Rain Can Be Both Good And Bad

Rain, rain, rain...that pretty much describes the weather pattern here and at the farm.  I know from weeding and working in  my yard that rain equals mud and mud equals not a lot of work being done.  I imagine the farm to be the same way.  I  know that it is difficult to even get in the fields and then difficult for the horses to get good footing in the mud.  Not to mention all the weeds that seems to spring up while you are standing there.  But Andy isn't complaining because the crops are looking good and the rain saves him from running the irrigation pump...which saves on gas and that saves  money.

Looks like more green beans and tomatoes in the next few weeks. This week there are leeks in our boxes.  They are a little milder in flavor that onions but can be cook about the same way you cook onions.

Hope you made your reservation for Farm Day this weekend!  Hope to see you there!

Recipe Of The Week: Cream Of Leek Soup

Cream Of Leek Soup

 

4 to 6 medium leeks

1/4 cup of butter

3 Tablespoons of flour

2 teaspoons of chopped chives

1/2 teaspoon of salt

6 cups of milk or light cream

2 chicken bouillon cubes (optional)

 

Thinly slice the leeks and discard the top green portion.  Saute the leeks in the butter for 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.  Stir in flour, chives, and salt.  Add the milk (or light cream) and, if desired, the bouillon.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup boils for one to two minutes.  Garnish servings with nutmeg if desired.

Lots of Hidden Goodness

This is just the top layer of the box.  There are zucchini and a big green pepper hiding in there.

 

Strawberry season came to an abrupt end with all the rain that they had on the farm last week.  But not to worry, the ever-bearing ones will be ready again in the fall when you least expect it.  All the rain caused the strawberries to rot and they probably went to the pigs or compost.  According to Andy everything else looks really good.  As soon as the ground dries out they will start planting melons, cucumbers, beans, beets, and more tomatoes.  So you can see that there is not much down time on the farm.

Recipe Of The Week: Green Bean Bake

Green Bean Bake

 

8 cups of green bean pieces ( 1 inch)

1/4 cup of chopped onion

2 Tablespoons of oil

1 Tablespoon of vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons of salt

1/8 teaspoon of pepper

2 Tablespoons of dry bread crumbs

2 Tablespoons of parmesan cheese

1 Tablespoon of melted butter

 

Cook beans in water for about 5 minutes.  Drain and toss with the onion, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Pour into a two quart casserole dish.  Combine the remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the top.  At 350 degrees, bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes.

 

Yummy



Boxes Are Filling Up

More and more produce is ripening up.  Tomatoes are starting to ripen in the greenhouse.  Peas are still on the menu but just not quite ready yet.  And it looks like the green beans are beginning to ripen as well.

In case you are wondering, as I was the first time those green curly things showed up in my box...the are garlic scapes.  They can be used just as you would use you would a green onion.  The dark green, purple stemmed vegetable is kale.

Just another reminder that Cedarmore Farm Day is coming up on Saturday, June 28th.  An invitation is being extend to everyone that reads this blog.  Highland Haven Farm (Lizzie's brother, Adam and sister-in-law, Iva's  farm) will also have Visit The Farm Day on the same day.  Highland Haven is the farm that has the dairy products, meat chickens and turkeys.  They are only 1/2 mile down the lane.  We will meet at Highland Haven Farm at 11:30 and have a potluck lunch at noon.  They will be providing steak burgers and lemonade.  If you would like to join them for lunch they ask that you bring along a dish of some sort to share.  It could be a desert or some other side dish.  Also please bring tableware for your family as well as folding chairs.  Please take a moment to sign up to attend so Adam will know how many burgers to throw on the grill. 

 

 RSVP to www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0A4AA5AA2FA2F94-day/17798748

 At 1pm there will be a speaker, Dr. Renee Norton and she will be speaking on nutrition, diet and good fats vs bad fats.

If you would just rather wait and come to Cedarmore Farm Day come at 2pm and that is fine.  We will be touring the farm, and taking buggy and wagon rides.  Andy would love to talk to you about the growing methods that he uses on the farm as well as the animals and the jobs the do.

Cameras are welcomed but please respect the Amish and their religious beliefs and not take any pictures of them. Anything else on the farm is perfectly fine to take shots of.  And believe me when I say how hard it is to not get a shot of those sweet children that will be running around.  Since there will still be shores to do on the farm we will need to say good-bye to our new friends at 4:00PM.

Mark your calendars and we hope to see you on Saturday, June 28th.

Recipe Of The Week: Strawberry-Kale Smoothie

Strawberry-Kale Smoothie

 

1 quart of milk

1 quart of strawberries (topped)

1 handful of kale leaves (your choice)

1 pint of cream

2 bananas

sweetener (optional)

 

 

Put milk and cream in blender.  Add strawberries and bananas.  Blend.  Add kale and blend until texture suits you.  Add sweetener for taste. (You can also use maple syrup and stevia as sweeteners)  Share and enjoy.

 

I made mine with out the milk and cream.  And I added a handful of ice cubes.  I think I will go a little lighter on the kale the next time.

A Week Behind

I am a week behind because of vacation and no internet connections available in the cabin.  But now we are getting back on track!

Strawberries seems to be doing week at this time.  We got two quarts in our boxes this week (my older kids ate them all before I could even see them), since it was peak week.  Next week we will be back to our one quart per CSA box.  However, there are some extra strawberries that will be available for us to buy for next week.  If ordering some please remember to order them by mailing Rue with your order at least three days in advance at cedarmorefarm@gmail.com.  Strawberries are $4.00 a quart or if you order 8 or more then they will be $3.50.

Just to clarify a few things....this is how the CSA works.

Generally whatever is in season is what will be in our boxes.  When yield is up we will get more.  When yield is down unfortunately we will get less.  However, since Cedarmore is a 'multiple farm' CSA.  They do not always use all the produce grown by the other farmers.  For example they have two or three farmers in the area that grow strawberries.  They sell to other outlets besides Cedarmore Farm.  So with strawberries they have their normal one quart per box if supply is available.  The last two seasons they have been able to do two quarts in our boxes during peak season.  They consider that a good year when they can provide us with two quarts in our boxes. 

So if you would like to get a few more strawberries just remember to email Rue and he will get the message to Andy and Lizzie.

Recipe Of The Week: Strawberry Pudding Pie

Strawberry Pudding Pie

 

4 ounces of softened cream cheese

1 Tablespoon of milk

1 Tablespoon of sugar

1 Tablespoon of lemon juice

8 ounces of frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided

1 graham cracker pie crust

2 cups of strawberries, halved

2 cups of cold milk

2 packages (4 serving size) of vanilla or lemon pudding

 

Beat cream cheese, 1 Tablespoon of milk and sugar in a medium bowl with a wire whisk until smooth.  Stir in juice.  Stir in 1/4 cup of whipped topping.  Spread evenly on the bottom of the crust.  Press strawberries into this.  Pour 2 cups into a large bowl.  Add pudding mixes.  Beat with a wire whisk for 1 minute.  Let stand for 1 minute until thickened.  Gently stir in remaining topping.  Spoon over strawberries.  Refrigerate for four hours or until set.