It is officially that time of year again, fall harvest time! Traditionally, fall harvest is a time of year for people to come together and share their bountiful harvests and gifts with the community in preparation for the long cold months of winter. All of the hard work of the planting spring and summer comes to fruition with a feast fit to bring a community together.
Harvest comes from the Old English word for autumn, Haerfest (meaning to reap, gather, and store what has been grown). One of the big things for me to harvest this time of year are my tomatoes. I love to grow a variety of different types of tomato sauce. That is a big thing that my family will go through over the winter months, and one of my main priority harvests. Other popular fall harvest items consist of squashes, pumpkins, apples, grapes, pears, celery, and beets.
There is such a good feeling of accomplishment with being able to go into your cupboard when the roads are full of snow and slush, and be able to open a can of something that you grew, harvested, and made into a meal to feed you and your family without having to go to the grocery store. Knowing that you are carrying out a tradition that our ancestors also took place in brings a feeling of primal accomplishment full of rewards.
The best part of fall harvest is the close-knit feeling of community. Sharing cans of preserved harvest, passing along excess squash, (there’s always so much!), or a pie baked of fresh pumpkins is such a great way to share with your community and instill a satisfying sense of tradition.
Cheers!
Jennifer Miller
Executive Chef
