tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75649956376386144642024-03-08T12:50:33.076-08:00Community Gardening at the Greenhouse of Martha's Vineyard Formerly COMSOGRecipes, gardening tips and activities at the Greenhouse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-26362025795225532020-02-21T16:51:00.002-08:002020-02-21T17:22:42.871-08:00Our Future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you ever walk in a forest and wonder how the trees grew so large without fertilizer and irrigation? This is a task I urge you to do. The future of our existence and our children and grandchildren depend upon it. The world and its plants will somehow continue without us. They have the ability to adapt and believe it or not to feed themselves and store water, but do we have the ability to feed ourselves, protect the atmosphere, and conserve the water we need for ourselves and our children?<br />
We do, if we learn from the plants.<br />
A tree grows and pulls up nutrients from deep in the ground. In the winter the leaves drop, the cold kills the green vegetation growing in the shade of the tree, their roots covered with fungus. The micro organisms in the earth turn the waste on the ground into humus, a powerful fertilizer with the capacity to store great quantities of water. The mighty tree shades the soil and conserves water, it absorbs CO2 and turns it into leaves. The leaves drop the carbon to the soil where microbes and fungi turn it into humus. A powerful way to sequester carbon.<br />
Can we grow beautiful plants with organic fertilizer? Yes, and it is very much a better alternative to commercial fertilizer, but it still has a carbon footprint. By using leaves and paper and cardboard we can build humus and reduce our carbon footprint. By mulching with green plant material we can add the nitrogen needed to improve the soil and by mulching with old wood chips or straw we can retain moisture in the soil as well as protect the microbes and fungi necessary to complete the cycle.<br />
Tilling the soil will provide the plants with an immediate release of nutrients, similar to turning a compost pile and adding air. The process of breaking down the soil structure increases decomposition and releases nutrients, but it inhibits the formation of humus, and the growth of fungi. Scientists are only just beginning to learn the role and importance of fungi in the soil.<br />
There are projects all over the world where people are greening the deserts using the principles of regenerative gardening gleaned from watching the trees and learning from nature so we can use these principles to save our future and the future of our children.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-9468601016705080792019-10-21T20:08:00.002-07:002023-11-07T19:13:46.337-08:00Highlights of 2019<br />
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The Greenhouse has had a bountiful year. The Spring Sale was hugely successful and we have about 130 members. Many of these are new members. </h3>
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<br />The membership program is at the core of our success. Every year we teach gardeners how to be successful at growing their own gardens though hands on activities inside the greenhouse and in our own outside garden. <br />
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There were two focuses this year. We grew most of our plants from seeds this year. We learned about the individual needs of each seedling in order to germinate. We kept logs of how many seeds were started, how long the average germination period was, what the temperature needs were, whether they needed light or darkness, and any other specific needs such as stratification. Members were responsible for making decisions about planting depth and the best location in the greenhouse for germination.<br /><br /><br />
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Another focus this year was broadening our understanding of regenerative gardening. We have been trying methods of natural pest control, no till gardening, worm towers and soil building. We hatched three praying mantis ootheca (egg sacs). It was astounding to watch the nymphs cascade down from the casing and scurry around the greenhouse.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uikR38b-wIY/Xa5vcG4pmsI/AAAAAAAAGNk/704NimMH2nsR6uxQ-FnySnPgNg6k9m44ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2348.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uikR38b-wIY/Xa5vcG4pmsI/AAAAAAAAGNk/704NimMH2nsR6uxQ-FnySnPgNg6k9m44ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2348.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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We had a lot of community involvement this year. Students from the high school helped us prep our garden beds. Another student created a worm tower presentation for the Science Fair. We had an Open House for Earth Day Open to the public and we taught a lesson on growing micro greens at home at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-86223694513040327452019-05-01T19:40:00.003-07:002019-05-01T19:40:50.603-07:00Yearly Fund Raiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our volunteers have madly been planting, flowers and vegetables to delight your senses and fill your tummies. Please stop and help us have another successful year of growing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-90946277885956883352019-04-09T19:27:00.000-07:002019-04-09T19:27:35.092-07:00<br />
