Cabin Cooking: Italian Stuffed Giant Zucchini

I used to plant zucchini in my floating garden, but they take up so much room. Now that I'm living almost full time at my cabin, I can use barrels for some of my plants. I bought two zucchini starts at the nursery and planted them in April in half of a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Now my plants have lots of leaves and fruits (yes, botanically they are fruits). If I don't pick them quick enough, some of them turn out to be "zucchinis gigantes," if you know what I mean. What to do with a zucchini of such proportions? Well, here's a tasty suggestion.

Italian Stuffed Zucchini

4 medium zucchini or 1 "zucchinis gigantes"
4 oz. hamburger
4 oz. Italian sausage
1 small onion chopped
1/2 bell pepper chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
3 tbsp. Italian seasoning herbs
salt & black pepper to taste
1 tbsp. olive or cooking oil
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp to create a boat to hold the meat mixture. Place zucchini halves in a pan of salted boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes or until almost tender. Or heat them in the microwave. Place upside-down on a paper towel to drain.

Chop onion, pepper and garlic. Saute lightly in oil. Remove from pan. Take sausage out of their casings, break up hamburger and saute both together over moderate heat until browned. Spoon off any fat.

Return vegetables to the pan then add Italian herbs, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Cook on low heat and finally stir in a third of the cheese to help thicken the mixture.

Place the zucchini boats in a baking dish, fill with Italian meat sauce mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the zucchini are heated thoroughly and the filling has a lightly brown crust. Enjoy -- Margy

Yuck! Onion Maggots

I plant my onions sets in April and everything's fine until the weather turns warm and dry. That's when the onion maggots appear. Pupae overwinter in the soil and hatch into flies (similar to house flies) by June. Females live for 30 days and lay 200 eggs. Now that's a lot of maggot potential even for my little garden!

Eggs are laid at the base of young seedlings. Larvae hatch and bore into the onion to feed (2-3 weeks) until it's time to pupate in the soil. If that's not bad enough, each growing season can produce three generations of onion maggot flies. It's a huge problem for commercial growers, but it's also a problem for us kitchen gardeners. If you eat onions fresh, you can cut out affected parts. But if you want to cure and store onions for later use, those affected by maggots don't keep well.

Methods to control onion maggots include:

• pull onions before the end of the third generation (August-October) so maggots cannot overwinter as pupae in the soil
  
• do not plant onions in the same place two years in a row
• do not plant all of your onions in one section of the garden
• water and dust seedlings with diatomaceous earth
• scatter ashes or sand around the base of seedlings

The last suggestion I found in a pamplet called The Basic Book of Organic Gardening (1988) by Rodale Press of Emmaus PA. It's one of my favourite gardening reference books and onion maggots are one of their "Terrible 26" pests.

One thing we have plenty of around the cabin is wood ashes. I'm going to try the suggestion on my second planting that's just now sprouting. If it works, maybe this year I can nip the problem in the bud.

First I gave the onion bed a good watering. Then I spooned a light dusting of ashes all around the onion seedlings. It didn't say this in the book, but after several waterings or a heavy rain, it probably would be a good idea to reapply some ashes. Has anyone else tried this solution? Do you have any other suggestions for my onion maggot problem? I'll keep you posted on my results. -- Margy

Coastal BC Birds: American Robin

American Robin

One of the earliest birds to arrive in Spring is the robin. It's a sign that summer isn't far away and a welcome sight. Now that it's summer, our visiting robin is all settled in.

She flits around the float and rock wall looking for tasty morsels. She especially enjoys foraging in my float garden for bugs and worms. I hate to lose any of my worms, but she is welcome to the bugs one and all.

The American Robin comes to vacation in Canada after winter is done and the weather starts to warm up. The robin is easily identified by its reddish-orange breast (Robin Redbreast), yellow beak and cheery song. I usually awaken (briefly) at dawn to her melodious song.

The robin's diet includes, of course, worms, other insects and even some snails. I wish she liked slugs, I've got more of those in my garden than I can count. Another favourite is fruit. When I go out to pick my strawberries there are always a few that have been eaten, leaving only a hollowed out shell. That's a small price for all the free bug eradication. -- Margy

"Three's a Crew" by Kathrene Pinkerton

Summer is reading time. I take my books out on the deck and read while soaking up some of the warm summer rays. My new Utopia floating lounge is also a great reading location.

