Spinach and Courgette soup, dealing with the glut

At this time of year the garden is producing so much, it is sometimes hard to keep up! For the next few videos I plan to deal with the beginning of the huge harvest from my garden and think about how to deal with it.
And I don't start by saying 'Hello You Tube Friends' which is just wrong. So I'm sorry about that.
Just back from Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again, but no spoilers from me (just wait until the very very end of the titles though!)

[@marciajohnson5143]

In America, we call them zucchini. A summer squash that is so good in so many recipes. Even in breads and cakes. But super simple and delicious when stir fried. The blossom end rot means they need more alkaline soil, like add some Epsom salts. Zucchini spiralized is now being used as a substitute for pasta.

[@iansloan4261]

That soup! My mouth is watering! I would add a squeeze of lemon to it and probably eat two bowls. Thanks for sharing that great recipe!

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Ian Sloan the lemon is a genius idea! I have about two portions left so I’ll try that today. I also make a simple mix of creme fraiche and chopped herbs and swirl that it for a tasty addition ❤️😊🌿

[@devnaroberts9689]

@@thelasthomelyhouse I always add grated nutmeg to anything I make with spinach. That habit comes from the Italian grandmother who was our closest neighbor when I was growing up. I hovered outside her door at dinnertime like a starved cat. She always sat a place for me...the food was swoon worthy. My father used to worry because I ate so little at home until Mrs. Damico told him what I was up to. His only rule was that I had to do Mrs. Damico's dishes in gratitude for the food. She would wash and I would dry. She would talk about food and the small village where she grew up near Naples and I would hang on every word. I started visiting her when I was 6 and continued until I went away to college.

[@suzisaintjames]

Don't let people get you down about using butter. If they knew anything about the new KETO diet... which premise is that the body and especially the brain does better burning fat than sugar or carbohydrates... they'd let you have your way. Besides... where you live your butter is probably from the very best grass fed cows, so keep up the good work. (p.s. In the USA most health conscious don't use vegetable oil as it's a blend of oils that are higher in omega 6 fatty acids than your olive oil. And most of your veggies are homegrown and have lower carbohydrates than most. You do pretty good. Sending you lots of love ❤ from sunny 🌅 Arizona 🌵USA 🗽

[@HazelSmith-y4l]

I have to laugh....I'm just watching this video now and you've said you're excited to reach 500 subscribers. We'll it's 2024 now and you've hit 100,000!!!!!!!!!! OMG you're so amazing. I love your videos, all of them, no matter what you're doing. If I'm feeling blue, there is nothing that makes me happier and cheers me up than by popping on one of your videos. You're the best medicine ever!!!!! Thanks so much Kate ❤

[@katehenry2718]

Ask any family member and they'll say that IS all the time it takes to make dinner. Just wait till its their turn )))) I hereby write you a permission slip: Use all the oil you like. Butter should not be restricted. They are both essential for your mental health, and you can quote me or show the note. YUM. )))

[@paulahodd]

Love watching you cook. Butter, oil... you work hard have as much as you want!!!!!! To each their own. xx

[@mariecurrie7657]

Always a pleasure to visit & get new recipes. My spinach is long gone & with no succession sowings there's nothing on the way. I'll be making courgette relish on Wednesday with ours. In any event, I started my cucumber pickles in brine yesterday (they'll be ready in 4 to 6 days when I move them from the crock to the jars). Today I made crabapple and chilli jelly as they're falling from my sister's tree now. Peas everywhere. What a wonderful time. 🍎🌞

[@beckybrown3291]

I love that you always love on your kids with their much loved foods. Pickles for your daughter Ann's rhubarb for your son. 🥰

[@devnaroberts9689]

Everyone has to smile when listening to Abba! I know you have seen the movie by now. Cher was outstanding. My granddaughter (late teens) accompanied me. After the movie, she sighed and said, "I wish I had a grandmother that could sing like that." I told her, "I wish you did too." Then we giggled.

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

You should sing and show her she HAS got that sort of grandma! we can all do ANYTHING if we have a mind to! ha ha!!! xxxxx and yes! I loved the movie and bought the DVD! xxx

[@sandrawhitakermyer4146]

Kate, What are Corquettes?are they Zucchini? looks great soup! love watching you make yr meals!🥰

[@shilohfarm7248]

Looks really healthy and tasty. Have you ever grown spaghetti squash ? If not maybe you could try them this year. We use them instead of pasta. Hope you have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day.

[@carybradley3968]

Always wonderful to watch you, Kate! Your soup looks lovely!

[@PeggyStentzCasey]

Hmmm...I've grown spinach and I love it. It just takes a lot to feed two people. But I've never heard of beet leaf so that must be an English thing. But I agree, spinach looks nothing like what you were holding. I love zuchini stewed with onions. Delish! But then I eat really plain food.

[@rebeccafoust2963]

I was cooking my onions and yellow crookneck squash while watching your video last night.... ended up adding spinach and turning it into a soup... Thanks for the inspiration. I seasoned mine differently ... DELICIOUS!!!