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<em><span style="color: #5b8828;"><span style="font-family: garamond, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
are invited to an Open House at The Greenhouse, </span></span></span></em>
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<em><span style="color: #5b8828;"><span style="font-family: garamond, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">114
New York Avenue</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #5b8828;"> <span style="font-family: garamond, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">on
Sunday, April 14, to celebrate Spring.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #5b8828;"> <span style="font-family: garamond, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From
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Spring flowers are blooming and that means the greenhouse is warm and green. We have plenty of greens to pick and flowers to take home. Our alyssum and pansies are outside hardening off and waiting to find a home. We also have some perennial flowers and butterfly bush for those of us who can't wait to start planting.<br />
Have you been learning about permaculture? Come see our worm tower and the amazing plants that it has produced. It is an old plastic tub and uses waste PVC for the tower. It makes an easy way to compost food waste like melon rinds and also composts paper and leaves. The happy worms travel from the tower to the soil and fertilize the plants.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-89258108275919954792018-10-15T19:36:00.002-07:002018-10-15T19:36:56.006-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Come Celebrate</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XhUbd919cY/W8VM8LmkwKI/AAAAAAAAGIc/rpWMTZtrGsIaIuTfmbQTyCek9hr46C9TwCLcBGAs/s1600/poly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XhUbd919cY/W8VM8LmkwKI/AAAAAAAAGIc/rpWMTZtrGsIaIuTfmbQTyCek9hr46C9TwCLcBGAs/s200/poly.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-5zGDkwOhw/W8VIPGBofjI/AAAAAAAAGIU/i9scY9olhxs6SOBamFP18g9q93SifAofgCEwYBhgL/s1600/pig%2Bdinner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-5zGDkwOhw/W8VIPGBofjI/AAAAAAAAGIU/i9scY9olhxs6SOBamFP18g9q93SifAofgCEwYBhgL/s400/pig%2Bdinner2.jpg" width="250" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">After a successful spring and summer season the greenhouse is greeting the fall with a pig roast fund raiser. We are inviting the community to join us. There will be good food and a silent auction.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The greenhouse has much to celebrate. We have a new poly roof, one new fan and 140 members.</span> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-33620547620998111332018-05-08T18:49:00.001-07:002018-05-08T18:49:20.042-07:00Annual Spring Plant Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past winter, the greenhouse crew was working hard to put together a bonanza of flowers and vegetables for our Vineyard Gardens. Membership has been actively starting cuttings and seedlings and the greenhouse is bursting with color. There are hanging baskets of every color, and pots of flowers and greenery for window boxes. Kale, lettuce, and tatsoi are hardened off and ready to plant and of course there are tomatoes. There are 40 varieties of tomatoes this year. We have heirloom and hybrid, determinate and indeterminate. We have red, yellow, orange, and purple and of course everybody's favorite cherry tomato, Sungold.<br />
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Geraniums a greenhouse favorite are selling fast.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-35847944405450227192016-10-25T08:40:00.001-07:002016-10-25T08:40:19.664-07:00Fall Festivities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFKPFDztRiM/WA95s3Qc_2I/AAAAAAAAGFg/JjNVsdcKXoIvJ3Vryr9NP36h1Uw96yL4wCLcB/s1600/pig%2Broast.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFKPFDztRiM/WA95s3Qc_2I/AAAAAAAAGFg/JjNVsdcKXoIvJ3Vryr9NP36h1Uw96yL4wCLcB/s320/pig%2Broast.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Greenhouse is celebrating fall with a Pig Roast Dinner.</div>
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The pig was donated by <a href="http://www.scapegoatsgoatscaping.com/">Scapegoats Goatscaping</a> and being prepared by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chef-Deons-Kitchen/100236073396245">Chef Deon</a>. This is truly a cooperative event that help us fundraise for a new roof. The greenhouse is growing plenty of lettuce and other greens for a sample of our bountiful <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunitySolarGreenhouse">Greenhouse</a> salads. </div>
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We are also asking local community members to provide music and items for a silent auction.</div>
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Members are setting up and waiting tables. Interested? email: <a href="mailto:diane_sylvia2000@yahoo.com">diane_sylvia2000@yahoo.com</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-91062242042919299802016-05-02T12:23:00.001-07:002016-05-02T12:23:10.756-07:00Spring Plant Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been another amazing year of friendship and growing at the greenhouse. And the members have been busier than ever. We still have all the awesome tomatoes but we have new friendships blooming. There are many new members and many new flowers, lantana and blue fan flower, cosmos and zinnia of various colors and heights, marigolds in yellow, orange and gold.<br />
