CSA News Letters

The Long Hungry Current 11/5/07

Fermenting Workshop...

For those of you who made the trip up Saturday, you got a real treat. Sandor’s workshops on fermentation are very informative. First we went out and harvested what we wanted to use in the kim chi, then we got an overview of the topic. After a short break, everyone pitched in to cut and chop all those veggies and we started a batch of kim chi.

Sandor brought samples of two ferments that were already going, one a few days old, one a few weeks, old, and Jeff brought one that was a year old. It is interesting to taste the progression of a live ferment. I had taken a workshop three years ago at the Biodynamic Conference that Jeff holds every year. So I had some familiarity with this simple but amazing process.

A TV crew from the Korean Broadcasting Network documented the whole thing, and didn’t hesitate to get in on both tasting and making the kim chi. I secured several copies each of Sandor’s books, and will have them for sale at the pick-up site. Books are $20.00 each.

After Sandor’s workshop, we went out harvesting again, this time for Laura Button’s raw food workshop. As usual, Laura also breaks it down and makes it all so easy to learn. We had a kale salad, plus a nice dessert truffles made with nuts and dried fruit. The food was excellent, and only served to start a third feast of both sweet and savory items from attendees.

The weather was superb, and I don’t think a better time could have been had by anyone. With full bellies and brains filled with useful information, Jeff and I played some music inside by the fire as the sun set. The bread oven was pumping out sourdough flatbreads, and a homemade apple pie got whipped up and then demolished.

As I prepared to leave for Nashville, I was taken aback by the stars on this crystal clear night. Even though I am aware of the difference between stargazing in Nashville vs. the farm, or anywhere rural, it always takes me by surprise just how beautiful the night sky can be. All in all, a great day! (Check out the link below for more info on light pollution.)
--Alan



Upcoming workshops at Jeff’s farm with Crazy Owl, RSVP- mailto:crazyowl@myway.com
Miso Making Workshop, Saturday Nov. 10, 1PM to 5PM
Herbalism Class, Saturday Nov. 17, 1PM to 4PM

We could really use grocery bags again! Please bring us your extras.

Here are a few links that may interest you:
All about noise pollution- http://www.noisefree.org/
All about light pollution- http://www.starrynightlights.com/lpIndex.html
Food recalls (scary!), past 60 days, larger archive available- http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html

The Harvest

Lettuce, (Some combination of greens), Chinese Cabbages, Peppers, Turnips, Daikon, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Parsley