Well, the week is nearly finished, and the gardens have done well through the heat, rain and wind. The weeds have especially enjoyed the weather, and it looks like a second weeding is definitely in order for the week. I’m still picking, have maintenance to do to help the zucchini and yellow squash and need to do my baking. Let’s have a chat about chard. Many people are unfamiliar with it, and others recognize it. It is very much like spinach in that it is a thicker, crisp leaf with a slightly woody stem. What do you do with it? You can remove the stem and tear it for fresh salad. It is great sauteed. Just thinly slice the stems and sautee them in a little butter and oil (onions and garlic are options here). After those stems soften, tear or chop the leaves and add them just until they’re all wilted and warmed through. Finish with a drizzle of your choice of an acid (lemon or lime juice, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar). Then, you can top with a bit of Parmesan or other hard cheese that is finely grated. Or, if you’re not interested in those options, how about this? Use the leaves as a wrap! They’re sturdier, crispier, and more nutritious than using lettuce. I love making some chicken salad and wrapping it in chard leaves.
Let’s plan for 9:00-11:00 out front under the trees. There is definitely more variety, but the quantities are still low as plants are finally in a growth spurt. No pre-orders for tomorrow, please.
I’m still working and have not begun baking yet.
Menu:
1 Beets $3 per bundle with leaves
6 Blueberries $2.50 per half pound bag
Broccoli 1 @ 3/4 pound $3, 1 @ 1/2 pound $2
Kale 1 @ 3/4 bag $3
2 3/4 Peas 2@1 pound $3.50, 1@3/4 pound $3
3 Swiss chard $4 per bag
Zucchini .75 each (just a couple)
Yellow squash .75 each (a few)
Fresh herbs: basil, Italian parsley, cilantro, oregano, rosemary
Cut flowers $1 and $5 bundles
8 Lemon raspberry breads $4 per mini loaf
12 Cherry crisps $2 per single serving
Jams & pickled peppers $5 per pint jar
Chai latte mix $5 per refill bag
Potato soup mix $5 per jar (six servings)
Seasoned salt (regular, spicy, chili lime) $4 per jar
Edit: I also have some potted perennials
2 Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ $3 each
6 Dwarf Lady’s Mantle $3 each
4 Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ $3 each
6 Variegated Solomon’s Seal $8 each
Well, I’m heading out to trim back some giant leaves, the result of hot weather, from the zucchini and squash plants in hopes of better visibility to the pollinators and to help the fruits ripen up a little faster. I’ll check the peppers, too. We may have a couple of random things that are ready. Probably green beans next week, and a new patch of peas is starting to give big, full pods!
Hope to see you in the morning!