Members have been picking greens all winter; kale, swiss chard, frisee, lettuce and radishes have made many a delicious salad for working members to enjoy. We have been meeting on Wednesdays and Saturdays at about 10:00.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-82070411385869040062015-04-30T19:09:00.000-07:002015-05-01T03:32:32.346-07:00Spring Plant Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rNRMMfhiUk/VULVSFk4F7I/AAAAAAAAGCg/fNhUyywBP5E/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rNRMMfhiUk/VULVSFk4F7I/AAAAAAAAGCg/fNhUyywBP5E/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Hillbilly Tomatoes waiting for a home ! Beautiful red, pink beefsteak streaked with yellow and orange. This is just one of the many choices of heirloom tomatoes available. Also there are hot and sweet peppers. <a href="http://www.iowasource.com/food/cooks_0807.html">Jimmy Nardello</a>, Yummy, and Alma Paprika are some of my favorites. <br />
The Spring Sale begins May 9th and lasts for the month. <br />
Everybody expects tomatoes, eggplants and peppers from the Greenhouse but this year we also have a great assortment of flowers and hanging baskets. The members have been busy starting the tiny seeds and transplanting them into their pots where they wait for their final home. On Wednesdays, the volunteers make soup and salad for lunch and share their plant knowledge.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-54293215993011602752014-10-04T17:49:00.000-07:002014-10-04T17:49:23.202-07:00Fall Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfAO08nFB_0/VDCUIMvlwyI/AAAAAAAAGBg/7yEqAOUcOd8/s1600/fallfest2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfAO08nFB_0/VDCUIMvlwyI/AAAAAAAAGBg/7yEqAOUcOd8/s1600/fallfest2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 503px;">The Greenhouse is gearing up for its Fall Festival. We will be working on Wednesday to spruce up the house and plant the rest of the lettuce. We need volunteers for baking, and manning the booths.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfAO08nFB_0/VDCUIMvlwyI/AAAAAAAAGBg/7yEqAOUcOd8/s1600/fallfest2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-5423760711426686022014-03-22T07:46:00.000-07:002014-03-22T07:46:23.383-07:00Springtime in the Greenhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-C4AmkRucU/Uy2dTaDfPII/AAAAAAAAF_M/UFcxPrG45wQ/s1600/green14+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-C4AmkRucU/Uy2dTaDfPII/AAAAAAAAF_M/UFcxPrG45wQ/s1600/green14+001.JPG" height="214" width="320" /> </a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Ladies Have Arrived</span></strong></div>
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This has been a tough year for aphids on the diplodenia. We used several methods to control them. Pruning, a hard spray of water and safer soap. Now, it is all up to the lady bugs. did you know that there are at least 200 kinds of aphids. The ones on the diplodenia plants are orange. Aphids reproduce sexually and asexually. One female hatched in spring can produce thousands of decendants. When a male is need they can change sex and produce eggs that can withstand winters harsh weather and if food gets scarce they grow wings and fly to a new plant. </div>
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The greenhouse has been busy with volunteers starting pepper, tomato and eggplant seedlings. the spring sale will begin the Saturday before Mother's Day May, 10th. </div>
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We are also going to celebrate Earth Day with a festival on April 12th. Come help us start squash and cukes or just peruse the plants and start planning your garden. We will have paperwhites, violas and other flowers to buy and beans for the kiddies to start.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-9994637308576573272014-02-19T18:23:00.000-08:002014-03-22T07:53:26.450-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Herbed Vinegar<br />
<br />
Add clean herbs to the bottle. Wine bottles work well.<br />
<br />
Some herb combinations:<br />
Chive, tarragon, basil<br />
Sage, rosemary, thyme<br />
Basil, thyme, oregano<br />
Basil, garlic chives<br />
Tarragon, garlic chives<br />
<br />
Fill the bottle with vinegar to within an inch of the top. Make sure that the herbs are covered. Let the vinegar steep for at least 2 weeks. You can use any type of vinegar, but white vinegar is the best to preserve the flavor of the herbs.<br />
Use within 6 months.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-57435432729738001772014-02-19T18:22:00.001-08:002014-03-22T08:34:22.511-07:00New Seedlings at the Greenhouse<span class="imgph" id="yui_3_10_0_1_1392854054152_467"></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--spKZKFl8s0/Uy2tIpokbqI/AAAAAAAAF_w/q9GSZk_h4k4/s1600/greenhouse+fall+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--spKZKFl8s0/Uy2tIpokbqI/AAAAAAAAF_w/q9GSZk_h4k4/s1600/greenhouse+fall+2013.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
What a crew we had today. We have started the seeds for the hot peppers and most of the eggplants. We also planted a new lettuce bed. We enjoyed a freshly made greenhouse salad with French bread and finished with cupcakes. It was sunny and warm. A little island of summer locked in a sea of ice! <br />
Here are some suggestions for starting seeds.<br />
<br />
Guidelines for Starting Seedlings<br />
<br />
<div style="page-break-before: auto;">
1. The general rule is that seeds
should have a sterile pot and potting mix with no fertilizer.
