Sugar snaps and a garden peek

(Sesame Sugar Snap Peas are a perennial favorite)

It's sugar snap time in the valley — a happy time of year when fresh peas are popping on the vines.

Sugar snap peas no longer make it to the refrigerator in my house since I started making this all-time favorite recipe: Sesame Sugar Snap Peas. My husband and I can eat platefuls of these snappy little devils, peppered with toasted sesame seeds, a hint of orange juice and Tamari. Try it once and I guarantee you will be making it over and over again.

Now, come on in for a little tour of the garden to date. Things change so quickly, it's hard to keep up with the progress, but here is a little peek:

These are the Caselode peas, which are shellers. They are really abundant and are filling out quite nicely. It won't be long before they are fully plump and ready to pick. Note to self: First recipe to make is creamy pea risotto.

I wondered if I should plant some Rat's Tail Radish this year, but decided not to, as space was filling up quickly. Little did I know what a vigorous self-seeder it is, so I welcomed the volunteers that sprung up in front of the pea fence. It's already flowering, and it won't be long before I'm picking those pods. I hope to pickle some this year — zesty little devils they are.

Heads of romaine, lollo rosso and Butterworth lettuces were magnificent. M and I felt like bunnies each night as we munched on fresh salad greens since mid-March. More seeds are planted and popping up, so hopefully, I will keep the cycle going. It gets a little trickier when things get hot, hot, hot.

Oh, and that Smooth-Leaf Emu Spinach! This is the second planting, and the leaves are bigger than my hands. It has been delicious raw in salads and simply steamed with a sprinkle of Tamari. I had enough to make a killer spanikopita, which I could eat almost every day.

The broccoli is forming heads. The weather has been a bit cool, and we recently got a nice amount of rain, so this cool crop is lovin' its crib. I will keep an eye on them so they don't bolt if the weather gets hotter later in the week.

Yes, there is always a kitty or two keeping me company while I putter around in the garden. Giacomo thinks he sees something hiding in the straw near the cucumbers. Did I tell you how much both cats love that straw? There must be some ancient memories that surface when I bring the bales into the garden. He and Carlos can't get enough of its sweet aroma and comfy cushion underneath.

I have lots of thinning to do this week — the beets, carrots and kale need lots of attention. It seems like the rainbow chard, above, grew 6 inches overnight. The thinnings will make for something delicious.

The chard, kale and tomatillos are a close-knit group.

The Cavalo Nero, or Tuscan kale, is filling out nicely. The tomatillos in the foreground are welcomed volunteers.

The Kennebec potatoes and the other varieties are flowering. That's the Christmas goose decoy we found along the shores of the Hudson River this past winter. His rotating wings might help keep some troublesome pests away. It looks as though he is making a landing right over the artemisia, which will grow taller than the fence.

It looks as though the goose is making a beeline for this little hummingbird, who took a little rest on the garden fence, watching as I work. The photo's a bit blurry, but you get the picture.

On closer inspection of the artemisia I discovered this happy pair of ladybugs. Sorry for the intrusion, but I could not help myself. Love is definitely in the air this spring!

Brussels sprouts are growing in the bed next to the bok choy, tatsoi, mizuna, arugula and carrots. They have a long growing season ahead of them and usually taste better after the first frost.

The garlic is going crazy! The scapes are doing their swan-neck dance and I have to get out there this week to pick them off. I will be conjuring up plenty of recipes to use them in.

And these dainty little French Fraise du Bois strawberries are sweet as candy.

The white alpine strawberries are about the same size as the French ones, with a taste that reminds me a little of pineapple. Some thinnings of the mizuna, arugula and tatsoi, with a few fragrant roses to top it all off.

I caught this wild turkey sauntering along in my neighbor's yard. I see him looking over my way, wondering what might be available to eat in the garden. He and the rest of his flock better move along, or I will have to call in the Carlos and Giacomo patrol to shoo them away.



I wonder if Giacomo can see him from his perch high atop the garden gate. He better be pulling sentry duty.