Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Some Lost Some Gain

I think it took the latter part of August and all of September to finally feel dried out. Through expected springtime rains; then a summer that saw daily deluges, and a sun that played peek-a-boo behind clouds that threatened more rain left everything a bit more than damp.

Mold grew on the south side of trees, many of which up-ended due to the softened ground that no longer allowed their impressive roots to anchor securely. Sinks holes were reported with such frequency I though I was living in Florida. And, then there was the garden. Seedlings went in but little came out. Eggplant, borage, cumin and black-eyed peas drowned within days. Cucumbers managed to vine and meander but the constant down pours thwarted the pollinators I rely upon forcing them keep hidden and safe from watery bombardments. Of the tomatoes that developed, I would venture to guess that half rotted on the branch. However, my greatest disappointment was with the pomegranate tree. By late April into May its branches were rife with flowers and by the June I spotted a nascent fruit take hold. Then more rains, and not a gentle drizzle but sideward sheets that seared flowers from the branch and made that one promise disappear between the crackle of lighting and subsequent clap of thunder.

The radishes, kale, chard, beets and lettuces of the autumn garden germinated well in the constant moistness. My farmer’s markets satisfied my craving for zucchini, okra and eggplant. We did not go without, and will not starve this coming winter, even if my pantry and a chest freezer are at half capacity – just disappointed my melon tasted like water.

There seems a bright spot in this otherwise bleak, overcast report and that is apples are fabulous this fall. Big, juicy and plentiful. And, I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am actually looking forward to a cold snap because then my favorites: Black Twig,Golden Russet and Arkansas Black will be coming to market.

Moist Apple Bundt Cake – yields 9-inch bundt cake

Apprx. 1-1/2-pounds apples – peeled, cored and diced1-tablespoon ground cinnamon

1-cup chopped pecans

2-cups sugar

8 ounces (2-sticks) unsalted butter

2-eggs

2-teaspoons vanilla extract

2-cups all-purpose flour

1-teaspoon baking powder

½-teaspoon baking soda

1/8-teaspoon salt

3/4-cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour a 9-inch bundt cake pan.

In a small bowl mix the apples, pecans, cinnamon and 2-tablspoons of sugar to thoroughly combine. Hold to the side.

Beat the butter and the remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next one. Mix the vanilla extract into the butter mixture.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Add the flour and sour to the butter mixture, and mix to combined.

Pour about two-thirds of the batter into the cake pan, and then sprinkle about ¾’s of the pecan mixture over the batter. Pour in the remaining batter. Scatter the remaining apple/pecan mixture on top of the cake.