Church FarmYour Weekly Newsletter

Friday 29th June 2012

A Note from the Grower

This week we have been planting, amongst other things, winter squashes. These wondrously diverse and spectacular vegetables are one of my favourites; so delicious roasted or in soups, coming in a wide array of shapes and colours, and with the ability to store right through the winter and spring. I ate the last of last year’s September harvest from my allotment back home in May!Supermarket shoppers have long been familiar with the butternut squash, and this is certainly a fine specimen, but there are so many more varieties to choose from. Most winter squash cultivars belong to the species Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita pepo. Examples of C.maxima are the Buttercup squash, pictured above, the Blue Hubbard, all pumpkins, and the wonderfully named Uchiki Kuri, an onion-shaped fruit with deep orange skin striped with paler orange. C. pepo is represented by Acorn squash, unsurprisingly acorn shaped, but with a deep green skin, Sweet Dumpling, like a little pumpkin with green and white stripes, and the magnificent Delicata, a fine flavoured variety that we are growing this summer. The skins of squashes vary from pale blue in colour through to rich orange, dark green or even black. The flesh, however is invariably orange or yellow, and, at their best, with a fantastic sweet, nutty flavour. A joy to grow, to harvest and to eat, let’s look forward to those sturdy squashes, to cheer and nourish us through next winter, right up until it’s time to sow them again! RikImage source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cucurbita_maxima_Blanco2.320.png

Courgettes or zucchini are a member of the squash family. They grow on vines and not underground and are often treated in culinary terms as a vegetable as an accompaniment or side dish. They can grow up to a metre in length but are often cultivated when they are much smaller approx 8”. However the courgette is the swollen ovary born of the flowering zucchini so is actually an immature fruit. The flower itself being edible also. In Turkey these are a delicacy used like vine leaves as the wrapping of a Dolma.

Getting the Best from your Box

On Wednesday 27th June, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, the Hon Arabella Stuart-Smith, visited Rural Care. She spent time with the co-farmers learning about the farm, their day-to-day jobs and goals and the benefits of working on a real farm. The co-farmers thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and hope she’ll visit again soon. A High Sheriff is appointed for each county by Her Majesty at a meeting of the Privy Council. The office is held for a year. High Sheriffs are charged with the task of protecting the judges in the Crown Court and of representing the Sovereign in relations with the Police. Find out more: http://www.highsheriffofhertfordshire.org.uk/2012/

High Sheriff visits Rural Care!

We are now harvesting delicious Church Farm strawberries from Beard’s Oak vegetable garden.

Buy 1 punnet for £2.80 or 2 punnets for £4.00.Pop into the store for this brilliant offer today!

SPECIAL OFFER: Strawberries

Courgettes are usually served cooked. They can be prepared using a variety of cooking techniques, including steaming, boiling, grilling, stuffing, baking, barbecuing and frying. I have also seen it diced and cooked in scrambled egg. Courgettes have a delicate flavour and require little more than quick cooking with butter or olive oil, with or without fresh herbs. The dark green skin is left in place. It can also be eaten raw, sliced or shredded in a cold salad, as well as lightly cooked in hot salads. It sometimes feels like summer, so salad bowls on standby!Image Source: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Veg-A-to-Z/Marrow,-courgette,-squash-and-pumpkin-(1)

Image source: www.bbcgoodfood.com

Church Farm, Ardeley, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7AH T: 01438 861 447E: info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

What’s in my box next week?

MEAT (small boxes)

Farm VarietyDry Cured Ham Joint (Cooked), Pork Loin Chops and Beef Mince

Lean Cuts (NEW FOR 2012)Extra Lean Ham Slices, Chicken Fillet, Skinny Sausages and Pork Loin Stir Fry

Premium SelectionDry Cured Ham Joint (cooked), Pork Loin Steaks and Bacon

VEGETABLESExtra Small (6 varieties)Potatoes (Devon New Ostara), carrots, onions, spring greens, aubergine and green pepper

Small (8 varieties)Courgette and Tomatoes

Medium (10 varieties)Broad Beans and Spring Onions

Large (12 varieties)Globe Artichokes and Red Pepper

Extra Large (15 varieties)Cabbage, Sweetcorn and Fennel

FRUITBananas, Strawberries, Plums, Oranges, Rhubarb and Watermelon

Please note that these are standard items and are subject to change. If you have asked not to be supplied with a particular item, a substitute will be provided in your box.

Real Ales: Real Food : Warm Welcome at the

Jolly Waggoner

Book a table today to avoid disappointment on 01438 861 350!

Special Offers for Booked Tables:“Pimms & Pitchers” in celebration of

Summer - free cheesy chips with every pitcher of Pimms, lager or bitter

Celebrate your birthday with us and get a free bottle of wine for each table of 6 or

more people.

www.thejollywaggoner.co.uk

Thanks to all who came and supported the community hog roast over the bank holiday and to those who made the journey to enjoy the ceilidh. A big shout out to Kevin and the Fiery Fairies for some great tunes and to Toucan who played some fantastic jazz to finish off the evening.

Upcoming Events8th July: second monthly “fish supper”13th July: regular monthly curry night28th July: inaugural “Ardeley beer festival” featuring a minimum of 10 guest ales.

Events at the Jolly Waggoner

During the past couple of weeks our co-farmers have been sowing more plant and herb seeds in addition to potting on past sowings. Many of these are now for sale outside the shop at very reasonable prices. They include parsley, cosmos, coriander and marigolds. Other plants can be taken home by the co-farmers or are planted around our shed area.

Of course there is then the on-going watering and weeding of these in addition to helping out on the wider farm’s vegetable growing areas, so horticultural work does take up a good proportion of our time at this time of the year.

Rural Care: Co-farmers’ News!

Cucumber LemonadeThis is a refreshing drink that really makes the most out of cucumbers but in a totally different way. Serve over ice and with some fresh slices of cucumber and lemon in your glass at your next summer party.

Serves 4

Ingredients250ml water100g caster sugar1 cucumber6 lemons

MethodMake a syrup with the water and caster sugar by placing both into a saucepan. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, but not boiling, then remove from the heat immediately and put into the fridge.Chop the cucumber and put into a blender. Blitz until you have a pulp, then put the pulp into a sieve over a jug and sit or push through until you have 200ml juice or liquid.Juice the lemons. Stir with the sugar syrup and cucumber liquid, then serve.You could also make this with limes instead of lemons if you want something a little different.

Recipe Source: http://cucumberrecipes.co.uk/lemonade.html

*Butchery Deal of the Week*Buy 20 Traditional English Sausages for £10.99

Campfire, Music and Sleep Under the StarsSat 21st July & Sat 25th August

Have you booked yet? FREE FOR FARM BOX CUSTOMERS!Call 01438 861 447 to book your pitch today!