First Melon

It's still hot... in fact, when we drove to Delina's party (7-4), the bank clock/temp sign said 114. On our back porch, it was easily 109. Yesterday was only 90... 20 degrees cooler, which enabled us to do a little work in the garden. Today was cool enough that we could open the windows in the morning.

Yesterday we harvested the first melon. This baby was a Galia. It was fully ripe, and starting to split (probably from the heat), but it was utterly delicious. We shared it with Rick C., Buddy, me, and Rick. Catherine missed out because she was doing a good deed.

I harvested these lovely squashes. Ok they are way overgrown squashes... they look pretty there with no context but the top one is 16 inches long and 13 inches around! The white "flying saucer" pattypan is 9 inches across. That white scallop is one of the squashes gifted to us.

I wanted to find out more about this unusual squash, and a little research turned up this info from Adam's Heirlooms

White Scallop Squash is a very ancient native American heirloom squash, grown by the northern Indians for hundreds of years. This type was depicted by Europeans back to 1591, and one of the best tasting and yielding varieties still around today!  Flat fruit with scalloped edges, beautiful!
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Scallop squashes are so versatile, and nutritious.  Only 16 calories per 100 g serving of cooked scallop squash.   Unlike some vegetables, scallop squash is low in carbs.  A 100 g serving provides just 3.3 g of carbs, just 7 percent of the amount of carbs a 100 g potato.

If you want to increase your fiber intake without dramatically increasing your calorie intake, scallop squash can be a good choice. Each 100 g serving provides 2 g of fiber.   Fiber  promotes digestive health and can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

The White Scallop Squash  is a heart-healthy vegetable, packed with vitamin A, Vitamin B6,  potassium, and magnesium that offer cardio-protective effects.

So... I'll have to cook this baby up and see what it tastes like!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...the owner of the abandoned house finally got an estate manager, who decided to actually manage! Turns out Reena sent a letter about the danger of the trees. Anyway, they cut down the awful conifers in front. Poor Karen and Glen have more of an eyesore now, but I'm glad to see those trees gone.

The poor tree guys worked in the midst of the heatwave.