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Rebecca Foust that’s what I love about soup - and cooking in general- just keep adding what you love!!!!! ❤️😊🌿

[@wendybellhouse5731]

Mmmmmmm delicious summer tastes. Meanwhile here, today I wore my newly crocheted scarf made from your handspun rose garden yarn 🌹 so snuggly.

[@sandramosteller9944]

Hi Kate, my soup was a little too watery. I added 1/2 cup of instant potato flakes and it was perfect. Thanks for the recipe sandra

[@cheryl8280]

Hi Kate, I didn't quite catch what you called the green plant, the one you are using in place of spinach. I don't think I've ever seen it before. But, yes, it is glut season (except for my own home grown tomatoes). I've just come back from the vegie market and they are selling as fast as they can bring them in the back door from the garden!! LOL Enjoy the movie!!! Thanks for no spoilers as I'm going to see it on Thursday. Thanks you again for all you do and share with us.

[@SandraOranje]

Cheryl Taylor Those are leaf beet. Hers were green but they can come in many colours.

[@cheryl8280]

Sandra Oranje Thanks so much for the information on that plant. I've never heard of it and wonder if I can get seeds here (mid-Canada). I'll put it on the list for 2019.

[@SandraOranje]

Cheryl Taylor I checked for you and maybe you can look here halifaxseed.ca/products/product/perpetual-spinach-leaf-beet and take it from there if you want leaf beet next year. 😉

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Cheryl Taylor oh, thanks for the reply’s folks! This is indeed leaf beet, different from chard but behaves in the same way - I wonder too if it’s what is called New Zealand spinach? True spinach is a tricky thing to grow. I grow rainbow chard and leaf beet for big easy leaves that taste delicious raw in salad when young and steamed when a bit bigger. Good in juice too. Such an abundance this year!!!! 🌿❤️😊

[@rebeccafoust2963]

Toward the end of the season, leave a squash or two on the plant to let it fully mature. ... Dad would often designate one or two plants about 1/2 to 3/4 way into the season to leave to mature for seed. ... after harvesting and fully drying seed, he would label and store in freezer ... plant about half the next season and leave the rest for the following. In that way we have been eating some of my grandfather's favorite pole beans....... since my sister has been sick the last few years - she did not realize Dad had taken the seed from the freezer and had left them out.... we found them all damaged... did not think any would germinate... we planted them ... hoping we would get one plant to grow some new seed..... no luck. Our heirloom rattlesnake green pole beans are gone. :(

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

I have been looking at the seeds from many things I have planted this year - for what is it in those expensive seed packets but someones saved seed? That story about your Dad's seeds is sad - it is amazing to have had such memories like that - rattlesnake green pole beans! they sound awesome!!!! I hope your sister is feeling better xxx

[@rebeccafoust2963]

she is doing reasonably well and is currently undergoing the final doses of another round of chemo. much better this time around... determined to be strong and healthy until the ripe old age of 125. By the grace of God, she will make that goal. Thanks for asking.

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Rebecca Foust sending love and much positivity to you both xxxxxxx

[@irhonda31]

I’ll have to buy spinach and zucchini, but I’m making that soup!

[@dianacusimano-valentine8731]

Very nice! 🥒🌿🥣. I'm definitely making this in next day or two. Thank you for this fresh recipe!🙂

[@cynthiahamblin-perry5880]

Yum looks good but way to hot here to cook in house. In the 90s and no air conditioning. Eat cold things! Would love a summer kitchen outside so I could do canning and cooking out there in summer. Maybe someday. I am grating my zucchini and freezing it in 2 cup portions so I can make bread w/ it this winter. Could use that for soups too. Enjoy the film! Looking forward to this series on "glut season".

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Cynthia Hamblin-Perry ooh, freezing grated is a genius idea! I might have to give that a try if I can’t keep up with them! Stay cool! A permanent outdoor kitchen would be awesome!!!! Maybe one day! 🌿❤️😊

[@eileenfb1948]

I wonder if your situation would be suitable for using a Solar Oven. Outdoor use, of course. They are not expensive. In UK the sun does not shine continuously on a reliable basis - or I would buy one as they are free to use.

[@marisagomez1288]

You are incredible , smart wuauu thanks 👏👏👏🍀❤️

[@HarrietHensley]

yummy......you always starve me......keep them coming please !!!!!!

[@karinb57]

I am watching this mid March, and we have snow in the forecast for tomorrow. It was lovely seeing your summer bounty and imagining my garden this summer. I love your dress, you look really good in it! The recipe is simple and can only be tasty. Though I am not a vegetarian it sounds good to me. I could always add some cooked chicken chunks in it to please my meat lovin' husband. But I might try this without and see what he makes of it. Thank you Kate.

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

try it without and see if he notices! the dress is made using some left over curtain material - so when I stand by those curtains - I disappear! ha ha!! xxx

[@annemaguire657]

Goodness Kate is there anything that you can’t do?, amazing resourceful lady

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

there are many many things i can't do! I just don't turn the camera on when I'm trying to do one of them! ha ha ha!!!

