Share #6, July 23, 2011

Our farm cats know what to do when it's hot! They spent most of the week in this spot and with this degree of animation. Hope you found a way to keep cool!


IN THE BOX:

Lettuce - two heads
Green or Yellow Beans
Carrots
Beets
Kohlrabi
Hakurei Turnips
Russian Kale
Asian Greens
Zucchini or Summer Squash
Scallions - new patch
Arugula - new patch


FROM THE FROG HOLLER RECIPE BOX:

Are you eying your box of veggies and not really feeling like cooking? Well, you could make a crisp and tasty snack plate with carrots, Hakurei turnips and kohlrabi. Peel and slice the kohlrabi, then arrange with slices of turnips and carrot spears. Serve with a bowl of Holler Hummus and you have a tasty no-cook snack/meal. The beets could be grated with carrots and tossed with your favorite cole slaw dressing for a vibrant fresh side dish. The lettuce, scallions and arugula team up for a mid-summer salad dressed with Blueberry Dressing: a creation from intern Tacy, and a delicious response to the fresh crop of blueberries showing up in the market now. Check out the Arugula postings in the Recipe Box for other creative ways to use this flavorful salad herb. And if you haven't tried Massaged Kale, a no-cook way to prepare this nutritious green, maybe this is the week!

Now let's see what's left. Well, you do have some greens after topping the turnips and beets (you did keep the greens, didn't you?). How about a stir-fry with chopped garlic, scallions and turnip and beet greens, along with the asian greens. Add some tofu chunks if you like and when the greens are tender, serve with a very tasty no-cook Thai Peanut Sauce. Or try this simple and delicious recipe for baby bok choy; the tat soi (asian greens) in your share will work just as well. Staying in the Asian cuisine mode, this Hakurei turnips recipe calls for some cooking, but not too much, and your efforts will be well worth it!

Okay, everything is chopped, sliced or stir-fried except that sweet little box of beans. Well, the Recipe Box doesn't know what to do with them, but I'll bet you do!


Chrissy, Angie, Kirstin off to collect the garlic

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:
This week we tried to work with the heat: starting field work in the (relatively) cooler morning and reserving the afternoons for work that could be done in the shade. We finished cleaning the garlic and removed it from the greenhouse where it was plenty dried and cured. We starting picking some new patches - beets, arugula, scallions, lettuce and said good by to cilantro, dill and the first beets. (There
will be more coming). We eyed the first tomatoes starting to color up.

garlic cleaning party





















Angie Martin, Frog Holler Farm Beet Queen of 2011!









Angie beats the heat washing carrots



MEET THE INTERNS: BRETTON FOBES Bretton with a shower of flowers


Bretton grew up in Pleasant Lake, Michigan,
and is returning to the area after two+ years in Cincinnati working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician at a large practice in the city. As a long-time friend, along with her family, of Frog Holler, Bretton thought about working at the farm as part of her "decompress from the city" transition. She joined us in June, dividing her time between Frog Holler and her mom's mini-farm in Pleasant Lake.

Bretton grew up helping out with her family's large garden and taking care of the numerous animals around the homestead. Her family has fostered many animals over the years, as well as providing a loving home for up to 15 cats, three ponies, various chickens and ducks, bunnies, pygmy goats, some fish and gerbils, and of course family dogs. Bretton's love of animals and facility for taking care of them led her to seek a Bachelor of Science from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, with a Minor in Veterinary Technology. She graduated in 2007 and worked in the Lansing area before taking the job in Cincinnati.

Bretton's immediate plans remain open; she is considering taking additional training in a specialty area of veterinary technology. For now she loves being at Frog Holler - spending time outside, eating good food, and working with the plants. And she thinks it's pretty cool to work at a place where you can go swimming on your lunch break!

Well, Cincinnati's loss is our gain and we welcome Bretton back to the area, to the farm, and to our community!


Have a great week everyone - stay cool!


fun on the farm pond