Sundog CSA July 26, 2021

Kansas weather continues to live up to the definition of being unpredictable. July has brought the land a lot of moisture and is now sucking that moisture right back up with the high temperatures of the last few days. This morning (Sunday) the clouds are hanging heavy to the north of us and we are hearing strong thunder and we can almost smell the rain but other than a few drops, nothing has fallen here on the hill. The weatherman is saying that rain fell to the north of us and that it is going to “drift” south so there is hope for a shower which would be appreciated.

Garden work this week was pulling weeds and mowing around some of the beds as the crab grass and weeds are not bothered by the weather or at least it seems that way as they both grow overnight and the mower almost sighs with weariness! Picking beans late Saturday since the forecast was for rain on Sunday, we noticed that the plants are filled with delicate lavender blooms so with a little cooperation with the weather, there will be another picking. The tomatoes are continuing to produce and we are picking several times a week. Worms, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs are the main problems as far as pests are concerned right now. Potato bugs/beetles ate the last eggplant transplants, leaving skeleton stems without their leaves. They may recover with some “tlc” and daily bug removals. The squash plants are continuing to produce like crazy and the plants look healthy and strong so we are hoping for a few more weeks at least.

Excitement this week was another flying visit to see Zach and Jen for a little bit on Saturday afternoon – two weeks in a row made the visit extra special!

Just in case you are wondering about when to plant your fall turnips – An interesting piece of information about turnip planting which is supposed to happen this week according to the article – An old Missouri saying advises, “On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This adage sprang into the national spotlight during Harry S. Truman’s presidency. “Evidently, the congressional session of 1948 was a particularly rancorous one, with the GOP-dominated Congress refusing to pass any of President Truman’s initiatives,” said Trinklein. Truman called a special session to begin on “what we in Missouri call Turnip Day—July 25.” The tactic failed when Congress refused to pass any of Truman’s initiatives during the Turnip Day Session (which actually began July 26). However, it reminded the public that late July is a good time to plant turnips in Missouri.

And the other interesting information we are sharing was sent to us by Zach and it was about eating tomato hornworms! 😊 I thought that it was some kind of joke but from what I have researched, it is true that they are edible, however, I think that I am going to stick to the tomatoes and continue treating the chickens to the hornworms!

Fried Green Tomato Hornworms July 17, 2013 By The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook

3 Tablespoons tomato hornworms 4 medium green tomatoes, sliced into 16 1/4-inch rounds Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste White cornmeal, as needed 16-20 small basil leaves

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the hornworms and fry lightly for about 4 minutes, taking care not to rupture the cuticles of each insect under high heat. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Season the tomato rounds with salt and pepper to taste, then coat with cornmeal on both sides. In another large skillet or wok, heat the remaining oil and fry the tomatoes until lightly browned on both sides. Top each tomato round with 2 fried tomato hornworms. Garnish with basil leaves and serve immediately.

YOUR BAG THIS WEEK – without Hornworms! 😊

• Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Squash - lots of different varieties
• Sweet Peppers
• Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Swiss Chard
• Eggplant OR asparagus

String Beans Vinaigrette from a The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas

1# fresh green beans ½ medium onion 1 small clove garlic

1/3 cup fresh-grated Parmesan Cheese 6 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. white wine vinegar with tarragon ½ tsp. salt

Fresh ground pepper GARNISH: tomatoes, olives

Wash the beans, snip off the ends, and cut them French style. Drop them into boiling salted water and cook until just tender. Drain

Finely chop half of an onion and mince a clove of garlic. Combine the beans with the other ingredients and mix well. Chill and serve with tomatoes, olives and other fresh or marinated garnishes of your choice. SERVES 4 to 6

Cucumbers in Sour Cream from a The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas

4 to 5 medium cucumbers 1 ½ Tbs. salt

2 Tbs. sour cream 1 Tbs. chopped chives

2 Tbs. chopped fresh dill 1 clove garlic, put through a press

Fresh-ground black pepper

Peel the cucumbers, quarter them lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Now slice the long strips at an angle, into even little disks. Add the salt, mix well and set aside for an hour. Then rinse the cucumbers thoroughly and press out the excess liquid.

Stir in the sour cream, chives, dill, garlic and enough fresh ground black peppers to suit you. Chill at least one hour, stir again and serve. SERVES 4 to 6.

Buttered Green Beans from The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis

Early tender green beans were cooked and served buttered as a change from the more matured and meaty ones.

¾ # green beans 1 teaspoon salt 3/2 tsp. butter ½ tsp. finely cut chervil

You can substitute tarragon, dill , parsley or fennel for chervil.

Rinse the beans and snip the ends off. Fill a 4-quart saucepan with cold water and bring to a rolling boil. Add salt and drop in green beans slowly to keep water boiling. When all the of the beans are in, give them a stir to see that they all become blanched right away. While keeping the beans at a rolling boil, skim away any scum that arises on the surface of the pot. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Drain and cover. Keep on a warm spot. Heat butter to the foaming stage and pour over the beans. Sprinkle on the chervil and a little salt if needed. Shake the pan around to see that all of the beans are buttered. Put the cover back on and hold for a few minutes while waiting for the rest of the meal to finish cooking.

So, there is that old story about diamonds being a girl’s best friend and that kind of gives a person an idea of what they might want to put at the top of their wish list. I was thinking about all the presents that I have received over the years and there have been some really special ones and then there have been a few that were a little different. I wanted to share the story of one that tested my acting abilities even though as I sat and thought about it, it was one of the most thoughtful presents that a four-year-old could give their “moss” which is what Izzy calls me – still to this day, but that is another story.

The present was in a big box which is still under my bed. Inside this large box were some cedar branches and there was a small box nestled in the branches which was kind of surprising. I took my time with the box because it was obvious that Izzy was expecting my reaction to be pretty spectacular because she had worked hard to put this present together. The box made sounds when I shook it and it was heavy but I really did not have a clue as to what was in it. So, I opened it. Izzy had painstakingly gathered up enough goat poop to fill the entire little box because she gardened with me and she knew that I was going to love this present. And I did. Was I surprised? YES! 😊 I am not sure but maybe you could call that boxful “diamonds in the rough?”.

Blessings from the farm – Jen, Zach, Izzy, Seth, Dan, Katy and Teresa

Bird House Gourd Vines

The flower on the birdhouse gourd vines is absolutely beautiful and I guess that the cucumber beetle sitting inside thinks so also!

Road work/construction continued this weekend while the crew listened to “Hank the Cowdog”. Katy and I are on the other side of the tomato tubes, picking green beans and listening to Hank also! 😊

My sister gave us this bedframe and we set it up in front of our squash bed – they are looking beautiful so far this season!

Our Sunday morning visitor - a small fawn looking so innocent with not a hint of beet row that he and his family had just eaten hanging out of his mouth.

The beautiful full moon coming up over the tunnel this week.