Transforming Your Garden’s Bounty: Fall Recipes and Giving Back

As the leaves turn and the nights grow cooler, it’s that delightful time of year when our gardens are overflowing with produce. While some folks are reaping the benefits of their hard work, many are left staring at heaps of kale, wormy apples, and unharvested potatoes. But fear not, fellow gardeners! There are numerous ways to deal with this garden surplus, whether by sharing, preserving, or donating.

Autumn’s vibrant harvest makes for a busy kitchen.

Share the Bounty

The beauty of urban gardening is not just in the fruits and veggies we grow, but also in the community we can foster through sharing. With over 52,000 edible fruit trees in Edmonton alone, many gardeners find themselves with far more produce than they can consume. Dwarf varieties of apple and pear trees, for example, can yield more than 150 pounds of fruit annually!

If you find yourself with an abundance, consider donating excess to local organizations. One excellent option is the Edmonton Food Bank, which accepts donations of fresh produce ranging from root vegetables to tomatoes. As Doug Thompson from the Food Bank states, > “Garden-fresh produce simply tastes better, and we appreciate every single garden around the city that shares any of its bounty with us.”
This kind of generosity not only helps lessen food waste but gives your fruits and veggies a greater purpose.

Donating fresh produce helps feed those in need.

Create a Plan for Produce

Not everything can be donated, however. For those seeking a solution to crabapples and other pest-damaged fruits, consider reaching out to organizations like the Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARMM). They accept imperfect produce that may not be fit for human consumption but is still a nutritious option for farm animals. As owner Melissa Marttell puts it, “If you brought them out here and we fed them, they would disappear in a matter of five minutes.”

For those looking to save and savor the harvest, preserving food through canning or freezing is a fantastic choice. High-acid foods like jams and pickles can be canned, but first-timers should check out resources from the Edmonton Public Library or local classes to learn the proper techniques.

Freezing Freshness

A simple and effective way to keep your garden produce fresh is freezing. Almost all vegetables can be stored away, though it’s best to blanch them first. Greens like kale and spinach can also be chopped and frozen flat in bags for easy use. Don’t forget, ice cube trays make for great herb bombs – perfect for seasoning dishes throughout winter!

Properly freezing your garden goodies can sustain you through the off-season.

Canning with Care

For those keen on canning, remember that different foods require specific methods. You’ll need a boiling water canner for high-acid foods and a pressure canner for low-acid options. Notably, Alberta Health Services mandates that any food for public distribution must be prepared in a kitchen with a food handling permit – which rules out homemade jams or pickles for donations.

Interested in learning more about canning techniques? Organizations like Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton offer both in-person and virtual workshops that cover everything from the basics of canning to fermentation, an ancient method that creates tangy delights like kimchi.

Learning to can can turn your harvest into secure winter treats.

The Friendship of Gardening

Utilizing community resources to distribute excess produce not only helps reduce waste, but it also fosters a sense of camaraderie within your neighborhood. Whether volunteering for the Leftovers Foundation, which collects home-grown crops to support campus food banks, or simply sharing with friends and family, every contribution counts towards fighting food insecurity.

As we usher in the colder months, these options provide various avenues to ensure your gardening efforts don’t go unnoticed. You never know how a bag of fresh vegetables might brighten someone’s day.
The act of sharing your harvest can create connections within your community, reminding us of the abundance nature grants us.

In conclusion, this fall as you harvest your garden bounty, consider all the possibilities – from preserving to donating or simply sharing. The benefits extend beyond your kitchen; it’s about nourishing our community and keeping fresh produce flowing to everyone.

Community gardens enhance relationships and food access for all.