When harvesting Zucchini wear gloves!

Look at this mother of a zucchini!
Grown by moi. I feel like a proud mama. And it's 100% organic. I would have preferred to pick it at a smaller size, and it was the perfect size one day, but then when I finally picked it, two days later, it became mammoth.

Now, I've not grown zucchini, or as they're sometimes known, courgettes, before this season. Up to now, I've grown mostly flowers and only dabbled in growing vegetables. I've grown tomatoes, peppers and herbs, but that's about it.

As for the zucchini, I stuck my bare hand in the maze of zucchini leaves and pulled the zuke off the vine. It felt a bit prickly. Later I noticed what felt like a few slivers. I should have known better, as I just finished reading a very funny book called, "Merde Actually", by Stephen Clarke - it is a halarious book.

The main character, Paul, or "Pool" as the French say, is visiting his girlfriend's family. They have a farm on the French country side. He is recruited to pick courgettes by his girlfriend's mother and finds out that, "The courgettes were surprisingly prickly ...".

I see more zucchini coming along. This time I'll pick them as soon as I think they're the right size. In the meatime, I need to dig out some recipes. How many ways can you cook zucchini? When I have some time I'll post some recipes.

Attack of the Zucchini!

Here's my vegetable patch. You may be able to see some fennel fronds finally sprouting. Also planted some leek seeds, and I believe the spindly things may be the leeks. Have never planted either so it is a wonder to me as to what they look like as they grow. It's been very cold and wet, and I must say, I'm underwhelmed by the slow growth. Kind of a lunch bag let down so far. I wasn't sure if the slowness was due to my ineptitude as a vegetable gardener or the weather. The weather channel reported that farmers are a week behind, so maybe it's not just me.

What is shocking me is the size of the zucchini! I planted those seeds long after the fennel and leeks. I believe they are going to overtake my entire small plot. I read somewhere that one to two zucchini plants is more than enough for a small family. I've got three. Must look up several zucchini recipes soon.