Cauliflower, Cucumber, Sugar Snap Peas, Purple Cabbage, Green Onions, Kohlrabi Salad Turnips, Zucchini or Patty Pans, & Lemon Basil
Large shares: Yellow Beans & Basil
This year Adam is keeping the laying hen flock and the turkeys in the meadow below our trailer. The hens run around loose from dawn till dusk, eating grass and insects, dust bathing on the hillside; living the best life a chicken can. The young birds we hatched in May have recently discovered that underneath our trailer is the best spa around. They hang out in the shade, scratch beds in the gravel and snack on the flowers in my planter box. Adam locks the ladies in the chicken wagon at night, so they are safe and happy. The turkeys also roam free, but they refuse to go inside their shelter at night. Instead they all perch on top of it, and Adam has given up trying to get them to sleep inside.
As I was sitting in our trailer contemplating newsletter content, I heard a very strange squawk, followed by some frantic chicken clucking. Adam had taken the dogs for a bike ride, so I went outside to peer over the hill and see what the commotion was about. I was ready to go back inside when I saw a coyote trotting away from the hen wagon towards the trees at the edge of the meadow. I shouted loud expletives, and went running through the field to encourage him on his way. After a careful search, I decided the coyote went away hungry; but over the next half an hour every chicken noise I heard had was a potential death throe. I was out investigating at least five times before I got fed up and decided to lock the girls up early. (Chickens have very short memories when danger is afoot). I had just gotten seated back at my computer when I heard loud snapping and crashing in the bush on the edge of the chicken pasture. The crashing was loud enough I could hear it 150 meters away as I sat inside the trailer. No coyote makes that much noise, so outside I go again yelling for Sherman, our dog that actually barks at bears. By the time Sherman arrived the bear was long gone, but I think he has been hanging around. Both of the dogs have been barking a lot at night, and this morning I heard the same loud crashing while Sherman stood at the fence with his tail curled over his back barking his face off. It might be time to curtail the chicken`s freedom before they become snacks.
Ranfurly Farm Day
August 21, 2011 10 am - 1 pm
Come visit the farm, tour the garden, and see the animals. Everyone is welcome so bring friends or family and tell your neighbours. This is a great opportunity to come out and see where your veggies are coming from and enjoy scenic Turtle Valley. We will be offering guided tours, a light summer lunch, and will have pork, lamb and chicken for sale on site.
Zucchini in Padella – Fried Zucchini
3 medium firm zucchini (patty pans work too)
Extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
½ a fresh red chilli or 1 small dried one
A handful of fresh marjoram or oregano, leaves picked and chopped (I used lemon basil last night and it was excellent)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
3 good quality anchovy fillets, in olive oil
Zest and juice of half a lemon
Optional, 1 sprig of fresh mint, leaves picked and chopped
Remove the ends from the zucchini and slice them into ½ inch pieces. Feel free to halve them if your zucchini are on the large side. Put a couple of glugs of olive oil into a pan on medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and your chilli. After 30 seconds, add your zucchini and herbs and season lightly with salt and pepper. Make sure the pan is not too hot – you do not want the zucchini to cook to fast. Give everything a good mix around, then put lid on so it`s slightly ajar and will hold in some steam. Give the pan a little shake or stir every couple of minutes for the next 10 to 12 minutes. For the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the anchovy fillets and lemon zest. Once the anchovies have melted season carefully to taste, adding a squeeze of lemon juice to balance the chilli. Serve right away – lovely sprinkled with fresh mint.
This is a great side dish to go with white meats or fish, as part of an antipasti selection, smeared on crostini, or smashed up and tossed with a little cream, parmesan, and penne pasta. Also really good in omelettes or frittatas.
From Jamie`s Italy by Jamie Oliver.
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