Potting mixes prevent soil compaction and are free of insects,
disease and weed seeds. A soil that is fine outside where nature can
keep these pests at bay, would put your seedlings at risk of
problems like damping off and cut worms, and compact soil makes it
difficult for tender new roots to develop.</div>
<br />
At the greenhouse, we use Promix which is a mixture of sphagnum
moss, perlite, vermiculite, dolomite lime (to stabilize the pH) and a
wetting agent for even water absorption.<br />
<br />
<div style="page-break-before: auto;">
<em>Spagnum moss is well draining yet
water retentive.</em></div>
<em>
Perlite looks like styrofoam but is a volcanic mineral. It aids in
air and water retention.</em><br />
<em>
Vermiculite is a mica-type material that is heated and expanded.
It holds water and nutrients until the plants are ready to use them.</em><br />
<em>
Dolomite lime sweetens the mix which is naturally acidic.</em><br />
<em>
The wetting agent makes it easier to wet the mix.</em><br />
<br />
2. The potting mix should thoroughly damp but not soggy before
using. If the soil is not wet place the tray on a soaker tray until
the surface just begins to show the wetness. Don't let the mix get
too wet or the seeds could rot.<br />
<br />
3. Fill 6 packs with mix and gently tamp it down. About ¼ inch
from top is good. Put one seed in each compartment. Read the package for the seed
depth. 1/8 to ¼ inch is typical depending on the size of the seed.
Larger seeds are planted deeper, for example, beans are planted 2”
deep. Some seeds need light to germinate and should be placed on
the soil, others need darkness to germinate and are planted deeper.
<br />
<br />
4. Label each 6 pack with specific name, and date planted.
Flower seeds should be marked with height. Zinnias and marigolds,
for example, come in cut flower and border heights.<br />
<br />
5. Place seedling in a germination bed or on a heat mat or other warm
place. It is important to read germination temperature. Some seeds
germinate at cooler temperatures. Most vegetable like to germinate
at about 75, but some flowers need lower temperatures.<br />
<br />
6. Most seeds need to be kept moist to germinate. Check seeds in
the germination bed to make sure the soil is damp and sand under the flat is
also damp. Soggy soil can rot the seeds so it is important not to
over-water.
<br />
<br />
6. Seeds in the germination bed have a humid environment because
of the plastic cover. You can also do this with a plastic dome. It is a
good idea to remove the plastic for a short time everyday to give the plants fresh air.<br />
<br />
Betsy brought us a recipe to try with all the kale at the greenhouse.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Kale Salad<br /><br />This was one of the winning recipes from the Slow Food sponsored kale cook off & festival in 2011 at Mermaid Farm & dairy.<br /><br />1 large bunch of kale (about 12 leaves) removed from the stalk<br />1 tsp coarse salt<br />11/2 tbls apple cider vinegar<br />1 tbls extra virgin olive oil<br />1/4 cup dried cranberries<br />1/4 cup toasted sunflower kernels<br />1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese<br />1crisp apple, diced small<br /><br /><br />Tear or slice kale in thin strips. In a large bowl, mix kale with salt & message vigorously for 3 minutes!! This breaks down the fibers & releases some of the bitter flavor. (This causes the kale to shrivel up & you have way less kale than you thought!!) Toss with vinegar & evoo! Add remaining ingredients & serve!!!<br /><br />(If doubling recipe, do not double the amount of salt.....then it becomes too salty!!)<br />
