Trial 4: Apple Scones

I couldn't sample, but loved smelling!

Stay tuned: Recipe sharing followed by Trial 5 and 6 experimentation...

TRIAL ONE: Lacto-Fermentation!

Lacto-Fermented Apple Chutney

Ingredients:

6 cups firm apples, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup whey

1/4 cup honey

1 cup walnuts

1 cup raisins

1 teaspoon sea salt

2-3 tablespoons 5-spice blend

1+ cup water

Method:

1. If whey is not readily accessible, pour yogurt through a cheesecloth and drain for 30-45 minutes. The liquid that accumulates from the yogurt is whey.

2. In a small bowl, toss chopped walnuts and raisins with sea salt and spice blend. Set aside.

3. Coarsely chop apples and place in a large bowl. Add reserved walnut and raisin mixture. Toss the entire batch with lemon juice, whey and honey until thoroughly combined.

4. Transfer to a clean, half-gallon jar or crock. Pack down all the ingredients and add 1+ cup of liquid so that at least 1/2" of the water covers the top of the ingredients. Cover rightly with a lid or plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Let sit at room temperature for 2-3 days. Each day, check for mold growing on the surface and skim away. Burp the jar if necessary. When the texture has reached the desired consistency (taste-test each day), transfer to the fridge in an air-tight container. Eat as is or serve on yogurt, kefir, cereal, waffles, pancakes or alongside grilled meat.

Note: 5-spice blend is available in Asian markets or in the spice section of most super markets.

grape-pressing late into night

There's no going back to bottled juice after this.

back from the (EPIC) Common Ground Country Fair!

Boothbay, ME

I never thought any experience would feel remotely so good as face-planting into the ocean, but let me tell you, sea kayaking is a close second.

tree through a flatbed

P.S. Second NYFC blog post, now live!

a porcupine roosting in an apple tree!

I was worried this fellah was going to charge me as I took this photo, but after universal chuckles, Rob (fellow apprentice) assured me that porcupines don't "charge."

twelve feet high in an apple tree!

found the marlboro apple!

low tide at sunset

Eliza

Tide was too far in for a swim -- but did a face, leg and arm baby-bath. Licked my salty lips the whole way home.

lobster feast (for me, tutorial) last night

the weather gods like flash photography

Fell asleep to lightning -- no thunder -- last night. Bright white flashes, so frequently, across a half-lit sky.

after an epic, 10-hour tomato canning day...

Emily sliced open this little tomato and found a tree inside!

P.S. Em thinks this might've been a jaune flamme tomato.

rainy saturday

My first week at the orchard has come to a close. It's Saturday and raining; I can hear John wood-working in the barn down the road. Emily is canning tomatoes in the kitchen; Eliza is on a boat; Rob is kayaking.

There are a couple large cabbages ready for picking and I think the leeks have reached a good size--I think I'll make this Japanese pancake today (minus the flour) and begin reading Endurance by Alfred Lansing.

This ugly little bugger might be the world's most perfect food. It's called a "Trailman," and tastes like no food (or apple) I've ever had in my life.

Signing off for now; more soon.

heirloom corn (for meal) harvest

Spent my 24th birthday harvesting corn, singing oldies on the flatbed (blaring from the old truck) and eating artichoke fritattas and melon so ripe it tasted like wine.