“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
― Sylvia Plath
Hard to believe it is end of August. Fall is a lovely time of year for a farmer. The season’s harvest coming to an end. Because we worry, we worry. The cows will get in the garden. The deer will get in the garden. The hail will ruin the garden. The rain will ruin the garden. All that hard work…..
Last night I was out harvesting some fall squash. Curtis wasn’t feeling well – so I was trying to stay out of the house. Quit rummaging around while he was trying to rest. So it was late – duskish, and I was piddling around. Putting candy roasters in my wheelbarrow and daydreaming.
There are loads of fall geese in our fields. I heard a commotion and large splash as all of them crashed into the water. When I looked up to watch…a deer was headed right for me. She was spooked and panting as she came up the hill. She did not see me. She stumbled through two of our hot wires and all of a sudden she was in the garden with me – maybe 10 feet away. She had this look on her face like –WOW, I’ve stumbled into Eden. And still, she did not see me.
We had a moment of fellowship together. And then I moved before she got comfortable in my Eden. I thought she would go back the way she came, she chose the 6 strand high tensile wire. She almost made it but snagged the top wire with her feet…because she was weary. It somersaulted her and she landed with a thud on her back and was still for a minute. I held my breath.
Then she sprung up and headed off towards the turtle pond and I yelled “and don’t come back”. But what I really meant was, just wait until my season is over. Or, come and eat just a little.
What’s in the bucket: Candy roaster squash, arugula, tomatoes, butternut squash, okra, cucumbers, hot peppers, bell peppers, a few other things that are just beginning or just ending….perhaps, as we are in between seasons.
What’s at market: North Georgia Candy roaster squash, butternut squash, arugula, summer squash, lettuce mix, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, zinnia’s and basil. Circle S Beef: ground beef, roasts.
Here is a recipe I found online for winter squash pie. Much like pumpkin pie. If you aren’t ready for fall yet….good news. This squash should keep for a month or two. Just keep it cool and dry. It is also good in soups or roasted in the oven.
Winter Squash Pie
Hands on: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 1/2 hours
Serves: 12
This is Mecca Lowe’s recipe for North Georgia Candy Roaster pie. You can make this pie with any winter squash you have on hand, but if your squash is not as sweet as the North Georgia Candy Roaster, you may need to increase the sugar.
1 1/2 pounds winter squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup skim milk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 crust for 9-inch pie
Whipped cream, for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large saucepan, arrange squash chunks and cover with water. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and put squash in bowl of a food processor. Add sugar and milk and pulse to puree squash. Add eggs, butter, flour, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger and process until smooth.
Pour squash filling into pie crust and bake 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean. Cool pie on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature with whipped cream if desired.
Per serving: 148 calories (percent of calories from fat, 36), 3 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 6 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 38 milligrams cholesterol, 115 milligrams sodium.
Happy Eating and thanks for buying local food from our farm.!!