</h3>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-46253004214237389472013-10-03T19:32:00.001-07:002016-11-11T04:19:00.607-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ycb54Jb-6U/UlLQbSFVheI/AAAAAAAAF-w/N9zl6cjKznQ/s1600/lemon+cuke+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ycb54Jb-6U/UlLQbSFVheI/AAAAAAAAF-w/N9zl6cjKznQ/s200/lemon+cuke+2.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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A popular cuke at the Greenhouse is the heirloom lemon cucumber. When fully ripe, it is a bright lemony color. It’s small size makes it a great snack or perfect single serving in a salad. It is never bitter but has a sweet crisp flavor. When slightly under ripe, it is great for pickling. I tried it in a recipe for freezer bread and butter pickles and they were terrific. I shared they pickles with the greenhouse crew at our last Wednesday worker’s lunch. We also had Betsy’s dip and Ken’s famous hotdogs.<br />
<br />
Here are the directions for the pickles:<br />
Mix 4 cups of thinly sliced cucumbers with 1 very thinly sliced onion and 2 tsp salt. <br />
Let this sit in a colander for 2 hours.<br />
Meanwhile combine 1-¼ cups of vinegar (apple or distilled) with ½ cup of honey in a sauce pan and heat until the honey is dissolved.<br />
Add ½ tsp ground turmeric and ¼ tsp each of celery seeds, black pepper and ground mustard. Let this cool.<br />
Pack the cucumber mixture into glass jars leaving an inch at the top. Pour in the brine to just barely cover the pickles. Freeze.<br />
<br />
Betsy Cabana brought a tomatillo and avocado dip.<br />
Cut up 8 tomatillos and puree them with the juice of 1 lime, pepper and salt to taste, and one avocado. <br />
Dice another avocado and a red onion and add to the pureed mixture to add some texture.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-77109913420038215222013-09-26T18:24:00.000-07:002013-10-04T10:06:47.048-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4YRgKK1yn4/UkTb3ZOAPVI/AAAAAAAAF-U/846AEbLMnCI/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4YRgKK1yn4/UkTb3ZOAPVI/AAAAAAAAF-U/846AEbLMnCI/s320/IMG_0835.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Drying Flowers<br />
The greenhouse has cockscomb celosia, globe amaranth, strawflowers, statice and amaranth for drying.<br />
<br />
Harvest your flowers after the dew has dried. <br />
Remove the leaves form the lower stem.<br />
Tie 5 to 10 stems together with a rubber band.<br />
Choose a place to dry the flowers that is dark and dry. Air flow or a dehumidifier will speed the process.<br />
Hang the bouquet upside down.<br />
It should take between 24 hours and 2 weeks to dry your flowers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-90899347458900136512013-09-21T19:30:00.003-07:002013-09-26T18:08:26.883-07:00OK Okra!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ3XPb2JDlM/Uj5QzzZ6b3I/AAAAAAAAF9Y/10VBD53WkrU/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ3XPb2JDlM/Uj5QzzZ6b3I/AAAAAAAAF9Y/10VBD53WkrU/s320/IMG_0831.JPG" width="213" /></a>Have you seen the okra at the Greenhouse? It is beautiful in the sun. We sold a lot of it at the Oak Bluffs Open Market, but we are finished for the season. Come pick some it is very prolific and needs to be picked every 2 or 3 days. Ellen Desheneux shared a recipe with us.</div>
<br />
Sauté garlic to taste in olive oil, add sliced okra (8-12 depending on
size, cubed tomatillo (6-8 depending on size) and stir fry until tender.
