Life on the Farm (Week 26)

We were pretty jazzed last night while trellising and pruning tomatoes and cucumbers. Fruit on the vines! And peppers, in the same high tunnel, with pint-sized peppers. They are coming right along; soon, soon. And we were able to work right alongside a beautiful bumble who had found the bounty in the high tunnel; you can hear those gals a mile away! The perfect tomato pollinator.

Salad turnip are another story. These crisp, little, sweet, pearly white beauties took quite a hit from pests due to repeated row cover blow-off with storms. Major crop failure was noted last week during harvest; much exclaiming was heard. We are hopefully saving a handful for CSA produce subscription folks to try, then they will return in Fall for all.

The weather brought 3 more hard storms to the Farm; heavy winds Friday/Saturday and lots of water. The soil has sent up a white flag for the week. We are hard pressed to get any transplants or seeds in.

But on the flip side, lots of warmth and moisture means growing! Weeds or crops, they both love the temps and water. Friday was an adventure in finding the carrot seedlings amongst the tomato-volunteer seedlings from last year— thousands of them!

In the Market, you will find similar springtime items— Salad mix, spinach, lettuce, radish, mints, herbs. The hanging flower baskets are doing their job in the high tunnel, but can always brighten a new home.

Ordering will be open from Sunday morning until Monday 8pm. Get your orders in now so harvesting can begin specific to your requests.

Deliveries will be made Wednesday per usual to your chosen Dropsite Location .

Recipes for your consideration

Gluten-free Double Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies

1 cup coconut oil
1 ¼ cup evaporated cane juice
1/3 cup homemade applesauce (see below) or store-bought unsweetened applesauce
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed or alkalized)
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
2-4 Tbsp minced peppermint leaves
1 ½ cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour
¼ cup flax meal
1 tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp xanthan gum
1 cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together oil, evaporated cane juice, applesauce, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla and mint in one bowl. In second bowl, whisk together flour, flax, baking soda, and xanthan gum. Using rubber spatula, add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine until dough is formed. Gently fold in the chocolate chips just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Using a melon baller, scoop the dough onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing portions 1 inch apart. Gently press each with the heel of your hand to help them spread. Bake the cookies on a center rack for 14min, rotating sheet 180 degrees after 9min. (Finished cookies will be crisp on the edge and soft in the center.

Let the cookies stand on the sheets for 10min, then transfer to wire rack and cool completely before covering. Store in airtight container at room temp up to 3 days.

Homemade applesauce:
Step 1, Bake ’em—
2 lbs peeled, cored, diced 1" apples of the tart variety (Granny Smith or ½:1/2 with Pink Lady)
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
½ cup agave nectar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice

Toss all together in a bowl until well coated. Spread evenly on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 325F for 35min, rotate baking sheet 180 degrees at 20min for even roasting. Remove and let sit 30min.

Step 2, Blend ’em—
Roasted apples
¼ cup agave nectar
1 cup hot water

Place all in food processor or blender; blend until smooth.
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And an Everything Peashoots from Britian website suggestion from KAH. I guess the Brits are nutty for peashoots!

Did You Know…

Not all fruits and vegetables are stored the same way, ideally.

Cornell put together a nice article with chart that helps us understand the differences.

And to take it a step further into how produce takes a turn for the worse, here is an article that talks a little bit about how produce breathes (i.e. respires) and the gas/hormone they give off that influences themselves and others near them.

A FarmWLIG member has reviewed the Biofresh Bags and glows about them. Other similar products are: Clearly Fresh , Peak Fresh , Debbie Meyer , Evert Fresh, Ethylene Gas Guardian, Extra Life.

Produce Subscription Highlights

Anticipated this week for the CSA produce subscription boxes:

Radish
Salad turnips (maybe a handful)
Head lettuce
Salad mix
Tatsoi (Vitamin Green)
Spinach
Broccoli
Parsley
Chives
Cilantro (maybe)
Pea shoots (maybe)

Start your meal planning now!

We hope to feed you soon!

Roger and Lara

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