Sunday, June 10, 2012

Crisp and Tender – The First Greens of Restoration Farm


You come to expect an abundance of greens at the start of the growing season at Restoration Farm.   In late spring, the produce should be like the weather – brisk, full of vitality – and very, very green. 
The first distribution of the 2012 growing season means salads and greens will be the menu item of choice for some time to come.   If one tires of lettuce, there is a bounty of arugula, mizuna and bok choy to enjoy. 
The ubiquitous and super-nutritious kale is in fine form and in the field, hearty Swiss Chard is reaching towards the sky.  
As always, the farm is a busy place on weekends, and on this day, the fields resemble a lush, romantic landscape painting.  Head Grower Dan Holmes is working the tractor, and chatting with CSA members from his perch atop the vehicle. 
A cow from the historic village has wandered over for a visit.
We all greet the first distribution of the season with great anticipation.  The first greens of Restoration Farm are abundant, but precious, and not to be taken for granted.  The chance to eat these healthful and tender green shoots – just hours old – is a rare pleasure, and I celebrate the inauguration of the 2012 season with salads of freshly picked spinach leaves, adorned with red onion, mandarin oranges and sunflower seeds.   
Eating the bright and vivacious salad is just like tasting the potential of the youthful growing season with each forkful. 
©2012 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved  

14 comments:

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Restoration Farms has certainly come alive. Even the cow came over to say hello. I would love to get my hands on some mizuna. I never seem to see it in our markets.
Sam

Barbara said...

I'd love to taste mizuna...it's somewhat like arugula but less peppery, right? The greens look wonderful, T.W., and your salad is a classic that lets them shine through.

Fresh Local and Best said...

Fresh spring greens are my favorite part of spring because they ar so much more tender, sweeter and flavorful than what you get at the store. These greens are beautiful.

tasteofbeirut said...

We don't have chard yet here, but plenty of parsley and dandelions! Love your waxing lyrical about this farm!

Zany said...

Once you get through a few salads, try grilling the greens (best is romaine) with some olive oil and salt and pepper. It's a great side dish!

Kat said...

I love greens, any kind, any time, any day!! They all look so good and healthy. I love the pitch fork photo.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

I don't think I'd ever tire of fresh picked young greens. I snack on them before they ever reach the salad bowl.

Anonymous said...

All of the salads & the greens look so tasty !! My salad leaves in my garden are also ready to consume!
There is nothing better than home grown or on that farm: fresh fruits & veggies!

Lovely pics too! :) A lovely post! ;)

Mary Bergfeld said...

I would so like to visit this place that gives you so much pleasure. I really would enjoy a salad made with those greens. They are mouth watering. Have a wondeful day. Blessings...Mary

Catherine said...

Dear T.W., The farm is thriving! It looks happy! I am so glad to see the beautiful greens it is producing. That is a perfect salad. Blessings, Catherine

~~louise~~ said...

Ah, The salad days at Restoration Farm, a crisp reminder of what's to come.

I look forward to you getting your hands and knees dirty and then enjoying every bitefull!

Thank you so much for sharing, T.W. It's going to be productive season for sure!!!

Gloria Baker said...

I lpve these pictures what nice have your own greens,, look beautiful!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I love you salad and I make a similar one but with pecans. It is all those years of living in Texas with pecan trees on our ranch. I'll try sunflower seeds next time I make it.

Peabody said...

Yay for CSA's!