Add one can organic diced herb tomatoes (Muir Glen) for stir fry and
two cans for a more stew like recipe. Serve with shredded fresh basil.<br />
<br />
If you like a little meat you can add some chicken and stir fry it with the garlic or try <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/okra-and-tomatoes-recipe/index.html">Paula Dean's recipe with bacon</a>. I saw a recipe with great reviews for <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Okra/">roasted okra</a>. Worth a try on the cooler days.<br />
<br />
If you are still enjoying your grill, you could try Phylis Jampol's favorite. Just throw it on the grill!<br />
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Check out the<a href="http://comsog.blogspot.com/"> Greenhouse Blog </a>for more recipes using vegetables available at the Greenhouse.<br />
<br />
The Fall Festival is fast approaching and there is a lot of work to do. Max King started seedlings that will be good to put in a cold frame. We will also be having a perennial swap at the festival so start planning and divide your plants to share.<br />
Meanwhile we need to clean up the greenhouse and gardens.<br />
<br />
See you on Wednesday. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-55146446432668753342013-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:002013-09-05T21:50:09.594-07:00Gazpacho Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1FZxkmRhMm8/Uik6wlzWjhI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/EVfzRXOexmk/s1600/fall+fest+1(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1FZxkmRhMm8/Uik6wlzWjhI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/EVfzRXOexmk/s320/fall+fest+1(1).jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
The Wednesday Crew is gearing up for the Fall Festival. Cuttings have been started as well as seedlings. There will be lots of activities including a perennial swap and honey extraction! <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06uQ2atrXF4/Uik9aTIYiOI/AAAAAAAAF6g/VG8dEr98Np4/s1600/DSCF3408.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06uQ2atrXF4/Uik9aTIYiOI/AAAAAAAAF6g/VG8dEr98Np4/s200/DSCF3408.JPG" width="133" /></a>Meanwhile, the open markets continue in Oak Bluffs. Tomatoes, eggplant, okra and flowers have been good sellers.<br />
I have been making a lot of gazpacho. Most of the ingredients are available at the Greenhouse.<br />
Have you noticed the new sign yet? We are now "the Greenhouse of Martha's Vineyard."<br />
<br />
Here is my favorite recipe for Gazpacho. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7108" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7268">Gazpacho</b></div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7209" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
6 large ripe juicy tomatoes</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7211" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1/3 cup red wine vinegar</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
¼ cup olive oil</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
3 cloves garlic</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1 fresh chopped jalapeno or half a garden salsa pepper</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7270" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1 cut up red onion</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7272" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Process tomatoes and garlic until pureed. Depending on audience I also puree the onion and hot pepper. If you prefer you can chunk them and add them with the following vegetables.</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7274" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1 chopped green pepper</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7276" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1/3 cup of mixture of basil and Italian parsley chopped</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7278" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1 chopped large cucumber</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7280" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2 tsp salt</div>
<div class="yiv5966934819MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378435093993_7282" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Fresh black pepper</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Pulse in the food processor until vegetables are chopped but not pureed.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-40372806910835574322013-08-05T15:35:00.000-07:002013-08-05T15:35:17.655-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Comsog is a Hit at the Open Market in Oak Bluffs</h2>
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Every Sunday at 8:00 AM we meet up at the Greenhouse to pick tomatoes, flowers, cucumber, okra and eggplant to sell at the open market. The market is from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We are also selling plants, herbs and hanging baskets. Come join us!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-65395102891056634332013-05-04T17:55:00.001-07:002013-05-04T17:55:57.503-07:00Plant and Seedling Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjFHv2oMXgc/UYWRc30GhpI/AAAAAAAAFpo/0rSPgderUqc/s1600/plant+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjFHv2oMXgc/UYWRc30GhpI/AAAAAAAAFpo/0rSPgderUqc/s320/plant+sale.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Members have been busy this spring. The greenhouse is bursting with vegetable seedlings. Heirloom tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplants are looking happy and so are the volunteers. All winter we have been meeting on Wednesdays at the greenhouse enjoying soups and salads. There has been plenty of lettuce and kale as well as kohlrabi and swiss chard. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/swiss-chard-tart-pasticcio-di-bietole-al-forno-recipe/index.html">(Click here for a recipe for a swiss chard tart.)</a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVwIC-v69q4/UYWc86zA8zI/AAAAAAAAFqI/Cuxge3F2uJU/s1600/DSCF3100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" lua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jVwIC-v69q4/UYWc86zA8zI/AAAAAAAAFqI/Cuxge3F2uJU/s200/DSCF3100.JPG" width="200" /></a>There are lots of flowers this year as well. We have the usual 6 packs of gazania and portulaca. We have added cutting flowers and will have a cutting garden at the greenhouse this summer. We have hanging baskets ready to go but we also have a special sale on wave petunnias and fuchsia for you to create your own baskets.<br />
