Too Many Vegetables

“What are we going to do with all of these?” Patrick asked.

“I love zucchini, but this is ridiculous,” Dad said. He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

In May, Patrick and his dad had put out six tiny zucchini plants. Now huge leaves crowded one another. Dozens of zucchini as long as Patrick's arm hid underneath. Patrick and Dad's first vegetable garden was an amazing success.

“Remember how everyone welcomed us to the neighborhood when we moved in?” Patrick said. “Let's give a zucchini to each of the neighbors.”

Dad lifted a fuzzy leaf to show even more zucchini. “Better make it two.”  

They weeded the garden that afternoon and staked the tomato plants. Then Patrick picked the zucchini. He delivered them, still warm from the sun, to the neighbors.

The next day Mrs. Gianelli came to the front door. She carried a large foil-covered baking pan.

“Hi, Mrs. Gianelli,” said Patrick. “What's this?”

“Zucchini parmesan,” she said. “My grandmother's recipe. I wanted to thank you for the lovely vegetables. I had enough to make two full pans.”

Soon the rest of the neighbors arrived. They each brought their own favorite zucchini creations. There was salsa, fritters, quiche, soup, and even bread.

“The bread is made with sugar, raisins, and walnuts,” Mr. Binsky said. “It's a dessert.”

Eyes wide, Dad shook his head. “Look at all this food!”  

“Let's have a picnic,” Patrick suggested.

“I'll whip up a batch of zucchini juice.”

“Excuse me?” Mrs. Gianelli said.

“Just kidding,” said Patrick. “I'll make lemonade.”

The neighbors paraded outside to the deck with their zucchini dishes. Dad passed out paper plates, forks, and napkins. As everyone talked and laughed and ate, they exchanged recipes. After the feast, Patrick made another pitcher of lemonade. Mr. Binsky served the zucchini bread.

Then Patrick joined Dad at the edge of the garden. New flowers had burst into bloom on the tomato plants since that morning. Each yellow flower meant one red, ripe tomato. Dad winked at Patrick. They smiled at everyone enjoying the zucchini picnic.

“I guess you can never have too many vegetables,” Dad said.

“Or neighbors!” said Patrick.