The Country Garden Showcase #32

May your garden be healthy and overflowing with produce.

It's awful hot and dry here this summer.  My little hard working honey bees have been suffering the consequences.  So have my poor young hens.  My plants are hanging in there, though I can see wilting leaves during the heat of the day.  

In an attempt to avoid going out into the heat I have begun processing nectarines from my tree.  I am doing something new this year.  I have been making fruit leathers and fruit chips.  For the leathers I remove the pit from three or four fruit (with skin on) and puree in a food processor with a teaspoon of lemon juice.  You can add a bit of brown sugar or honey to taste if you like.  Then, fold the puree carefully onto the dehydrator sheet lined in either parchment paper or a fruit leather liner and let them dehydrate for about 12 hours or until the leather is no longer sticky to the touch.  Cool them off and roll them up in plastic wrap and store in a gallon ziploc bag for later.  For the chips, I  slice the fruit into 1/4 thick wedges that I soak in lemon juice for 5 minutes before laying on the dehydrator tray.  I have also been adding a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.  It really is a nice compliment.  

I look forward to seeing what's been going on in YOUR garden.  Thanks!

Heidi