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May 17th, 2011

Local Farm News

The cauliflower from Madrona is soooo lovely!! Below is a new recipe for Curried Cauliflower! (…inspired by my mother’s day present, “Vij’s at Home, Relax, Honey!” cookbook). There is a curried chickpea salad on page 122 that I liked because it had cucumber in it and we have gads of local cucumber! I love cauliflower curry and so I added cauliflower in lieu of some of the chickpeas. Oh yes, and subbed crushed chilli for the jalapeno. I did not have cilantro on hand so left that out but it is always better with cilantro to my mind! Feel free to fiddle with the recipe in your own way.

Farmer Dave was telling us that he seeded the cauliflower last July and planted it out in the field by August and under-sowed the crop with peas. The peas help prevent weed growth and also break down with the first hard frost while supplying nitrogen to the soil. He will plant squash in this same field later and under sow with clover – another crop that adds nutrients to the soil.

Dave has also been watching the bees carefully this season. About 70% of the local bees are ground-nesters and he has seen them in the cauliflower fields. Some of these bees are endangered so Dave is careful to work around them as much as possible.

Suntrio Farm is sending us the first of the organic cherry tomatoes… and as you already know, cucumbers are in full swing!!

Susan posing with our new spring celebrity, Madrona’s SeaPearl Cauliflower

What to Make from This Week’s Box

• Curried Cauliflower Salad with Cucumber
• Sauteed Endive, Garlic Greens and Feta over Pasta
• Roasted Beets
• Green Salad and Cherry Tomatoes
• Rhubarb OR Apple Cobbler

Vote on Cosmetic Pesticides

BC’s Agricultural Minister, Don McRae, has posted a pesticide poll on his website, asking whether cosmetic pesticide legislation is the right move. Please vote, and pass on as you deem appropriate! Thanks, Mike, for passing this on to us.

www.donmcraemla.bc.ca

Premier Christy Clark says she supports a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides in BC.
Do you feel this is the right move?

For me it’s YES. The health of my family is more important than a weed free lawn.

Curried Cauliflower Salad

Makes a warm salad served with cucumber.

Mix well and refrigerate:

• 1/2 english cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Saute in a skillet for 5 minutes:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1/2 large cauliflower chopped

Stir in and sautee for 1 minute:

• 1 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1/4 tsp crushed chilli

Add and cook for 4 to 5 minutes:

• 2 Tbsp tomato paste (OR 2 medium tomatoes in season)
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tsp turmeric
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups cooked chick peas

Simmer covered for 5 minutes then cool. Add cilantro before serving.