I have to admit that I am struggling to write another update when it is pouring again. The rain truly slows us down. While there are plenty of jobs to do in the winter, such as tuning tractors and equipment and minor construction, we are not set up to do them in constant rain. We plan to be in the fields as little as possible as we do not want to create too many ruts or compaction. Yet we usually plan on having breaks in the rain when we can work outside in the barnyard. The rain is conducive to office work but we are all starting to get antsy. Still I know I will miss the sound of running water and the excitement of the storms when they are gone.
This weeks's pick list:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radish
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
- Celery
- Kohlrabi
- Parsnip
- Rutabaga
- Celeriac
- Cabbage
- Potatoes
- Oranges
Cabbage and Squash Gratin, from nytimes.com
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound winter squash, peeled and shredded
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¾ pound green cabbage, shredded
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
FOR THE GRATIN:
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup low-fat milk
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup cooked barley, rice (preferably brown) or quinoa
- 2 ounces Gruyère, grated (1/2 cup)
- 1 ounce Parmesan, grated (1/4 cup)
If serving the vegetables with grains, begin cooking the grains of your choice first.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet or a wok and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the shredded winter squash and the garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until not quite tender, about 10 minutes, and add the remaining oil, the cabbage, sage, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with grains or use the vegetables for the gratin below.
If making a gratin, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and oil a 2-quart baking dish or gratin dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon) and freshly ground pepper, and stir in the cooked grains (I used cooked purple barley, and it was a beautiful and tasty combination with lots of texture) and the cooked vegetables. Add the cheeses and stir everything together, then scrape into the prepared baking dish.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the gratin is set. Allow to cool for 15 minutes or longer before cutting into wedges and serving. The gratin is good hot, warm or at room temperature, and you can cut it into smaller pieces to serve as an hors d'oeuvre.