this is the other area

I think the physical qualities of your garden areas will work for raised beds. However, your success will depend largely on what kind of sun exposure you have. What's the orientation of your garden areas? Welcome to AZ! You've survived your first half of a summer!!!

The first area (with the ac unit) looks like it would get more light necessary to grow the cool season veggies you mentioned.

I grow swiss chard, Italian kale, snap peas, golden beets, green onions, and garlic in a raised bed from Oct-Apr.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage take up a lot of space in a raised bed. Local gardening guru Dave Owens' book Extreme Gardening is a good resource.
A good option for lettuce is a 'salad table' (pictured).

thanks for the input guys. that lettuce bed looks amazin. i was thinking that the ac unit lot area better fit my needs as well. maybe start there n summer add the other side

Unless one of those gardens runs east to west and is on the south side of the house no way you will get 8 hours of direct sunlight.

Painting the block and house white would help reflect more light into the area. It may be possible to position reflective steel sheets to direct light in there as well.

But I am not optimistic. If it doesn't work then there are limited numbers of herbs, flowers, veggies and fruits that will fruit in partial shade.