Harvest Monday - 11.2.09 - A Bunch of BS

Brussels Sprouts

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Serranos & Tomatillos
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Nasturtium Seeds
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Kale
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Bye Bye 2009 Garden. :o(

Yesterday was such a nice day that Jason & I spent 5 hours doing some fall yard clean up. That included pulling all my plants except my perennials, planting my garlic bulbs for next year & moving my lavender & blanketflower to a new location. And I must say I don't like this dark out at 6:00 stuff. It's very depressing.

Work Smirk

Well, work isn't my favorite place right now. Truly, I didn't mind my job. I mean, yes, it was always somewhat mind numbing & soul sucking, but I didn't HATE it. I have worked there for over 8 1/2 years and they have become like my family. Some of them are even closer than family. Though I would LOVE working from home in my fleece pajama pants (and that's still my life goal) I was ok with my job. It worked. I had my bad days, but who didn't?

In this economy (especially in Elkhart) companies have had to make a lot of changes to survive. We are no different. Changes have been made. Changes are being made. Changes will be made. Some good. Some bad. Some just are. Some people are gone. Some people will be gone by year end. New people are here. A different way of doing things. It's hard. It's hard because I don't like change (but who does?). It's hard because I kinda miss some people. I know I am going to miss people who will be gone but aren't yet. It's hard because I don't like new people. It's also exciting in some strange way.

I will prevail. I am thankful I still have a job (especially since Jason just got a job in August after 10 months of unemplopyment). It's definitely a moment/time to remember. I like moments to remember. It reminds me I am alive and that I am not just sitting here on auto pilot.

I guess I don't really know the point of this post. Sorry.

P.S. What is it about men from Scotland? Specifically Gerard Butler & Ewan McGregor. I think maybe I'll move to Scotland. And I like the name Ewan.

P.P.S. I want to have chickens next year. Totally random I know. Hello ADD, how are you today?

Serranos to spare

And a few Jalapenos. I also have 4 almost red Serranos and 16 completely red Serranos. Yeah. I've got enough Serranos alright.

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The garden is mostly done, except some Kale & Brussels Sprouts.

Pretty much the end

Well, I pretty much picked all of the remaining tomatoes. The plants are looking pretty ugly. I still have some peppers out there but they will be picked by Sunday for sure. It's looking to be a pretty cold & windy weeked. I will now get on my sweatpants & wrap myself in a blanky & I'll see you in April. :o)

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In all seriousness I will be making another double batch of Apple Butter (14 more pint sized jars) & some delicious & spicy chili this weekend. And also some Vegetable Soup. Should be fun!

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For now, It's lazy a Friday night.

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P.S. The above box contains: Brussels Sprouts, Sugar Snack Tomatoes, Yellow Pear Tomatoes, Yellow Boy Tomatoes, Thessaloniki Tomatoes, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Banana Peppers, Jalapenos, Serranos, Red Serranos, Anaheim Peppers, 1 almost Red Anahaim Pepper, Cubanelle Peppers, Nasturtium Seeds, Tomatillos & some Dried Beans.

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Happy Friday!!!

Recuelli (Radish Top) Soup

Through my co-op I was able to purchase a Recuelli Soup Kit. Basically you pay 1 price for all the ingredients that go into making the soup (radish tops, radishes, potatoes & onions) & the recipe. I had never had Recuelli Soup & since I love soup so much I decided to buy the "kit" & make it.

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This soup was very easy to make & takes only about 45 min. from 1st chop to tummy & 30 min. of that is the soup simmering. I am not the hugest radish fan so I was a little hesitant but my hesitation was completely unnecessary. I thought this soup was excellent! Plus it also freezes well & who doesn't love a good homemade local soup in the middle of winter?

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Recuelli (Radish Top) Soup

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2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, chopped

8 small-medium potatoes, cut into cubes

6 cups raw radish greens

8 cups vegetable broth

salt & pepper

radishes for garnish

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In your soup pot, saute onions in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add the garlic & saute for 1 min. Mix in the potatoes, radish greens & vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, & simmer for 30 min.

