Monday, April 07, 2008

Maybe things aren't as bad as you think

Rhubarb, we have it here at PQ Castle! Along with another, final case of Meyer lemons--final, that is, until I go down to cook at the farm in 2 weeks and score as many Meyers as I can pack out. Whatever ripe lemons are left after making the famous Meyer lemon pound cake and lavender-sugar lemonade are coming home with me. Well, I might leave a few (or 10) so that Lanette and I, aka Cookie Fairy, have something to work with when we return to cook for the new farmies on May Day. Lemon ricotta pancakes? Lemon thumbprint cookies? Spicy lemon lentils? Mmm, tasty. As I recall from my own first few farmie weeks, there's not a lot in the larder or in the fields at this time, so I'll have to be inventive with the carrots and beets. But I remain dedicated to the PQ Farm-Cooking Creed: No Bean Mush, No Undressed Salads, No Unpeeled Beets, and Yes, There Is (Always) Dessert.

But back to the rhubarb, another perk from the produce co., so silky and pretty and gorgeously pink. I am thinking, of course, of strawberry-rhubarb pie, the most perfect harbinger of spring I know. And perhaps some rhubarb compote, with a hint of rosewater or vanilla bean. And then a few jars of strawberry-rhubarb jam, since I gave all my farm jam away last year.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh please please please don't pack out the Meyer Lemons. The Farm food during late April is generally so dull and miserable without them. I plan on making the new Farmies Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake and Rosemary Meyer Lemonade and something yet to be determined using Meyer Lemon Curd! (BTW the Strawberry Shortcake Festival is not happening this year so I believe Guest Cooks will have access to strawberries as well as the usual citrus and rhubarb. Yahoo.) Jude, UCSC Farmie '05

Stephanie J. Rosenbaum said...

Oh, Jude, I was joking! Truly, there's no way I would (or could) take all the Meyer lemons from the DG trees. And anything with Meyer lemon curd sounds fantastic...

Unknown said...

I know PQ I was just giving you a hard time! On many visits to the Farm or Up Garden, I walk away with fruit juice dripping from my chin. Who can resist? The place is a miraculous wonder. - Jude