Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous. -Rumi
Housekeeping: If you are a half share and receiving this e-mail, this is your last week. I will be delivering your share in a paper bag.
Farm News: Quiet here this week. The warm weather has made the animals happy and they bask in the sun knowing winter weather is coming. Our cows have been calving, and 15 out of 16 have had their calves. The cow, we lovingly named Suzanna after Suzanna at Alexzanna farms had her calf last week. Suzanna loves her calf and the dogs see stars if they get too close to her.
What’s in the Bucket? Fresh Turmeric Root from Rising Fawn Gardens (Steve and Karen Persinger), dried long Cayenne chilies (you can smash these chilies, tear off the bottom, and shake the red pepper out. Or grind with mortar and pestle and make a wonderful hot chile powder), kale, red and/or green leaf lettuce, turnips, sweet potatoes.
Fresh turmeric root is a treasure and, in my mind, a superfood. It possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Turmeric is protective against Alzheimers and Cancer. People in India have 1/4 the rate of Alzheimers of the US population. It also slows tumor growth and helps delay liver damage from alcohol consumption. What a list!!
Substitute 3 times fresh turmeric for dry turmeric in recipes. Turmeric is wonderful in humus or sauerkraut. It makes a wonderful tea. I am including two easy turmeric recipes to get you started – then you can experiment yourself.
Turmeric Rice
Ingredients
1 cup long grain rice
2-1/4 cups vegetable broth
1/8 teaspoon dried turmeric or 1/4 teaspoon fresh turmeric, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup golden raisins or other dried fruit, chopped
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped almonds, walnuts or pecans, toasted
Cooking Instructions
In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent. Add garlic, turmeric, and rice, and cook 2-3 minutes. Add broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Add raisins and almonds, and stir gently to combine. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender.
Turmeric Potatoes
2.5 # sweet or white potatoes
1 1/2 t fresh grated turmeric
pinch of chile flakes (use the flakes out of your dried chiles!)
2 T olive oil
sea salt
pepper
Peel potatoes and cut into chunks. Toss all ingredients together and roast at 375 degrees on metal cookie sheet, flip with spatula half way through, 30-40 minutes or until tender.
Happy Eating and thanks for buying local food from Circle S.