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Allow the soup to cool slightly & blend in a blender until smooth (I had to blend mine in batches). Return to your soup pot & heat through. Season with salt & pepper. Serve with radish slices if desired.

Highlights of a Farmer's Market Trip

I haven't been the the Farmer's Market since May. Between the CSA & the Co-op I haven't really needed to. I did drive out there yesterday because I had a craving for a Spinach & Mushroom Quesadilla. While I was there getting the spinach & mushrooms I bought a few other delicious yummies.
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Michigan grown grapes. Being in extreme north central Indiana a lot of local food is from Michigan. They smell delicious & taste delicious too! Anyone know how to make wine?
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A really big leek.
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3 giant red peppers. They were 3 for $2 so I dug & found the 3 biggest peppers I could find.
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3 cayenne peppers, 3 spanish spice peppers, 4 sweet orange peppers & 2 tiny habaneros.

Harvest Monday 9.14.09

Go visit Daphne's blog for lots of other delicious garden harvest pictures, after you enjoy mine of course! :o)

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9.6.09 - 1 green beefsteak tomato (6.25oz.), 1 red beefsteak tomato (6.1oz.), 1 thessloniki tomato (7.75oz.), 2 lemon boy tomatoes (10.5oz.), 4 san marzano tomatoes (6.65oz.), handful of yellow pear tomatoes, 2 purple tomatillos (0.6 oz., hiding in there somewhere), zelma zesta green beans (8.75oz.) & dean's purple green beans (22.05oz.).

9.6.09 - ground cherries.

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9.7.09 - sugar snack tomatoes, brussels sprouts (3.75oz.) & arugula seed pods.

9.7.09 - 2 zucchinis (21.6oz.), lemon verbena & lemon balm.

9.8.09 - 2 san marzano tomatoes (3.7oz.), zelma zesta green beans (2.85oz.), dean's purple green beans (4oz.), sugar snack tomatoes, yellow pear tomatoes, 3 beefsteak tomatoes (44.75oz.), 2 black from tula tomatoes (11.2oz.), 1 lemon boy tomato (5.2oz.), 2 paprika peppers (4.9oz.) & 2 anaheim peppers (3.35oz.).

9.9.09 - yellow pear & sugar snack tomaoes.

9.9.09 - garlic chives, basil & oregano.

9.10.09 - zelma zesta green beans (1.7oz.), dean's purple green beans (3.45oz.), 1 teeny tobasco pepper (0.03oz.), nasturtium seeds, sugar snack tomatoes, yellow pear tomatoes, 1 purple tomatillo (.95oz.), 2 san marzano tomatoes (3.2oz.)& 1 zucchini (10.9oz.).

9.10.09 - basil & chives.

9.11.09 - 2 black from tula tomatoes (7.45oz.) & yellow pear tomatoes.

9.13.09 - 2 squash blossoms, 2 zucchini (20.5oz.), zelma zesta green beans (2.8oz.), dean's purple green beans (6.9oz.), yellow pear tomatoes & 7 beautiful thessaloniki tomatoes (53.6oz.).

9.14.09 - 2 zucchini (21.85oz.), 3 tomatillos (1.75oz.), yellow pear tomatoes, sugar snack tomato & 3 red serrano peppers (1.4oz.).

9.14.09 - basil.

Colorful Harvesting

8.11.09

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8.12.09

8.13.09

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8.14.09

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8.15.09

8.17.09

8.18.09

8.19.09

8.20.09

8.21.09

8.21.09

8.22.09

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8.22.09

8.24.09

8.25.09

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8.26.09

8.28.09

8.31.09

9.1.09

9.4.09

It's about Frickin Time!!!

1.738 lbs of deliciousness!!!

