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| Sylvia's photo of front hayfield |
We actually have a lot going on in the fields and pastures this year. In our front hayfield we currently have 5 pigs who will be assisting us in working up the field. If there's one thing hogs like to do, it's rutting in the ground. Since we're running out of space for produce, we need to utilize that field, which probably hasn't seen anything other than bromegrass for about 20 years. I'll first chisel plow the field and later we'll let the pigs loose on it! Nice thing is that they fertilize while they work. Starting this spring we now have a family milk cow in the back pasture plus a calf - exciting because bovines are new to us. Throw in the bees behind the barn and our small flock of sheep, there's a whole lot of life going on out there! Like the pigs working up the front field, the key to all these animals on a vegetable farm is that they integrate well into the operation to support the fertility of the fields so plants are healthy, and, in turn, the crops feed the animals. It's a beautiful thing.
In the box:
Basil: Please don't refrigerate unless you like black basil. There are two schools of thought to keep basil. One, treat it like a flower; cut the end and put in a shallow vase. Two, wrap in a damp paper towel and keep in an open plastic bag to retain moisture.
French Breakfast Radishes
Snap Peas: These are edible pod peas, so don't shell them, just eat them
Strawberries: These aren't the prettiest of berries, but I think the flavor's there.
Dino Kale: A nice dark green kale...my favorite which Mar will make into kale chips - great. See recipe below from Simply in Season
Zucchini Summer Squash
Green Onions
Green Leaf Lettuce
Kohlrabi: Funny looking bulb. Many simply peel, slice, and eat raw...can be added to salads like a radish.
Savory Kale
(page 203 for those with cookbook)
1 onion, thinly sliced: In a large frypan saute in 1-2 T olive oil over medium heat until brown and crisp, not just soft. Remove to a serving dish.
1 bunch of fresh kale or swiss chard: Stack leaves, roll together and slice about 1/4 inch thick. Saute in frypan for 1 minute.
Several tablespoon and 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste: Add, cover, reduce heat and steam until tender. Add water as needed. Kale cooks in 10-15 minutes; swiss chard cooks a bit faster. When greens are tender, drain in colander. Return onions to pan and heat to sizzling.
1 T tomato paste: Add and stir. When this mixture is hot, return the greens to the pan. Mix, heat through, and serve.
