Thursday, July 21, 2011

FROM WEALDEN SOIL--CELERY, GARLIC, ZUCCHINI, SUMMER SQUASH, CUKES... THEN THERE ARE LOCAL RASBERRIES AND THE MAINE STATE FRUIT-- BLUEBERRIES!!

When Sawyer Williams is not tending the farm store, he can be found on the soccer field or training/running to be ready for the field.  "It is the best sport!  Well... in my opinion." he says.  He plays soccer year round and has worked at Wealden for 2 summers.  Stop by and visit!

Sawyer  helping me out with a photo of JUST HARVESTED CELERY.
I think rasberry pie is my absolute favorite... POW, look at this color!

Our Maine state fruit, this gorgeous velvety blue berry is a member of the Ericaceae family, which also includes rhododendron, azalea, Indian pipe, heath, cranberry, and huckleberry. Lowbush blueberries are usually harvested using a blueberry rake --invented by Mainer Abijah Tabbut, in 1822 (now that is a great name!).
We have a tradition of breakfast on our boat being-- a bowl of crunched up pilot crackers, fresh blueberries piled on top, a sprinkle of sugar, cold milk... tastes like summer!!
Everyone has a favorite blueberry cake recipe and this is mine.  We have made it as a grand finale to many festive lobster dinners.  It has been double, tripled, even quadrupled for my daughter's ski academy gatherings--so it became the--
•••••
FAMOUS BURKE MTN. BLUEBERRY CAKE
Cream together 3/4 C butter, 2 C sugar
Add grated rind from two lemons.  Add 4 beaten eggs.
Sift 3 C flour; resift with 1 t. salt, 2 t. baking powder
Alternately add the dry ingredients with 1 C milk.
Add 2 C blueberries dusted with flour (low bush my preference for this)
Bake 30 minutes 350ยบ in 13"x9" pan
Remove from oven and pour a mixture of juice from 2 lemons and 1 cup sugar over  entire  cake.
S m i l e.




Big beautiful bulbs, big beautiful flavor!
Garlic has a reputation in folklore for preventing many ailments, from the common cold to acne to high cholesterol!  It has been used as a natural mosquito repellent.  Studies have found it to be a powerful broad spectrum natural antibiotic. The bacteria in the body do not appear to evolve resistance to the garlic as they do to many modern pharmaceutical antibiotics. This means that its positive health benefits can continue over time rather than helping to breed antibiotic resistant "superbugs".

SAUTE, GRILL, SRHED IN BREAD!
The colonists of New England adopted the name squash, a word derived from several Native American words for the vegetable which meant "something eaten raw."  Known squash enthusiasts and growers include George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. 
There are only 13 calories in a half-cup of raw zucchini, but they are packed with
valuable antioxidants. They contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, the valuable mineral nutrient phosphorus, are a good source of fiber (4 grams per cup), and one cup of zucchini has nearly as much potassium as a banana. Plus it contains the valuable mineral nutrient phosphorus. 

Remember, we have organic meats in our freezer for your grill, fresh eggs, herbs, creamy and zesty cheeses from Maine goats and Maine cows, Rosemont's incredible breads and bagels daily and more.  See you on Pleasant Hill Road!