Summer Solstice

It's officially summer now.  We've passed the longest day of the year, and there is still plenty of growing to do!  I've got all my onions in the ground (they start to form bulbs as the daylight decreases.)
These here are the scallions, bred to not form bulbs.  Ah, nice orderly bunches.

In the hoophouse we have kicked out the last of the herbs that were in pots, and replaced them with tomatoes, peppers and basil planted in the ground.  Mostly we have orange Sungold cherry tomatoes, a nice red variety called Cosmonaut Volkov, a tangy green heirloom called Green Zebra, and then a few neat varieties where the label I wrote in pencil rubbed off...  So,... a batch of mystery tomatoes!  (I now use sharpies for my labels) It will be fun to see what they grow.  There are still a few spring crops hanging on in the hoophouse, but the tomatoes are slowly taking over.

The chickens like the new pasture, but getting out to them takes a bit more time.  It can be fun driving the wheelbarrow through the woods with the feed and water.

Whatcha Eatin?

Swiss Chard and Lemon

Bunch of Swiss Chard, coarsely chopped. stems too. (beware, the red ones stain like beets)

1-2 cloves garlic (or perhaps garlic scapes if you add them a bit later so they don't overcook)

Olive oil

pinch of red pepper flakes

Lemon wedge or lemon juice (key ingredient!)

Heat oil, garlic, and red pepper in skillet (don't all great recipes start this way).

Add chard and toss to coat.  Cover for a minute or two to lightly steam chard, continue to sautee ~5min until tender.  

Squeeze lemon juice over chard.  Server with rice.

Garlic Scape Pesto

bunch of garlic scapes

1/3 C grated parmesan

1/3 C slivered almonds

~1/2 C olive oil

All of it into a food processor and blend.  Adjust the oil to get the desired consistency.  We like to eat this on Wasa crackers or pasta.

Thyme Lemonade

I was going to try this but forgot to pick up lemons darnit.  I'm curious about this one.  You basically make a simple syrup flavored with thyme, and then use that syrup to sweeten your lemonade.

1 C sugar

1 C water

8 sprigs fresh thyme

Heat in saucepan to a boil, then simmer 8 min.  Strain out thyme and cool.

1 C lemon juice

3-4 C water

(perhaps some gin or vodka...)

garnish with a thyme sprig.  

sunny day on the Eastern Promenade optional, but recommended.