I like to read books about our local area and destinations I'd like to explore. Scrounging through one of my favourite used book stores, I found Three's a Crew by Kathrene Pinkerton (Horsdal & Schubart, 1991). You can get it online through Amazon.com or Amazon.ca if you don't see it in your used book store.

In Three's a Crew, Kathrene Pinkerton recounts the many annual cruises she took with her husband and daughter up the Strait of Georgia, through the Inside Passage and all the way to Alaska. It sounded like it could have been set in present day, but the family's voyages took place from 1924 to 1931. In some cases, places along the BC coast were more populated then than they are today. As fishing and logging have declined, so have many of the remote camps, homesteads and outposts. Yet, some of the more resilient and resourceful have persisted.

Several weeks ago, Wayne and I cruised in our Bayliner to one of Kathrene's favourite destinations, the Yacultas Rapids (spelled Yucluetaws in her book). We didn't find Henry's Tiny Cove, but we did spend the night in Big Bay just past the rapids. At mid-tide, the rapids roar. But at high and low tide, the water goes slack so that even the most simple boats can navigate them safely. And sport fishing is still an important pastime in these salmon rich waters. As we sat at the dock, I thought about Kathrene's adventurous spirit all those many years ago. Now it's our turn to follow in wake.

What are you reading this summer? Have any good recommendations for me? -- Margy

Showing Off Their Broods

I haven't been lucky enough to see any geese and goslings around our cabin in Hole in the Wall yet, but down at the Shinglemill Marina they are out in full force. A little over a week ago while having a brew and appies on the outside deck at the Shinglemill Pub, Mr. Hat and I saw two families paddle by.

The Canada Goose makes its nest near the water's edge. Pairs are known to stay together for life. Mating occurs in the spring on the water. A clutch of 2-8 eggs hatch in about a month and the chicks grow to sufficient size in 6-7 weeks to begin flying. By late summer, it is hard to distinguish the kids from their parents, except for the order of the procession on land or in the water.

During summer, the Canada Goose goes through molting. The flight feathers that are worn out from long migratory trips are shed leaving the birds unable to fly for up to 8-10 weeks. During this flightless period they prefer areas near lakes or ponds for security from predators. When geese gather in large numbers during the molting season it can be very damaging to local vegetation, not to mention messy. Fortunately, in the Hole we usually only get one nesting pair. We enjoy their presence and look forward to Mom and Dad showing off the kids as they grow. Hope that's soon!

Want to know more? See ...

Love Canada Geese
All About Birds
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Hinterland Who's Who

And there is a great movie about Canada Geese called Fly Away Home. It's about a thirteen year-old girl who raises and teaches a brood of orphaned Canada Geese to migrate using her father's ultralight airplane. A must see!! -- Margy

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Powell River this Summer

Summer's here and I would like to invite you to come visit the most wonderful place on earth, Powell River, BC. Here are 10 great reasons you should make Powell River your vacation destination.

10. An exciting ferry ride to get here. BC Ferries serves Powell River. You can easily turn your visit into a Circle Route vacation. Check out the Experience Card for extra savings. On the Vancouver to Powell River route you will travel through majestic fjords and pass towering snow-capped peaks. It's an E-ticket ride for sure.

9. Uncrowded campgrounds. We have a special place in our hearts for Willingdon Beach Campsite. We stayed at this oceanside campgound when we discovered Powell River. Hookups are available at Kent's Beach near Saltery Bay, Garnet Rock near town and Sunland by-the-Sea near Lund. We love the remote forest and wilderness campgrounds such as Nanton, Dodd and Khartoum Lake.

8. ATV adventures. Do you ride a quad or off-road motorcycle? Logging and forest roads take you to trails, lakes and quiet forests. The Powell River ATV Club loves to help visiting riders. They even have a map book with GPS coordinates. Some of our favourite destinations are Theodosia, Fiddlehead Farm, Poki's Place and Khartoum Lake. You can read about more ATV adventures in Up the Main.

7. Restaurants with views. From everyday to fancy, we have it all. South of town at Beach Gardens is the Savoury Bight, great for sunset dinners. North of town on Okeover Inlet is the Laughing Oyster for great seafood. Continue to the end (beginning) of Highway 101 to the Lund Hotel's for a marina view. And don't leave town without a brew and steak at the Shinglemill Pub on Powell Lake. Sit and watch boats coming and going from logging sites and float cabins up the lake.

