The FIRST Day Of Fall

In eastern NC it doesn't really feel like fall yet. It's still in the upper 8o's and humid, but, there are signs of fall everywhere. We are already raking leaves, the tomato plants have grown to over five feet tall and are bending under the weight of their fruit. Our basil was just through it's second pruning.

This morning I made a batch of Basil Pesto:

The plants were pruned and lived in an airtight bag in the fridge for two days until I made time to make the pesto. Any longer than that and they turn black.

We clean each leaf individually we often find caterpillars hiding under the leaves.

No one wants that kind of protein in their pesto!

Dried the leaves in the salad spinner.

Walnuts or pine nuts, basil leaves, olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese.

Voila! Pesto.