Jason's Local Meal - Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana

makes 6 Jason sized servings

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1 lb. ground italian sausage (FF)

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 onion, diced (PP)

1/4 lb. bacon (or 6-7 strips), chopped in pieces (FF)

4 garlic cloves, diced (PP)

10 cups water

8 tbsp better then boullion chicken flavor

1 cup whole milk (FF)

10 very small potatoes, sliced into bite sized pieces (CSA)

1 small bunch of kale, approx. 5-6 leaves, large stems removed & chopped (CSA)

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Saute the sausage & red pepper flakes in a soup pot. Remove with a slotted spoon & set aside.

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In the same pot saute the bacon & onions until the bacon is browned & the onions are translucent. Add in the garlic & saute 1 min.

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Add in the water & better then boullion. Stir it up. Add in the potatoes & cook until the potatoes are soft. About 30 min.

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Add the milk & italian sausage, stir & heat through.

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Add the kale & cook for approx. 5 min to wilt the kale.

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Enjoy topped with some fresh grated parmesan cheese.

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**Selina's Local Food Legend**

FF = Family Farms Co-Op

PP = Purple Porch Co-Op

CSA = Plowshares Farm

Local Goodies This Week

Purple Porch Co-op 8.12.09: Cantaloupe, Dill (in the pink glass, for canning), Blackberries, Edamame, Tomatoes, Okra & a Green Pepper. The lady that I got the okra from felt bad that there wasn't exactly a pint of Okra so she threw in a green pepper. I love the Co-Op! This was less then $20.
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P.S. Sorry about the junk on my table. I didn't feel like cleaning it up! :)
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Family Farms Co-op 8.12.09: Milk, Sour Cream, Italian Sausage, 2 pkgs bulk Italian Sauage, Bacon, Chuck Roast, Ground Beef & Chorizo. This cost $62.75 & will last Jason over a month, well except for the milk. I love Michelle & her family. Her kids saw me coming & remembered who I am. I love it! That never happens at the grocery store.

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Plowshares Farm CSA 8.13.09: Potatoes, 1 Onion, 3 Green Peppers, Kale, 3 Yellow Squash, 2 snake like cucumbers, Lettuce, 1 Pickle, Garlic, 2 Cucumbers & 1 large Zucchini. $20/box.

Fruits & Veggies - Still Photography

1st Picked

. Tomatillo Love
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Enjoying Yummy Cantaloupe

A Sandwich, CSA Goodies & More Harvesting

Who needs a fancy sub shop? Not me! Whole wheat sub buns (local), Lettuce (CSA), Tomatoes (SG), Sweet Banana Pepper (SG), Lemon Cucumbers (SG), canned pickles (local) & white american cheese (not local, bummer).
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Selina's Food Legend:
CSA = Plowshares Farm
SG = Selina's Garden
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CSA Goodies: Eggs, Lettuce, 2 snake like cucumbers, 3 regular cucumbers, 6 ears of corn, 3 zucchini, 3 green peppers, 2 onions, potatoes, 5 yellow squash.
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Harvest 8.10.09: 7 Lemon Cucumbers (17.8 oz), Zelma Zesta Green Beans (9.1 oz.), Dean's Purple Green Beans (5.35 oz.), 1 San marzano Tomato (2.5 oz.), 1 Yellow Pear Tomato (not weighed), 1 Sweet Banana Pepper (1.35 oz.) & 2 Zucchinis (20.2 oz.).
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Harvest 8.9.09: Rhubarb (35.75 oz.). Pretty much what was left on the plant.

Yummy Summer Pasta Salad

2 cups cooked sea shells pasta

1 medium red onion, chopped (PP)

2 san marzano tomatoes, chopped (SG) (any tomato will work)

1 small zucchini, sliced thin (SG)

20 medium basil leaves, chiffonade (SG)

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (can sub. fresh mozzerella or omit completely)

salt & pepper

3 -4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 - 2 tbsp. olive oil

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Once your pasta is cooked rinse with cold water. Stir in all the veggies & cheese. Season with salt & pepper & stir in the vinegar & oil. Refridgerate for at least 1 hour.

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Eat & enjoy the summer!

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Selina's Local Food Legend

SG = Selina's Garden

PP = Purple Porch Co-op