Sunday I was visiting my parents' farm in Wisconsin. I also happened to pick some vegetables to take home while there. When my mother let the chickens out, they headed straight toward the veggies and a few even took some pecks out of the tomatoes.
According to my mother, the chickens LOVE tomatoes.
This evening I made this delicious watermelon and cucumber salad from the cookbook Kale and Caramel. So delicious with pumpkin seed and Thai basil lime dressing on top and scattered toasted pumpkin seeds.
Nasturtium flowers are easy to grow here in the Midwest, USA. They really are effortless, provide nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies, and both leaves and flowers are edible. I find there is no need to spray them either, so they are totally organic and pesticide free.
Here are a couple ideas. The first is just as a garnish for almost anything. Here with vanilla ice cream. I've also put them on cakes, salads, and omelettes.
Here is a video of me making the top dish of Nasturtium Dolmas found on the On Vegetables cook book by Jeremy Fox.
I was at my parent's farm in Wisconsin over the weekend.
The sunflowers and Queen Anne's Lace were in full bloom.
Also the yarrow and black eyed Susan. You know, I just realized how many of the flowers are either purple or yellow.
Anyway, things are growing like crazy out there -- including the chickens.
The English lavender is ready to harvest! It's the most fragrant thing in my house. In fact, I can smell it as I list and look at the photos I am posting.
But I have decided to dry this lavender. I will rubber band it and hang it upside down. When dry, I will shake and brush the buds off for later use. English lavender is good for culinary purposes too.
I also picked some wild daisies and cornflowers at my parent's farm in Wisconsin. I was there to wish my father a Happy Father's Day. Wishing all fathers a blessed day.