Our <a href="http://www.mvtimes.com/2013/04/23/comsog-earth-day-celebration-was-full-color-15247/">Earthday celebration</a> was a great success. We had many community members come and donate time. Lots of winter squash was started for the sale. Hot dogs, greens, tea and cookies were enjoyed by all ages. Children had fun seeding sunflowers in egg carton pots.<br />
This year we have some new items for sale. New tomatoes include Legend and Red Robin. Legend is an early blight resistant tomato. Red Robin is a cherry tomato that can be grown in a hanging basket. <a href="http://www.reimerseeds.com/sheepnose-pimento-sweet-peppers.aspx">Sheepnose Pimento</a> and <a href="http://www.territorialseed.com/product/1055/219">Tequila Sunrise</a> are new sweet peppers. <br />
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Hot peppers range from the ever popular mildly hot Ancho to the fiery Red Habanero. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-62089826907826259532012-12-10T11:32:00.003-08:002012-12-10T12:28:16.822-08:00Let's Celebrate Together!<a href="http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/thanksgiving-cactus.html"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/thanksgiving-cactus.html"><img align="right" alt="crab cactus, thanksgiving cactus" height="157" src="http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/image-files/crab-cactus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/thanksgiving-cactus.html">Read about the Thanksgiving Cactus.</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">COMSOG’S HAPPY HOLIDAY PARTY IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13TH!</span> </h3>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Time: 6pm to 9ish – Location: Thalia Scanlan’s house at 444 Lambert’s Cove Rd. Bring your favorite finger foods, appetizers, desserts – whatever tasty treats you’d like to share! We’ll provide plentY of libations – hard and soft... hot and cold!!! Also – to add to the fun — bring a small wrapped gift $10 or under – for our “Chinese Auction” - or Grab-Bag. It’s always a great time to share the joys of the season while we take a small time-out from the greenhouse for family and fun!<br /><br />Need help? Thalia’s home phone is 508-696-0305 or (M) 508-221-0414.<br /><br />LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wednesday December 12th we will meet at Ken and Alba's house to send out membership information and renewal forms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Our January meeting at the greenhouse will be a planning meeting. Bring fund raising and planting ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lots of greens are growing in the greenhouse. Do you have a favorite kale recipe?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-11187740228694825682012-09-16T19:07:00.002-07:002023-11-07T19:16:15.774-08:00A World of Heirloom Tomatoes<div style="clear: left; float: left; height: 280px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 278px;"><br />
Read Thalia's interview with Catherine Walthers in Martha's Viineyard Magazine, <em>A World of Heirloom Tomatoes</em>. </div>
Things have been busy all summer at COMSOG. The flowers in the back garden are magnificent. the worker bees have been collecting them and drying them for flower arranging this fall. Chris Legge will be teaching us all. Hopefully there will be a class at the Fall Festival in October. <br />
September 29th is the Living Local Festival and COMSOG will be participating. If you would like to be a part of this please call Betsy Cabana.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-12893025018009060422012-07-25T19:48:00.000-07:002012-07-25T19:48:34.057-07:00Summer Bounty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rains have blessed us with a beautiful display. The back gardens are full of flowers. Come pick a bouquet for $5.00. Bring a coffee can for picking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The tomatoes are doing fine this year. Covering them with netting has kept away the deer and the crows</span>.<br />
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Tomato, Cucumbers, Peppers, and Basil<br />
As I checked off the vegetables at Comsog, it sounded like a recipe for gazpacho. I flipped through my recipe file and found this recipe to share. <br />
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Garden Gazpacho<br />
6 large tomatoes<br />
1 large cucumber ( I used 2 pickling cucumbers)<br />
1 medium onion (I like red but there are some nice spring onions in the greenhouse.)<br />
1 green pepper (You could use the Corno del Toro or Poblano)<br />
1 jalapeno<br />
3 cloves of garlic (I guess you will have to go to the store!)<br />
1/3 cup herbs basil, parsley, cilantro or mix ( There are 3 kinds of basil.)<br />
1/4 cup olive oil<br />
1/3 cup red wine vinegar<br />
2 tsp salt<br />
pepper to taste<br />
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Chunk the vegetable. Puree the tomatoes, garlic and hot pepper. Add cukes, onion and green pepper and along with the herbs, vinegar and olive oil. Pulse until vegetables are chopped to your liking. It is good to leave some texture. Chill.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-1970195462437211052012-05-25T04:03:00.004-07:002023-11-07T19:19:06.731-08:00The Determinant Tomato<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.brighterblooms.com/images/D/Rutgers-Tomato-2_220.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">The terms determinant and indeterminant after the description of a tomato are confusing to most novice gardeners. After all we may have only seen that word, determinant, in math class when we studied matrices. Most of us will have forgotten what a matrix is and a determinant was found by a formula we briefly memorized and never again used. But the word is important to remember in tomato varieties. </span></span></a><a href="http://www.brighterblooms.com/images/D/Rutgers-Tomato-2_220.