp. Arrange courgettes, onion, bacon and four sliced tomatoes onto a serving dish. Sprinkle over four tablespoons of breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon (french is best), four tablespoons grated cheese and season with salt and pepper. Place under a hot grill until cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve and enjoy! It is delicious!

These past few days have been a mixture of sun, cloud and rain. It has obviously been good for the garden as things are really perking up. This glorious begonia decided to show it’s face as did the marigold. I am not a great fan of marigolds (well unless they are the old English variety) but this looks well with the dark blue of the lobelia.