If the Jigsaw Fits...

...wear it. Or live it in this case. April was a very interesting month. A few more pieces of the puzzle added, or, more content for this ever growing story I'm writing here. In a some ways, a jigsaw puzzle and a story have a lot in common, especially if you allow the story to write itself. The trip to Asheville, NC opened up a lot avenues for exploration. I had no idea of the extent of the local food economy in Appalachia.I also didn't realize how extensive and respected heritage foods are in Appalachia. For what I write about, this offers a lot to explore.

I discovered a really cool place, Asheville, NC. I would go back again in a heartbeat. When I travel, I like to go some place new all the time. There's so much to see on earth that I want to see as much as I can. It's very rare I go back to the same place twice. Asheville though will see me again and again.

As I wrote in the last post, I found a resource for developing a food product using heirloom and threatened varieties. A few other opportunities presented themselves, and as they progress, I will write about them.

Before I left, I wrote about how Thoreau will be a major influence and an inspiration for what I do with my blog. This piece of the puzzle will be very helpful as I get more involved with the food movement. I will become an Italian citizen by the end of the year, which will allow for greater integration and research into potential vanishing heirloom varieties around the world. It also offers a great networking opportunity with the international food movement.

My book will launch May13, 2012, provided I can get my new online bank account verified. I'm using a small bank and it's process is a bit slow. If not, than shortly after that date.

And, saving the best for last, my garden this year is coming along very well. The Purple Majesity potatoes are in the ground, kissed by frost one night. When I went to buy composted manure, I found Red Sails lettuce plants, which are a good source of Vitiams A & K, and Cheddar Cheese cauliflower, which has beta carotene in it to give it the color of orange cheddar cheese, which is not the natural color of cheedar cheese. I'll leave it at that.

Tuscan Kale, Sorrento Broccoli Rabe, and Rapini Brocolli Rabe are direct sown, as is the Flat Red Onion of Italy. Jing Orange Okra went int he ground along with Bisiagno #2 tomatoes. Not to mention some Romanesco Brocolli, which I think would be better as a fall crop, some lavender, marigolds and sunflowers are planted as well. Lots of zinnias also. I want a feast for the pollinators too.

The Three Sisters joined the party in the form of Purple Morado Corn, Devil's Tongue Beans, and White Scallop Squash.

I have two 4 foot shelves of various tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, and peppers on deck. This will provide a lot content to write about, including a cookbook. As I harvest the varieties, I'll whip something up with them, and put the recipes together as a cookbook that will available by the end of the year.

So there you have it. Pieces of the puzzle, or stories or chapters yet to happen, either or or fit together to create final piece.

Update: A bunny got in the garden, and no more Roamansco Broccoli until the fall. One Cheddar Cheese cauliflower plant is stripped, and the wind has been taken out of the Red Sails lettuce for now. The fence has been secured for now. Last year the bunny that hung out in my garden would laugh at me when it saw me. It never left when I would arrive. So perhaps he or she is back.