DOORSTEP HARVEST NEWSLETTER 4/14/2012
Happy April! As with all new foods, it is wise to try small amounts of a new thing to test for any negative reaction. Every body is unique!
News from the garden- This week we have very light harvest from new asparagus bed. Looks like tasting quantities of strawberries soon as green berries are grown and waiting to turn to red! There may be tasting amounts of two varieties of plums later this summer. The mulberries are looking early too. Gooseberries, crandals, apricots and peaches are getting bigger every day. Surprise, the grape vine set fruits this year (last year there were no grapes because Mom pruned it wrong.) Black berries are budding. Potatoes planted last week rotted already, will try again soon with new batch. Green beans are up but I am concerned about the cool weather may hurt them too??? Parsnips have not germinated yet so may replant these as well. Spinach is up and may be ready for next week’s delivery. Peas are growing well. Beets are up. Tomato seedlings and peppers under the grow light are still looking good and some seed direct sown is up under hoop house shelter. Passiflora incarnate (Passionflower or Maypop) popped out of the ground last week a month early! Scapes off of garlic may be ready for next week’s delivery.
Sorry, no wikifacts this week… This week in your delivery you will find:
**Asparagus: I love it baked drenched in olive oil and some salt in the oven at 350 until the ends are crisped.
*Dandelion: use recipe in last delivery.
**Spring Onion: Enjoy in the salad or in asian green stir fry!
**Stinging Nettle: Use gloves to prepare. See enclosed recipe for “Nettle Garlic Buttermilk Biscuits”
*Salad Mix Bag: Contains 3 different mixes for you to make your own blend. Tastes good to add any of the culinary herbs to it and tea herbs of licorice mint and peppermint.
“Micro Greens” (contains Brasiccas).
“Red Oak Leaf” lettuce
Baby Lettuce Mix (No known Brasiccas, but cannot guarantee).
*Stir Fry Bag: Shred and cook separately or together.
Kale
Chard (related to beets)
Baby Asian Greens (barasacas)
. **Black Walnuts: Last of the harvest. Please wear Gloves as the husks stain fingers. Can save husk and use for dye or stain.
*Tea Herbs (Lemon balm, Peppermint, Yarrow, comfrey, Licorice mint (hyssop)): Keep sealed in fridge to use fresh for several days or open plastic zip bag and lay on counter (in paper bag) to dry for later use. For tea, make infusion by pouring boiling water over herb and let stand until cool enough to drink. May add honey or stevia to sweeten.
-Peppermint can be added to salads, made into tea, or used in Asian cooking.
-Lemon balm calms stomach disturbances, and soothes the nerves. Enjoy is as a soothing tea (add boiling water to crushed leaves). It may also be used in your salad mix.
-Yarrow
-Comfrey is not good for you if used in great quantities over a long period of time, However, If used in small quantites, it is very beneficial to bones and tendons. The amounts that we’re giving are in not even ¼ of the recommended required medicinal dosage and therefore well below the max dose. As with all foods, sample first to see how your body responds.
*Culinary Herbs (sage, thyme chives, and fennel**): Culinary herbs are used also for herb tea.
Sage can be used for seasoning sausage, lamb, and meats… Thyme is used same as oregano and good in tomato sauce or on pizza. Warning: herbs are not washed in order to preserve flavor. Wash before immediate use (although some sources discourage washing herbs ever.
*/** Flower bouquet: Peony bud, Rose bud, Spirea, Salvia, Iris, Tamarisc, Smokebush, Star of Bethleham.
*Organically grown in my urban forest garden
** Grown in my gardens in the country at Grandma’s house. Most of the time it is organic and sometimes it is wild crafted.