Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka has this great joke where she talks about standing in random parts of her apartment to fully appreciate them, solely because she pays rent for them. I think about that bit quite often, as I walk out into the field to clear my mind or get into it, depending on what the situation calls for. And just the other day, it dawned on me that I have a very favorite spot on the farm, a favorite vantage point that without fail makes the three mortgages we pay to farm here seem worthwhile.
You might have guessed it was the one with the majestic mountain view that inspires cars to pull over onto the lack-of-shoulder along River Road to grab photos. But you'd be wrong. It is practically a 180 degree, about face, from that view. It is the view you see above, at the corner of intersecting pathways that face westward. To the left, there's not much more than fill dirt from when they built the levee and changed the course of the river. But to the right, I feel like I can see everything I want to, a snapshot of how this place grows and changes over the months, seasons and even years. Crops rotate, appearing in layered perspective. And you won't find a better place to catch a sunset. This weekend, as I was taking my farm loop, I couldn't help but be taken by the appeal of that patch of recently worked soil. Everything about it--the texture, the aroma, the drama! Lupa loves to pace up and down the length of those beds, practically disappearing into the furrows on those short little legs of hers. Within a matter of weeks, these rows will be fully planted and trellised. In the background, you can spot the overwintered Leeks that are getting pulled tomorrow, and behind them, a lush green stand of cover crop that will soon be worked into our soil. In short, it encapsulated what early Spring is like--acres of potential, plenty of work at hand, but for the meantime, reliance on overwintered crops for sustenance during these "Hunger Gap" months.
On that topic, the Purple Sprouting Broccoli continues to shock and amaze me by really coming through for us. There are many other types of flowering brassicas that are on the brink of blooming too. (I like to think that this all helps the last of the root vegetables go down in a more delightful way...almost there!). This week, we're busting out the Celeriac which I firmly believe is one of the more refreshing roots that we have to give. To break up the monotony, I'm adding in locally grown Purple Nugget Potatoes for the CSA to go with our stunning PSB, as well as Frozen Blueberries from Sunrise Farm...thought you might like a little violet to go with all of that green veg!
Many Thanks,
Katie
IN THIS WEEK’S FARMSHARES:
Red Russian Kale
Flowering Kale Raab
Yellow Onions
Parsnips
Pink Lady Apples
Autumn Frost Squash (Large Shares)
THE KALE SALAD THAT STARTED IT ALL - Joshua McFadden
CHOPPED APPLE, KALE & PARSNIP SALAD - The First Mess
SAUSAGE, KALE & WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH PARSNIPS & CARROTS - Dishing Up The Dirt
KALE PESTO - Love & Lemons
EASY SKILLET KALE FLORETS WITH GARLIC, CHILI & LEMON- NW Edible Life
CURRY ROASTED PARSNIP FRIES -Minimalist Baker
BEST TEX-MEX GRAIN BOWLS (WITH PARSNIPS!)- The Pioneer Woman
SWEET POTATO KALE SALAD WITH CREAMY HONEY-MUSTARD DRESSING - Half-Baked Harvest
MISO-PARMESAN NOODLE SOUP FOR ONE - Ali Slagle
PARSNIP PUREE WITH OLIVE OIL AND SAGE - Serious Eats