elevenses of late spring

The hand belongs to Miss Eliza, who made it difficult for me to get a clear shot with all her grape snatching.

1. green grapes

These are the first California organic grapes of the season. For weeks, I've been grumbling to myself about all the South American grapes, which I refuse to buy, but at last my patience was rewarded. These grapes were a bit on the tart side for my taste, but I have a feeling this week's red grapes will be sweeter.

2. cucumbers (stars cut out of centers)

The cucumbers are organic-local. I got the idea to seed cucumbers by using a mini cookie cutter from a lunch DVD I watched last year. Eliza is more likely to eat foods if there are fun shapes involved.

3. Gala apples

They're from Washington - the only produce item I bought last week not from the southern half of California. Eliza talked me into getting them. I don't know why she's so apple crazy in the midst of such California summer abundance of citrus, stone fruit, and berries.

4. energy cookies (Vive le Vegan! by Dreena Burton)


These were from Vive le Vegan! by Dreena Burton (who happened to blog today about her cookies). She's far too modest - she is to vegan cookies what Isa Chandra Moskowitz is to vegan cupcakes - genius at work there. The "energy cookies" were almost like trail mix in a cookie shape and were unusually soft and chewy considering how chunky they are. They call for two flours (barley and spelt, but I had to substitute whole wheat pastry for the latter), four seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, hemp, and flax), dried fruit (I used black mission figs), vegan carob chips, and a bit of pure maple syrup. Eliza is a big fan.

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1. Armenian cucumber

It's just as cool and crispy as a European cucumber, but the peel has no bitterness at all. There was a very subtle sweetness, but it tastes nothing like a melon. I dressed it very lightly with fresh mint and a spritz of olive oil and lemon juice.

2. apricots

I kept them bright and orange with a bath in a crushed Vitamin C tablet.

3. Organic Morning O's & raisins

There's always that "what on earth do I have to put in the fourth box?" O's to the rescue.

4. "bountiful blueberry buns" (Vive le Vegan!)

Delicious! We'll definitely make these whole spelt muffins-in-scone-form again sometime. I didn't quite have enough blueberries, so I added cherries.