On the Menu This Week (8-19 to 8-25)

For the last several years I have challenged myself to focus on using from my pantry and shop less for a couple months each winter... a Pantry Challenge.  With the end of February and this year's pantry challenge complete, I found that I really liked having a basic menu plan to guide me.  I decided to continue making a month long menu, and be intentional about using garden produce and preserves from last season.

I have just about exhausted my stock of frozen and canned garden produce from last year, but fortunately, the garden and backyard fruit are producing fresh again.  It is now my goal to incorporate as much fresh produce and herbs as I can into our meals, and then preserve the abundance for the winter and spring to come.

Overall, I have to say that intentional menu planning has been good for my family. :D  It only takes me 15-20 min to put together a new menu for the month unless I get stuck trying to think of something new to add.  If you are interested in joining me in intentional menu planning, check out my Pantry Challenge post to get an idea of how to get started.

Here is what is on our menu this week...

Garden fresh this week:
-cucumbers
-pole beans
-zucchini/summer squash
-tomatoes
-eggplant
-jalapeno peppers

Meals:
-Zucchini Skillet* - uses fresh zucchini, tomato, onion (a favorite of mine; my family allows me to make this once a year) - didn't get to this last week; it will stay on the menu until I get my one meal :}
-Scalloped Potatoes and Ham - uses potatoes I was given this week (a change from my original plan)
-Eggplant Parmigiana & Chicken Parmigiana - uses garden fresh eggplant & homemade tomato sauce

Snack:
-fresh veggies & fruit

Preserve:
apple leathers - using fresh but slightly green apples I was given last weekend

What are you harvesting and eating fresh this week?  Are you preserving any garden produce this week?  I'd love hear about your favorite recipes!

Happy Garden Eating! :)

*this is a recipe I hope to post soon