Based on the book Garden of Small Beginnings
by Abbi Waxman
Within months of purchasing our first home, the covid-19 crisis of 2020 gripped the world. We decided to plant a garden in our backyard and patio—tomatoes, summer squash, peppers and loads of herbs. It was both something to do with the kids and would (with luck) provide some fresh ingredients for me to cook with.
I picked up this book a few weeks ago as our tomato plants were dying (or perhaps drowning in the pounding Florida rain), expecting it to teach me something new about gardening. It does, but that’s not why I have kept reading it. The Garden of Small Beginnings is the story of a young widowed illustrator, Lilian Girvan, who is taking on the sometimes-overwhelming task of daily living while raising two young daughters as a single mom. I immediately identified with Lilian who is quirky, sarcastic, loves Target and coffee—if you’re like me, you’ll wish she lived next door.
Without giving too much away, Lilian’s boss signs her up for a gardening class, supposedly to prepare her to illustrate a series of boutique vegetable guides. While getting her hands dirty, literally, she starts to re-grow her life and see the possibility of a new beginning.
Unable to save our tomatoes, Todd and I picked all the green ones. Fed up with the mess of Fried Green Tomatoes, we created this recipe for a “Starter Garden” salsa that will knock your socks off!
Anytime you can incorporate more veggies in your day, it’s a good thing. Most people don’t get the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetable every day. This fresh salsa will help.
Makes: 6 cups
Contains: None of the Common Allergens
Diet Type: Gluten Free, Dairy free option
Challenge Level: Just a pinch involved
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 3 hours (includes 2 hours refrigeration)
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