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Have a good time! Hope I can remember my zucchini soup from last summer. Very similar.

[@robinmarie5180]

Your house dress is awesome.

[@jeanniecarpenter6313]

that soup looks lovely, and I will definitely be giving it a try. I have loads of both veg coming on. thank you

[@wendymcfarlane9068]

That looks delicious ty!

[@susied6383]

I very much enjoy watching your cooking. Although, I’m always hungry afterwards 😆 Thank you for sharing!

[@rebeccajourney3183]

Can you eat the stems? Oh I love the zucchini! I do ribbon noodles with them too. I haven't made those in a while... I love a one pot meal ; )

[@cynforrest]

A series? Interesting. I’m in. It can be difficult to take advantage of a huge simultaneous ripening in the garden. Can’t wait to see what you suggest. I will try this soup. Sounds yummy! Thanks, Kate. Hope the movie is good. Perhaps you’ll give us a review on your next vid.

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Cyn Forest it was great! But I’ll wait till everyone who wants to see it has done so - I can’t bear spoilers - I almost never watch trailers for that reason! But it was so much fun!!!!!

[@083purplecola]

here in Ohio, many people leave their zucchini to get absolutely massive, then they push them off on others because they have such a glut of produce that they don't know what to do with them. at that point, they're only good for shredding and putting into cakes or breads. i don't understand why they do that! pick them small, i tell them, as they're best that way! but do they listen? noooo... haha!

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Thank you Kate ❤❤

[@maryanneanderson5826]

Thank you for sharing, I’m going to try some this evening ❣️

[@scottpenaluna5330]

HOWDY 💜🇺🇸👩‍🎤 I AM A BIG SOUP LOVER THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT OPTION. AND YES. YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA . PLEASE PASS ON SOME MORE OF YOUR GREAT GARDENING HARVEST IDEAS. GOD BLESS Signing off Scott's wife Vickie

[@myhillsidegarden3998]

Thank you for today's soup recipe. So easy. Would love to see how you use your harvests. Have a lovely day! Catherine

[@juliesew_me_something699]

Great what a fab year it’s been for the garden x

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Julie Sewaholic it’s been completely amazing! I can’t keep up with it - and those sweet peas I planted by the pavilion just go on and on and on!!!!! 🌿❤️😊

[@SandraOranje]

This again looked so yummy. My favorite of this video is definitely the pickled Gurkens. I love a good Gurken. 😉

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Sandra Oranje they are growing faster Than I can deal with them!!!!! 😫😂❤️

[@catherinemclaughlin6949]

Can I freeze soup like that thank Kate

[@gracepatane9384]

I bet that soup is delicious!!

[@Woodland1234]

That looks really good!❤️❤️❤️

[@TheEngelbrechtc]

I made your recipe, delicious

[@paulinewhalen742]

your soup looks so good...thanks kate.

[@sandramosteller9944]

kate, watching last summers gardening and you mention leaf beets, the (corjets)? I dont know this plant. Is it the same or similar as zuccini?

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

leaf beet is like spinach only easier to grow and it goes on for longer xxx

[@susieQ666]

new sub 🙂🙂

[@claudiaebert7842]

Hello Kate, I think your soup tasted very delicious. Haha ...., So you're also a Mama Mia fan (I of course, as well Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses !!!!) You can tell how you liked the movie ..... and a of course I am Jamie Fan too. I always give me each year for the birthday one of his books. (You always need a good start, especially if you do not really want to buy new books). Last year i made paprika-zucchini-onion pickles, which were delicious. Are all eaten now. Unfortunately there is nothing to harvest in the garden except a few little tomatoes and a few peppers, because I simply have no room. Greetings and see you soon Claudia

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Claudia Ebert those pickles sound lovely! And Meryl can do no wrong! She was excellent in the movie - but no spoilers from me!!!!!!! Xxxxx

[@claudiaebert7842]

No spoilers hahaha! I know the content of the second part, but I have no idea when it is running in Germany. I own a large Meryl collection. But many of her serious movies took me so much that I could not watch them a second time. best regards Claudia

[@jofarley7294]

Never worry about fat as long as it's good fat, it's good for you

[@eileenfb1948]

A lot of people have grown up with the belief that fats are bad for you except in tiny amounts. Use butter and olive oil freely unless you are having them with grains and sugars. We need cholesterol and if we don’t consume it our liver has to make it. Carbs are not essential as our body can make the small amount we actually do need. It’s topsyturvy to what we are taught. Carbs cause us to gain weight. Unhealthy processed seed and vegetable oils are very harmful to us. Eat the old fashioned way with a nice large knob of butter on everything.

[@yvonneiversen8749]

I don't know what a corjette, is. Perhaps a zucchini.

[@lyndaevans1132]

Don't feel defensive about the fats you use! I use real butter for everything, just about! You look like a very healthy eater! Our brains need fat, I understand.

[@toodie535]

leaf beet? hmmmm