These greens are kaler, dude! Spring greens are abundant at the Farm right now; great for your immune system and refreshing on a hot day. Along with chopped green garlic and the first of the spring radishes and Hakurei Turnips, you'll be able to make the best Taco Salad ever! Another easy idea for the heartier greens is to tear up a handful onto your dinner plate and put your warm meal on top (rice and beans, pasta, roasted veggies, grilled meat, etc...). This "wilts" the greens just slightly and perfectly while adding some crunch to your meal. Spring greens are Mother Nature's vitamins and are especially nutrient dense this time of the season as they thrive in cool weather. See last week's "Farm Happening" for good ideas for yummy things to make with Spinach and Bok Choi. Enjoy these while they last for such a limited time!
The Green Garlic was planted last fall and is extremely happy in these wet spring conditions. Green garlic is the stage before the root forms into bulbs. In this green stage, please chop and eat similar to scallions or leeks. Start chopping at the base white part and on up to the lighter green parts. The green leafy parts can be used to soak for stew stock.
This is also a great time to enjoy our heritage grains grown and harvested right here at Aspen Moon late last Fall. These Heritage whole wheats are varieties that you won't find in stores and they are packed with flavor and protein that has been lost in mainstream wheat. Many people find heritage wheats to be much more digestible than mainstream wheat. The flours are great in pancakes, muffins, pie crust, and added to sourdough breads. The wheat berries can be cooked in place of rice or farro for a nice grain salad or added to soups. Our heirloom cornmeal is so special and makes the best cornbread ever! It is also great added to scones, muffins, pancakes, or used for a hearty porridge with just a bit of maple syrup.
On the Farm this week, we have been busy planting.... Peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes went into the field last week, all in one day. Celery and celeriac are planted. Lots of roots have been seeded several times. Potatoes and onions already progressing. Peas are growing strong. Melons go out next week! The cows and sheep are munching down the lush cover crop in the large field right there on Hygiene road and they look happy and incredibly picturesque! These animals do so much for the soil and we are so very grateful for their contribution.
