LDF News: Summer Crops are coming in!

Jim smiles down a humid July day. It is summer in Michigan.

It rained! And it became humid. But it rained! And we needed it. We were in the almost endless irrigation cycle. It has been a relief to take a break from turning valves and moving lines. We are going to punt on the email this week in the spirit of getting more done in the field. We are playing catch up right now for various reasons but I can see the possibilities on the horizon. 
 
 
In this email:

• Generally important notes
  • Farm Members, if you haven't checked out our new membership agreement please see a copy here. If this works for you, please send me an email saying so. If it doesn't, please let me know and we will sort it out. Thank you!
  • Stockbridge Members: Look for the email from a couple weeks ago. Please email me with any questions or thoughts.
  • Here is link to our Social Justice page on our website. It is a list of resources to keep active in effecting positive social change.  
• Fresh from the Field
• Recipe: Zucchini Stir Fry- simple, easy and delicious.
• Market Details
• Tales from the Farm

Fresh From the Field- 
Greens:
Chard
Kale
Pea shoots

All Manner of Deliciousness
Baby Green Garlic
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Baby Fennel
Garlic Scapes
Kohlrabi 
Snap Peas- limited
Radishes (maybe)
Scallions
Summer Squash!
Tomatoes- Just coming in!
Cherry Tomatoes! Just coming in!
Zucchini

Herbs (If we have time)
Basil- Back next week
Dill Flowers
Mint
Oregano
Sage
Thyme

Coming soon:
Eggplant
Parsley
Peppers
New Potatoes
Spring onions
 
Recipe: Zucchini Stir fry!
I made this recipe this morning for dinner tonight. I substituted a lot and kept the principals: Soften the onions, keep the heat high, don't cook the zucchini too long. I added garlic scapes, a green pepper, and some steamed chard, plus tofu from some extra protein. You could add carrots, kohlrabi, turnips, celery, eggs, meat or really whatever.
 
From: The Flavors of Kitchen
​
This flavor-packed Zucchini Stir Fry gets ready in 20 mins. Make this super quick stir fry with Onion, Garlic, Zucchini tossed in a simple sauce.

This Zucchini Stir fry is a brilliant way to turn humble Zucchinis into a take-out style stir fry in almost no time. Serve this stir fry on rice for a complete meal. Caramelized onions, garlic, tender yet Crispy Zucchinis tossed with Soy and Oyster sauce. Then there is toasted sesame seeds and sesame oil to finish up the dish.

Ingredients

• 2 medium Zucchini Fresh and firm
• 2 medium Onion sliced
• 1 tablespoon Garlic minced
• 2 teaspoon Cooking Oil
• 1 dry red chilli
• 1.5 tablespoon Soy Sauce low sodium
• 2 teaspoon Oyster Sauce
• 2 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds
• ½ teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
• salt and pepper

Helpful tips:
For that matter, zucchini or any stir fry, there are a few tips that are helpful.

• Stir-fries are meant to be super quick. So the first step while making any stir fry is to do the prep before starting with the cooking. Finish off all the cleaning and chopping ahead. Keep the rest of the ingredients like sauce, salt and pepper reachable.
• Zucchini needs to firm and fresh.
• Zucchini pieces should not be too thick or too thin.
• Stir fry needs really high heat and things need to be done really quick.  A wok or a wide pan works best in this case.
• Caramelizing onion adds sweetness to the stir fry. So brown it until it softens and starts to brown.
• Don't overcook the zucchini. Soft and soggy Zucchini is
• Red chilli adds smokiness but you can skip if you don't have it.

Instructions:

• Pour oil to a wok or a pan. Once hot add dry red chilli if using.
• When the red chilli is smokey hot, add sliced onion.
• Saute onion until it is soft and translucent.
• Add minced garlic. Stir until aromatic and no more raw smell is there.
• Add chopped Zucchini. Stir fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Add Soy sauce, Oyster Sauce, salt and pepper. Toss everything and mix well.
• Stir fry for another 2-3 minutes. When the zucchini is coated well with the sauce and small brown blisters start appearing.
• Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil. Mix everything well.

Notes

• For glutenfree version use tamari or Coconut aminos instead of Soy sauce.
• Soy Sauce and Oyster sauce already contains salt. So add salt accordingly.
• Add a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick. 
• Recipe Video with step by step instruction just above the recipe.  

NutritionServing: 100g | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 33.6mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.8mg


Market Details: We are at market this week
 
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Helen and Tyler and radish aficionado Wiley! 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Kaitlin! 6 am to 2:30 pmRoyal Oak, Saturday with Jim and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

Tyler and and Paul harvesting carrots! We are so glad that Paul volunteers every Wednesday. He is a joy to work with and hilarious to boot.

​Tales from the Farm:
Worka worka worka! Like Fozzy Bear only farmers. Cultivation. Feeding, weeding, harvesting. Rocking and Rolling. Adjusting to separation anxiety from Wiley. Enjoying barn swallows. Keeping busy!

Hope to see you at market!

Helen for Jim, Tyler, Wiley, Boomer (bark layer), and Exie (morale officer)

Pepper fruit on the plants!

The eggplant is on the cusp! There are a few fruit out there now. I'm excited to eat them. Yes.