My dad planted some squashes on the vacant lot next to our Cavite house sometime in April, a few days after our move-in. Months later, they started to bear fruits. They continued to supply us with fresh, organic squashes until last Monday when construction began at the lot they were occupying. Everyone in the family got sad, including the neighbors who have also benefited from them.
The good thing is, there are still a few more vegetables left growing in the little garden in front of our house. My parents enjoy planting new crops and tending on them on a daily basis. It serves as their unique form of exercise. The organic produce they get regularly not only improves their health, but also helps keep their food expenses to a minimum.
Whenever I visit my parents in Cavite, I get to enjoy savory dishes fresh from our little vegetable garden. Some of my favorites are adobong kangkong, ginataang sitaw at kalabasa or sauteed squash and string beans in coconut milk (not anymore!) and tortang talong. Simple things like this make living in the suburbs more fun and fulfilling. I’m glad we made the right choice.
As for the squashes, my dad texted yesterday that he was able to plant some at a neighbor’s garden, with the latter’s consent, of course. If that’s so, then my ‘eating squash’ days aren’t over yet.
Here in Manila, at the apartment where we are moving into, for instance, there’s very limited space to make growing vegetables possible. But I have friends who grow herbs and spices in pots outside their homes. Yeah, even if they have very limited space as well. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Now that’s ingenuity at work. 🙂
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