As my guitar students would tell you, I'm all about economy of effort. I grew up on a small farm, but farming is a lot of work as you are well aware. So I buy produce when it is in season. I'll be canning salsa when I can buy tomatoes and peppers ridiculously cheap. Same with other stuff. The only things I'm growing this year are several different basils, thyme, rosemary on my deck right off the kitchen door.
Those hot cookies actually sound really good! My friend's Mom makes basil-lime cookies, they are to die for.
Did you try my Mexican cucumber salad? I learned this one when I was cooking in the Yucatan Peninsula on a mission trip. Make your regular cucumber salad (mine has sliced cucumbers, sliced onions, vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, you know the drill.) But then just before serving, add cubed watermelon...