October 5, 2013- Share #13

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

Kale Surprise - either Curly or Russian. 

These apples have some heart!

Spinach 

Broccoli

Carrots

Beets

Sweet Potatoes 

Radishes

Garlic

Sage

Apples! 

 All items do best in a plastic bag in the fridge, except the garlic and sweet potatoes. Remove tops from beets and carrots for longest storage. 

Thank you for returning your boxes! All good things must come to an end, and for some of you this will be your final share. You may want to bring a bag and any old share boxes that may be collecting dust or propping up furniture around the house. If you aren't able to, no worries! Just return the box(es) to us when you can. 

NOTES FROM THE FROG HOLLER RECIPE BOX:

What better way to celebrate sweet potatoes and fall than with a festive soup? We made this one for a farm lunch and it was a hit. 

Pair it with a homemade biscuit!

Roasted Sweet Potato, Apple, and Sage Soup

Ingredients:

4 large sweet potatoes

3 tablespoon olive oil

1 small butternut squash, halved lengthwise with seeds removed

1 onion, diced

1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped

1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup apple cider

4 cups vegetable broth

dash of cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Wash and dry potatoes.  Place whole potatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Place squash cut side up on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Bake both for 40-45 minutes or until soft and cooked through.  Cut into 2-inch pieces when cool and set aside.

2. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a heavy soup pot over medium heat.  Add onions, ginger, apples, and sage and cook until onions are translucent. Mix in 1/4 cup apple cider and all the veggie broth.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer.  Cover and cook until the apples are soft, about 10-15 minutes.  Add the potato chunks and continue to simmer  another 15 minutes. Puree soup with an immersion blender. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mixing well.  Spoon into bowls, garnish with cinnamon and sage leaves.  

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

Back in the ‘70’s the farm had a cider press and was known for selling delicious organic apple cider around Ann Arbor. There were multiple apple trees throughout the land but they unfortunately haven't produced for years. But this year, without any attention or coddling, they were laden with fruit. This unexpected bounty has led to multiple days of fun hard work apple picking. 

Such great heights!

We needed a little help to reach the high ones so Billy helped out with the tractor. 

And back to earth again, safe and sound. 

Don't worry, no interns were injured in the pursuit of the perfect apple!

Billy bringing in the day's bounty after a long day.

(RE)MEET THE INTERNS: BRETTON FOBES AND THE FARM ANIMALS

Mondays and Fridays are always looked forward to on the farm as these are the days that our favorite part time returning intern Bretton joins us. This is the third season she has helped out after moving back to Michigan from Ohio, balancing her work week between the farm and a vet tech position in Okemos. Her professional expertise is occasionally needed on the farm and she repeatedly proves a good sport, such as recently helping clean and comfort a skunked and regretfully curious Cinder.

Naan, curry, pear chutney, samosa, and cucumber salad. Yum!

Bretton has been vegan for over a decade and has quite a collection of tasty vegan recipes. She occasionally treats us to her specialty, Indian food, like this feast she made the other day. Try out these Samosas some time!

Bretton hard at work bunching veggies for market.

An avid brewer, Bretton has become something of a brewing mentor to interns on the farm, and has provided invaluable guidance for beers, dandelion wine, and more. She’s currently brewing up some apple and pear cider! 

Beyond farming, animals, cooking, and brewing, this versatile intern is also an avid traveler with a great love of the Midwest. She spent most of her free time this summer roaming these beautiful states, enjoying everything from camping excursions in the wilderness to concerts in the city. 

We are so happy to have the help of this hard working, animated, life-loving and compassionate young woman!

Cinder is the newest addition to the farm and joined us mostly as a surprise.  A neighbor was looking for a happy home for her and dropped her off one day as a "trial". That trial quickly turned into a permanent stay as she bonded with everyone, especially Cathy, who she follows like a shadow. There was a bit of an adjustment at first as she adapted to life on a farm , but Colleen utilized her knowledge of training animals to help teach her not to trample the fields and to play nice with the cats. Now we couldn't imagine the farm without her!

Lionel, whose formal name is Lionel Bartholomew Kingsley I, is known as the king of the farm cats. He is accustomed to drinking only fresh running water, eating only the finest wet food, and generally asserting his arrogance by ignoring and/or bullying man and beast alike. If Lionel chooses your leg as a scratching post it is an honor. If he is indifferent to you it is an honor. If he allows you to pet him it is a gift. 

Norbert showed up on the farm two years ago with a gimpy leg and big personality. He has since healed and adopted the farm as his permanent home.Wild at heart, he occasionally disappears into the forest for days on unknown missions. When not on these expeditions he is most likely in the addition, sleeping on his favorite windowsill or stopping to smell the flower bouquets.

Gus is the ultimate cuddler and can most readily be found napping in the lap of an intern. Very fitting as the legend of his appearance involves dropping from a tree into the arms of a former intern. The farm has since embraced his presence, from his loving personality to his big purrs. He often joins us in the fields, always a cute distraction inspiring impromptu petting breaks!

Luna was found in the greenhouse three years ago and is the most elusive and mysterious of the farm cats. She is often spotted in the distance, yet disappears as soon as eye contact is made. When not on the run she is known to sleep on the printer in the house. On the rare occasions she tolerates human proximity and seeks affection we are rewarded by the soft purrs of this sweet, gentle lady.

Have a great week!

Natalie with the heart apple!