Welkum! Heather and Jonas went to the Goschenhoppen folk festival this weekend. They had the opportunity to take part in some chores of daily living from the 18th and 19th centuries. Heather came away from it with an appreciation for how everything was used and nothing was wasted. Case in point were the potatoes. After boiling potatoes for mashing, the water was then used as “potato water” for things like breads, biscuits, or thickening soups. Who knew?!? I’m sure a few of you did already. Another rather fascinating thing that she learned was dried and then wetted again corn husks can be braided into door mats for getting the mud off of the farmers boots. But don’t expect door mats or corn husks in your CSA boxes anytime soon!
In the spirit of this dutchy weekend we will have our dutch yellow shallots in the share this week. These delicacy alliums are excellent keepers with a pungent raw taste that mellows and sweetens out when cooked. And while we are on the subject of sweet things. I noticed the sweetness of our Galia melons really picked up this past week. I went from “on the fence” about planting them again next year to an absolute sure thing. They say a lack of rain helps to sweeten melons. I think “they” are right! Although I sure would sacrifice a tad of sweetness for a good dose of rain these days. The galia melon patch is all harvested out, but the watermelons and cantaloupes are just starting to come in. Good timing right! Just like I envisioned it back in January…
Here is the share for this “pray for rain” week:
Shallots – Dutch Yellow
Melon – Hannah’s Choice Cantaloupe
Chard/Kale
Carrots
Tomatoes
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Yellow/Green Beans
Cucumbers
Macht’s gut,
Greg
Jonas lending a helping hand
This 19th century living is tiring me out!