6. Events and festivals. Summer is event time in Powell River. July brings the Texada Sandcastle Weekend on the 4-5th, the Texada Fly-in on the 12th and the 46th Annual Seafair at Willingdon Beach from the 24-26th. Then Marine Avenue closes on Friday, August 21, for the annual Blackberry Street Party. The weekly Farmers Market in Paradise Valley is open April to September. For more activities, read Around Town in the PEAK or PowellRiverDirect.com.

5. Beaches. Powell River is overflowing with fresh and saltwater beaches. In town, Willingdon Beach is the place to go with it's grassy park, sandy beach and Beach Hut. South of town there's Saltery Bay Provincial Park and north there's Gibson's Beach. Keep going towards Lund and you will find Dinner Rock Park tucked away on a gravel road. Or take the Lund Water Taxi to Savary Island for some of the best sandy beaches in BC. Prefer fresh water? Try Mowat or Haywire Bay on Powell Lake, or one of the many smaller lakes in the region.

4. Hiking. Whether it's a stroll down historic Willingdon Beach Trail or a hike on the 180 km Sunshine Coast Trail, we have a path for every ability. Inland Lake's circumnavigating trail is wheelchair accessible. Stop by Breakwater Books or Coles to get Eagle Walz's books (Sunshine Coast Trail Guidebook and Along the Edge of the Salish Sea) about hiking in and around Powell River. They are a must! Also, stop by the Visitor Centre for maps and information.

3. Kayaking and canoeing. Powell River is a great destination for both kayaking and canoeing. Bring your own, or rent one when you get here. Choices include Skeeter Jacks, Powell River Sea Kayak, Alpha Adventures and Y-Knot. Each outfitter also offers lessons and guided tours. The Powell River Forest Canoe Route through pristine lakes is world famous. So are nearby ocean destinations such as Desolation Sound.

2. Boating on the chuck. Around here we call the ocean the salt chuck. The Westview Harbour is the perfect fueling, restocking, maintenance and jumping off for Coastal BC cruising to Desolation Sound and all points north along the inside passage. Nearby Lund also has a marina with fuel and moorage. Check out some of the exciting anchorages and marinas along the way in Wayne's book Up the Strait.

1. Heading up the lake. Powell Lake is a land-locked glacial carved fresh water fjord. I love living in a float cabin up the lake in Hole in the Wall. You can rent a float cabin or houseboat to experience life on the lake for yourself. You can also read about off the grid living on Powell Lake in Up the Lake and Farther Up the Lake by Wayne J. Lutz at www.PowellRiverBooks.com.

Stop at the Tourism Powell River Visitor Centre in the Crossroads Village Shopping Centre next to Quality Foods on Mondays through Fridays 9:00-5:00. They will give you great tips about our wonderful community. Pick up a free Powell River Living magazine or buy a Powell River PEAK to see what's happening around town. Need more reasons to come? Visit the Tourism Powell River website. I'll see you here soon! -- Margy

Ouch! That Stings!

Yesterday I shared information about hornets nesting near our cabin. When our friends John and Mr. Hat came to visit, Mr. Hat got stung by a hornet. Hornets are very aggressive in defending their nest. Mr. Hat learned that the hard way. The stinger is a modified ovipositor and, unlike bees, wasps and hornets can sting multiple times. When we got back to the cabin I got out The Doctors Book of Home Remedies to see what was the best course of action.

Mr. Hat (and I) were a little worried that there might be a bad reaction, but fortunately it was mild. The venom injected causes sharp, instantaneous burning pain followed by continued pain, redness, swelling and itching. In normal situations, the discomfort can last from hours to a day.

What did the book suggest?

• Don't get stung. Easier said than done. Wear white, don't wear perfume, take zinc, oil your skin and/or run for shelter or water.
  
• Don't smash the wasp or hornet. If the venom sack is broken it releases a chemical that incites the others to attack.

Well, too late for that. What next?

• Wash the site with soap and water.
• Use ice to reduce swelling.
• Apply an antiseptic.

What about the pain?

• If you are not allergic to aspirin, moisten the skin and rub a tablet over the site to neutralize the venom.
• Apply heat or use a hair dryer over the site.
  
• Apply household ammonia (also available as commercial towelettes for stings).
• Use a paste made from baking soda and water.
• As strange as it sounds, apply meat tenderizer.
• If nothing else is available, apply mud and let it dry.

I am not a medical expert. If at any time the victim is having difficulty breathing or experiences extreme swelling, seek immediate medical assistance. Stings can be fatal for individuals with allergic reactions.

Keep your eyes and ears open this time of year. Prevention is worth a pound of cure. -- Margy