I haven’t been to see live theater in ages, but my friend Karen invited me to see the new Sojourn Theater show On the Table last night and I loved it! Innovative, thought provoking and entertaining – I’d highly recommend it. Only showing for another week I think so check it out here asap.

Everyone is invited to picnic this Sunday July 25th at Luscher Farm with author Temra Costa. She’ll speak about her great new book Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat.

What: Portland Chefs Collaborative meeting & picnic with author Temra Costa
Where: Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Rd, West Linn, OR
When: Sunday July 25th, noon-2pm
How: Please carpool or bike, parking is limited

Picnic!! Bring your picnic lunch and everything you need to set up on the grass under the big beech tree and listen to Temra. Don’t forget a blanket and/or chairs and drinks.  If you want to bring extra to share, we’ll set up a table for extra bounty.

Questions? email portlandchefscollaborative@gmail.com

Hope you can join us!

I was invited again this year to be on a panel for the Oregon Sustainability Experience tours. These groups draw folks from all over the world to come for a week and learn about the innovative sustainability programs happening here. After an amazing lunch at Intel – thank you Bon Appetit – we talked about the challenges of balancing development and farmland protection. I was on the panel with David Bragdon-METRO President, Chair Tom Brian- Washington County Board of Commissioners, Bill MacKenzie-Communications Manager at Intel, and Jim Johnson – Land Use and Water Quality Coordinator, Oregon Department of Agriculture. Made for a lively discussion!

This week your share may include…

• Garlic: This looks more like what you’re used to buying in the store, but these have not been cured at all. We pulled them out of the ground this morning so they’re still green on the inside and won’t store well so eat them sooner rather than later! The variety is Music.
• Kohlrabi: Don’t be afraid! Never before have you met such a versatile vegetable. Peel off the outer skin and inside you find a sweet treat – imagine a cross between Jicama & Broccoli. Good raw with dip or grated on salads. Want to cook it – they’re good roasted or sauteed. And I bet they’d make a fabulous fritter!
• Lettuce Heads: Finally with this heat they have started to grow! Huge tasty crispy sweet heads of romaine lettuce this week. The green is Costal Star and the red, Outredgeous, was bred and selected right here in the PNW for organic production by Frank Morton at Wild Garden Seeds.
• Spring Onions: The bulbs are getting bigger and they have nice big greens on them too.
• Onion Scapes: These are the tasty flower stalks from onions and are similar to garlic scapes, but have a thick walled stem that are hollow inside.
• PEAS!! Sugar snap peas are at the peak of their flavor and production right now. Like sweet corn, the  sugars begin to turn to starch as soon as you pick them so eat them asap. But I didn’t really have to tell you that – bet some people’s peas barely made it through the ride home…
• Radish: This is the first year we’ve grown this variety called Cherriette and I’m impressed! They have a nice sweetness that balances out the spice. You can cook the greens too.
• Hakuri Turnips: These tender salad turnips are sweet but not too hot. Both the bulbs and greens can be eaten raw or sauteed.

Coming soon… Fava Beans!

Slow Food Portland is hosting this thoughtful panel discussion about food, labor & immigration TONITE at 7pm at First Unitarian Church, 1226 SW Salmon Street, Portland, OR. More info here

Grab your gloves! Everyone is invited…

Saturday July 3rd
1-5pm for Workin’
5pm-7pm for Potluck & BBQ
Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Rd., West Linn

Join us to learn more about urban farming, where your food comes from, and how to grow it.  After this crazy wet spring we really need your help to catch up with projects on the farm! There are lots of things to plant, trellis to build, and always more weeding. In addition, we will continue to work on the Luscher Farm Hedgerow using shrubs from the Wahoo Native Plant project.

You are welcome to bring family and friends- there will be things to do for folks of all ages and abilities. Kids are welcome to come help work or just hang out. We’ll provide snacks and drinks. You’ll get to sample all sorts of tasty treats from the garden. Please bring your favorite gardening tools and dress for the weather.

To celebrate all our hard work we’ll have a potluck afterward. Bring something to share and/or put on the BBQ.

Any Questions Call Laura at 503-777-4213
Hope to see you there!

Put the rest of the work parties on your calendar. They are always the first Sat of the month 1-5pm: August 7th, Sept 4th, and Oct 2nd.