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"> A determinant tomato plant has a different growing habit that can be beneficial in our garden. First, it is usually a smaller plant. When the plant starts producing flowers, it stops growing and focuses on producing fruit. It also does not need pruning. These are great attributes for smaller gardens or tomatoes grown in a pot. The fruit all matures within a couple os weeks. This is great for canning or making sauce or anyone who will be leaving at the end of the summer! One of the most popular determinant tomatoes is Celebrity. Another is Rutgers</span></span></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-43938456877302935572012-05-05T17:09:00.001-07:002012-05-05T17:09:49.684-07:00Spring Plant Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Mother's Day is fast approaching and COMSOG is prepared with many hanging baskets and other surprises for the garden. There are petunias and fushias ready to hang or geraniums, gazanias, and portulaca to put in pots or the flower beds. Gazania is especially carefree and suited to the soil on Martha's Vineyard.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Kw4lCtYOM0/T6We1GU18gI/AAAAAAAAFGM/7SGvmH51BY0/s1600/DSCF3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Kw4lCtYOM0/T6We1GU18gI/AAAAAAAAFGM/7SGvmH51BY0/s320/DSCF3099.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">But don't forget the vegetable gardens. Comsog is known for their many heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Cherokee purple is my new favorite tomato. Very dense and sweet, its shape is like a beefsteak tomato.</span><br />
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<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="200" data-width="240" height="166" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5-mlWiSxld_ylJ4stx_KCKcKpUz2oc5u8szAJwY43I3UNuazlwQ" style="height: 200px; width: 240px;" width="200" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Come and see the Greenhouse, enjoy the colors and the fresh lettuce but don't forget Mom!</span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564995637638614464.post-30102632043509078342012-04-25T07:08:00.001-07:002012-04-25T18:44:19.235-07:00Spring Awakening<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVj8TwZJ0_A/T5f9e-CMMeI/AAAAAAAAFFU/ZK0u8z0wdtI/s1600/DSCF3096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVj8TwZJ0_A/T5f9e-CMMeI/AAAAAAAAFFU/ZK0u8z0wdtI/s320/DSCF3096.JPG" width="235" /></a>The Greenhouse is awakening after a warm, quiet winter. The volunteers are busy and the greenhouse is full of color. Many tomato plants have been started, as well as herbs and flowers.<br />
"Soup on Wednesday" at the planting parties has been a great hit. And we have also had many cakes and salads. Plenty of fresh lettuce at Comsog!!</div>
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The Eggplant Soup from Alba had rave reviews.</div>
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ROASTED EGGPLANT SOUP (Bon Appetit)</div>
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3 medium tomatoes, halved</div>
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1 large eggplant (1.5 lbs) halved lengthwise</div>
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1 small onion, halved</div>
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6 large cloves garlic, peeled</div>
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2 tblsp olive oil</div>
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2 tblsp fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried (maybe more)</div>
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4 cups (or more) chicken broth</div>
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I cup whipping cream (optional but good)</div>
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Preheat oven to 400.</div>
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Place Tomatoes, eggplant, onion and garlic on large baking sheet.</div>
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Brush veggies with oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roast until tender and brown in spots (about 45 min.)</div>
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Scoop eggplant from skin into heavy large saucepan: discard skin</div>
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Add remaining roasted veggies and thyme to saucepan.</div>
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Add chicken broth and boil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reduce heat to simmer and cook until onion is very tender—about 45 min. Cool slightly.</div>
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In batches, puree in blender until smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper and thyme if needed.</div>
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Return to saucepan and stir in cream if you decide to use it. You can use less cream than is called for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simmer and thin with more stock if desired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Season with salt and pepper.</div>
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Serve with a round of goat cheese on top. </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VOlE4PFFzcs/S24TcnMHNCI/AAAAAAAAI74/uLlof7XOQ-A/s1600/DSCN4007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="8 week bambino eggplant, first flower open at last" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VOlE4PFFzcs/S24TcnMHNCI/AAAAAAAAI74/uLlof7XOQ-A/s144/DSCN4007.JPG" /></a>Many varieties of eggplant have been started. My favorite is Bambino, a small eggplant good for grilling and stir frying. </div>
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Speaking of soup, now is a good time to make <a href="http://comsog.blogspot.com/2010/11/portuguese-kale-soup.html"><span style="color: #993322;">kale soup.</span></a> There is still plenty of kale at the greenhouse. </div>
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There is also plenty of swiss chard. Why not try Thalia's suggestions and use the large leaves to stuff like grape leaves. I had steamed chard in my scambled eggs the other day. Delish!</div>
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