Notes from the Learning Garden: From One Season to the Next

Summer programs have come to an end here at the farm, which gives me a little time to reflect before we launch into our fall season of programs, events and happenings at Waltham Fields Community Farm.

For many years now, WFCF has been working with the Waltham Recreation Department to offer after-school and summer programs for area youth. In August we held two of these programs which were 4 mornings each for children who will be entering 1st-3rd grade in the fall. From exclamations of "This is more fun than fencing!" (yes, the one with swords) while harvesting basil, to the image of children sitting on a blanket in the shade singing "The Garden Song" this was a truly memorable experience for all (adults and kids alike).

This year for the first time we also offered a full day program for children ages 9 to 12 which we called our "Farmer For A Week" program. Participants got to delve a little bit deeper into farming and food preparation than those in our other programs with activities such as jam-making, chicken chores, working with the farm weed crew, pickling, and planning out their dream garden using a multitude of seed catalogs from our farm bookshelves. They ended the week by putting together boxes of vegetables, herbs, pickles, and jam to take home and share with their families.

Farmer For A Week Plum-Raspberry Jam

Ingredients:
1 lb Plum, washed, pitted, and chopped finely
3 lbs Raspberries, mashed
1/4 C Water
3 lbs Sugar
2 T Lemon Juice

Directions:
-Place chopped fruit and water in a preserving pan, soup pot, or other large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
-Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
-Return to boil and continue boiling until temperature reaches 210F, stirring occasionally to make sure jam is not sticking or burning.
-Add lemon juice and continue boiling to bring temperature back to between 210F and 220F
-Do a test to see if you jam has gelled. The best thing to try is put a little bit of your jam on a plate and stick it in the freezer or fridge for a minute or two to cool it down. When cook, it should have a slightly thicker gel-like consistency. When that happens, it is a good indication that the pectin is activated and it is time to put your jam into jars and process them in your water bath canner!

Farmer For A Week Harvest Box

As the education staff was setting up for the last day of our final summer program a few weeks ago we couldn't help but comment on the speed at which summer rushed past yet again. Lately, I feel as though this has become a mantra for me: "I can't believe the month is over already", "I can't believe the next season is almost here". I suppose as we get older each section of time becomes a smaller percentage of our lives and thus seems to pass by much more quickly. I remember when an hour seemed like a lifetime and as I watch the kids playing in the garden, chopping veggies, or looking at worms I try to put myself back in that mindset and hope that the few hours that they spend with us feels long enough and meaningful enough to stay in their hearts and minds at least until their next visit, next program, or perhaps just their next meal.

Happy gardening,

- Jericho

Fall after-school programs for children in grades K-5 start September 20th! Sign your child up today for six weeks of gardening, cooking, composting, and just generally enjoying the wonders of fall on the farm!

Images by Rebekah Carter (2011).

Arugula Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

The end of New England's strawberry season has come, but I still had more than a few berries kicking around my refrigerator last night. A hot house meant a no-cook dinner was in store, and this fresh strawberry vinaigrette I recently enjoyed seemed the perfect compliment to a bunch of arugula I had on hand. With some fresh mint chiffonade, crumbled goat cheese or feta, and chopped berries (maybe a sprinkle of sliced almonds or sunflower seeds, too), this beautiful and tasty summer salad is ready in minutes. Try substituting fresh raspberries for strawberries if you don't have any fresh or frozen.

Strawberry Vinaigrette
makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 8 oz of strawberries (about 10-16 berries)
• 1/4 tsp garlic (or scapes), minced
  
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, chop and mash the berries before whisking with vinegar, lemon juice, garlic (scape), honey, salt, and pepper; continue whisking as you slowly drizzle in the olive oil.


Rebekah

Image by Rebekah Carter (2011). Recipe adapted from Hannaford Supermarket.

Freezing Berries

Don't let family vacations stop you from loading up on the delicate and delicious berries of summer. With a bit of freezer rearrangement, you can enjoy summer's bounty of raw strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and more all the way into the cool days of autumn (if they last that long).

Freezing Berries

1. After purchasing or picking berries, thoroughly sort through them to remove any damaged, overripe/rotten, or immature fruits.
2. If working with strawberries, hull them (remove the calyx, that green, star-shaped "hat" that sits atop the berry); gently transfer the berries to a colander and rinse under cold running water.
3. If working with strawberries, you may wish to slice them at this point; otherwise, gently spread the berries onto a clean baking sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer.
4. Remove the berries from the freezer as soon as they are frozen in order to avoid freezer burn; quickly transfer to plastic freezer bags or containers and return to the freezer for long-term storage.

Berries can be safely stored for 8-12 months in a freezer kept at 0 degrees F.

My Two Cents:

Some argue that berries should be treated with simple syrup or sugar when being frozen. Although this does help maintain the texture, color, and flavor of berries frozen for several months, it is not necessary as freezing is the method of preservation. Many also pat their berries dry and line their baking sheet with parchment paper, but I do not find either of these steps necessary (however, I do make sure to not put sopping-wet berries straight in the freezer).

While the focus of this post was berries, freezing is an excellent way to preserve many local fruits and vegetables with little to no processing. Check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation's website for specific instructions according to crops of interest.

Rebekah

Images by Rebekah Carter (2011). Instructions for freezing berries referenced from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.