Three new employees started today; our crew is now complete for the coming season. After the quiet winter, it is nice to have the farm full of people living and working here. We made lunch together: hamburgers cooked over the wood fire and more. With all the rains we have not had as many fires. It was nice to smell and feel the fire again. The greenhouse is starting to fill up. We are working to get as much prepped and in order so that we can focus on planting when the time arrives. It will be a while still.
This weeks's pick list:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radish
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
- Kohlrabi
- Parsnip
- Rutabaga
- Chard
- Cabbage
- Potatoes
- Oranges
Kalpudding, from nytimes.com
FOR THE MEATLOAF:
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 1 head green cabbage, approximately 3 pounds, cored and shredded
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- ¾ pound ground beef
- ¾ pound ground pork
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup chicken, beef or vegetable stock, ideally homemade or low-sodium store-bought (or water)
FOR THE SAUCE:
- ⅓ cup lingonberry or cranberry preserves
- 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
Heat oven to 350. Put a large pan over medium-high heat, and add the butter. When it starts to foam, add the cabbage and molasses, lower the heat to medium and sprinkle with salt. Cook slowly, stirringoften, until all the liquid has evaporated and the cabbage is caramelized, approximately 20-25 minutes.
While the cabbage is cooking, lightly mix the meats in a large bowl, then add the onion, cream and breadcrumbs, and mix again to combine.
When the cabbage is done, add about a third of it to the meat mixture, and mix to combine. Use the remaining butter to grease an 8-inch-square baking pan, and transfer the meat mixture to it, spreading it out to cover the whole surface evenly. Spread remaining cabbage over the meat, pour the stock or water over the top and place in the oven, on a sheet tray, to cook for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cabbage is very, very caramelized, almost dry and crunchy at the edges. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes or so before serving.
While the meat and cabbage cooks, make the sauce. Heat lingonberry or cranberry preserves, vinegar and butter in a small pot set over medium heat, then add Worcestershire sauce to taste. Serve alongside the kalpudding.