Hello Deer.
“If you are doing the right thing for the earth, she's giving you great company.”
~ Dr. Shiva Vandana
Look at who is popping up out of the ground with vigor and spirit? Candy onions! While we tend to them, many varieties of lettuce, garlic, asparagus, kale, arugula, radishes, asian greens, bok choi, spinach, rapini, leeks, peppers, tomatoes, basil, rosemary, mint, rainbow chard and many others, nature always throws a curve ball or several. One of our greenhouses was lovingly foraged by deer. We will just assume they are grateful for our hard work. He, he... We are finding fawns tucked into our cover rye and vetch as we attempt to work peacefully with these beauties. They really just got away with come mouths full of rainbow chard. Deer must love rainbows as much as we do. It is a good thing we planted a lot of it and in various areas. That said, the chard that is left standing in greenhouse three and the stuff in our new CAT house looks and tastes pretty amazing!
Earlier this spring, I was fortunate to go see Dr. Shiva Vandana speak at the Englert Theater. What an amazing woman and presence she is. She speaks to the importance of seed protection and how much women actually play a part in that if we band together with our sisters and our brothers to speak for this. Not just speak for this but to actually do something that encourages communities having the right to growing their own food however they see fit, with the pressures of big agriculture constantly posing curve balls. I was so very inspired by her and I hope you all have the chance to meet her or at least read some of her material. Or watch videos on youtube. Pure inspiration and motivation.
We, here at Echollective, are doing all we can to lead the charge here locally and our CSA members are every bit a part of it as we are with their intimate support and enjoyment of how it works from the ground up. Our market shoppers and those who look for us local grocery stores and New Pioneer Co-op are also hugely important to this way of life being restored. Thank you so much to all of you!
Now. This week's CSA share!
Spinach
Asaparagus
Arugula
Radishes
Mint
Head Lettuce
Braise Mix (Cooking greens)
Asian Greens
Spring Turnips
(Surely something else)
Usually, simple is a good way to start with a vegetable that you are not familiar with. Our Asian greens are either Vitamin Greens or Tokyo Bekana. Either way, to gain familiarity with the flavor you can taste a bit of it raw, which is delicious, and also cook a really simple side dish with it to give your taste buds a friendly introduction. :) Here is a simple recipe to get you started with them if you are not already integrating them into your meals.
1 bunch vitamin greens (washed, trimmed, and roughly chopped)
1/2 red onion (sliced)
1 tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil
salt and pepper
In
a wide Dutch oven or deep sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add
onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté, stirring frequently, until onions are
translucent and just begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add vitamin
greens and toss until the greens begin to wilt. Continue to cook,
stirring occasionally, until greens reach desired tenderness, about 5 to
10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Thanks, Cucina Girl!
http://www.cucinagirl.com/2010/12/vitamin-greens.html
And thank you again, to all of you who support us in supporting you full circle.
Your Echo Team
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