Turtle Times

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Vol. 15, No. 2, May 18, ‘10    7260 NW 58th St., Johnston 50131  278-4522 (577-9208)

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Rain:  5/12-13, 1.4”

In the Box . . .

Lettuce ‘Cracoviensis’ and ‘Black seeded simpson’

Cress ‘Wrinkled crinkled’ (in with the lettuces)

Spinach ‘Tyee’, ‘Corvair’, ‘Hector’, ‘Renegade’ (maybe in with the lettuces)

Green Garlic

Radishes ‘Plum purple’, ‘French breakfast’ (a few)

Asparagus (for some) ‘Jersey Giant’, ‘Purple Passion’

Farm Update

Ben and I spent most of Mother’s Day weekend together. And, no, he’s not my son, although I’d be honored if he were.  We spent all that time covering and uncovering the strawberries to protect them from the Mother’s Day morning frost.  Most of the crops at the farm that are already planted are not harmed by frost, but strawberry blossoms and asparagus spears can get nipped.  And they did –at least the ones that were not covered.  We were glad we spent all that time on that onerous task.  We think you will be, too.  With the chilly week, the asparagus slowed down a lot, but is picking back up now.  We will pass out asparagus this week with priority to those who have not yet had any.  We have another four weeks of picking to go with it.

This week we will hopefully get our bearings on drop site locations, times, newsletter arrivals, and see if it all fits.  If you have problems or need to make a change, let us know.  Boxes should be at all drop sites in the metro area beginning at 4:30 and close at 6 pm except Johnston, which starts a bit later at 4:45.  Farm pickups can begin at 3 pm and the barn door is left open until the last person gets their box.   If you don’t remember your drop site address, you may email me (angela@turtle-farm.com).

Thanks to the Ramsey, Krohn, Kroska, and Gong-Browne family representatives who helped with potato planting and to Amadu Krisnan for volunteer weeding.  We also thank “guerrilla weeders” who struck Saturday sometime, leaving only a note.  (They must like kale.)

Reminders:

1) Next week, bring back your empty box to leave when you get your next box.

2) Always wash your produce—it just gets rinsed at the farm, and

3) Always read your newsletter or you may miss out.

The Salmon Adventure continues . . .

Danielle Wirth is willing to coordinate another Alaskan salmon order with us.  For those of you new to Turtle Farm, this is an opportunity to get wonderful salmon from Alaskan fishers that Danielle knows at a very reasonable price.  Halibut is available again as well. Orders are taken for 50 lb boxes of fish.  If you do not want that much, you may find others to share with you, but only one person contacts Danielle and sends one check when requested.  Please don’t ask her to match you up with others.  We don’t always know exactly when the fish will arrive or the exact size of the filets.  Anyone interested should email Danielle at ehorizon@netins.net without delay.  This is the only Turtle Farm notice you will get. Danielle does this out of the kindness of her heart, so please be kind to her if you participate.

Cookbooks Still Available

I still have a few Asparagus to Zucchini cookbooks available for the first three people who request them.  They are $13.

Recipes

I always like to begin the season with a dressing recipe to get you started with all the lettuces and greens that will be coming your way.  This is my most requested dressing:

French Vinaigrette

1 clove garlic (or one green garlic, white part) minced

½ tsp salt

¼-1/3 c. red wine vinegar

½ tsp. Dijon mustard

1/3-1/2 c. olive oil

Put the minced garlic and salt in a small bowl or cup.  Crush the garlic into the salt with a pestle or back of a spoon.  Add the red wine vinegar and mustard and mix.  Toss the salad with the olive oil.  Pour the vinegar mixture over the greens and toss again.  Season to taste with more salt and fresh ground pepper.