LOCAL FOOD AT CAMELINA

In the kitchen, in the garden and in the woods

September, 2008

 

MAKING BEER ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON

 

David brought over two big bags of Cascade hops that he planted on Jason and Haruka's farm, Edible Earthscapes.

 

Sefira took these photos of David's fragrant hops and Tim giving them the smell test.  Click on Tim to see a larger photo.

 

HELLAHOP

 

Bob and Sefira heat the wort.  There was concern that the beer started out too warm so Jeremy put his hands on the fermenter to try and determine the temperature.   The group named the brew "Hellahop."

A consensus was reached with the help of an infra red heat gun and the vessel was placed in a bathtub of cold water.

 

TIM HAS A REALLY COOL BELT

 

Tim wears everything he needs on his belt, drawing admiring stares from just about everyone.

 

FALL GARDEN

 

The glory days of spring and summer are over and the garden is shrinking in size.  The hops got a good start, however and should yield a nice crop next year.

 

The basil is still growing strong and our fall crop of sweet potatoes is coming on.  Bob has also planted arugula and other cool weather salad greens in the holes left by the crook necked pumpkin, cucumbers, eggplant and tomatoes.

 

OKRA AND EGGPLANT

 

Neither of us have ever been okra fans but in an effort to eat every bit of fresh produce from our two CSA memberships, we have learned to eat it.  Our favorite recipe was one in which Camille sliced the okra lengthwise and fried it, then set it aside to sauté up some peppers and eggplant, adding in the okra at the end.  It wasn't bad and you have to admit, that sweet little baby okra sure was cute.

 

EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS

 

For years we avoided wild mushrooms.  We considered "edible wild mushrooms" to be an oxymoron.  As in "who dies the best."  But after hearing reports of edible Puffballs, Bob got a copy of "Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America - A Field to Kitchen Guide" and we ate the mushrooms above: (Lycoperdon perlatum) on the left and Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) on the right.  The Lion's Mane is to die for, by the way - as succulent as lobster when drenched in margarine.  Mmmmmm! 

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