GET YER GREENS
Hello Chimacum Corner Community!
Here we are at the Ides of March. It always seems to be a bit stormy and volatile in the Salish Sea at this time, befitting of the date’s historical significance. It is also the true beginning of the local farming season. So begins the seven month sprint to October! Local heroes are already emerging with fresh wares, and still putting out beautiful storage crops. After a long winter, green is top of mind though. We count ourselves lucky to have a bowl of cooked local collards or spinach this time of year. We also have a horde of little green babies in the Nursery now, to greet you with glee! Contrary to Kermit the Frog, we do think green things are “flashy sparkles in the water” and “stars in the sky”! Read on for all things local and green!
Local Greens Aplenty
We feel fortunate to be coming out of winter with some local greens still in tow. This represents careful planning and execution on the part of our local farmers. First off we have “The Dude”’s favorite kale, the frilly White Russian, from the Midori Farm crew. Chimalow Produce’s Collard Green bunches make for perfect collard wraps after a quick blanche. For an epic saute, the Stir Fry mixes coming from the fields of Chimalow and Red Dog are fresh and gleaming with multi-colored brassicas and chard. And last but definitely not least, bagged local Spinach is coming in washed and spun from Midori Farm and Spring Rain Farm. Perfect for salads, quiches, and more. These greens are all packed with nutrients from expertly tended soils. Power up with local greenery!
SNAG A SAMPLE!
We still have some great samples of late season citrus, like easy-peel satsuma mandarins. Shout-out to those who got to sample the Family Tree blueberries and the Braga assorted nuts as well! Fairly soon the variety of citrus will dwindle back to Navels and Valencias, so take advantage of the supply while there’s still time.
Farmer’s Plant-Daughters
It is that much anticipated week at Chimacum Corner Nursery when the neat, orderly rows of vegetable and flower transplants arrived from Midori and Red Dog Farms! The main body of plugs is peas at the moment, with sweet peas from Red Dog and multiple edible varietals of pea from Midori, including the “Peayoncé” of peas, the Sugar Snap. Take home a perennial combo of Red Dog Strawberries and Midori Rhubarb, and don’t forget to pepper in some Bachelor’s Buttons and Calendula! Remember this is just the earliest of the early transplants, expect spring greens like spinach, mustard greens, and kales to land soon!
Three Cheers for Beer
With the imminent arrival of St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to stock the fridge with a few celebratory ales. While we don’t carry Guinness, we do have an excellent collection of stouts for encouraging merriment. Snag a tall can of Irish Death from Iron Horse Brewing in Ellensburg, or a Winter Storm Oatmeal Stout from Chimacum Valley Grainery! We also have six packs of Reuben’s Robust Porter if you are buying for a crowd. Or, if you are thinking green, a can of Reuben’s Crikey IPA or a Wet Coast Moving Day IPA would look great on any festive table. Thank you for supporting our small but mighty Beer Department!
Citrus Slaw Booya
The Corner Kitchen has a new slaw that is the perfect confluence of good greens and late season citrus. Say hello to the Kale & Citrus Slaw! The base is green cabbage, lacinato kale, and cara cara orange chunks. These wholesome ingredients are tossed in a Citrus-Tahini Vinaigrette, and sprinkled with sunflower and white sesame seeds, and a dash of green onion for kick. This is a delicious and filling side for a nice square lunch!
If you give a mouse a bowl full of local greens, you’re going to have to give them a tasty dressing to go with it! Right now there are some serious savings on the Primal Kitchen and Breanna’s brands of salad dressings. 2-dollars-plus off all bottles! The Green Goddess from Primal Kitchen would be a pertinent selection, we think. An all-time staff pick that can double as a sauce for pretty much anything is the Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing from Brianna’s. Dress it up and save!
Friends of the Trees Plant Sale!
We’d like to give a hearty shout-out to the upcoming Friends of the Trees Botanicals annual Spring Plant Sale! It is being held on Saturday, March 21st at Finnriver Cidery, home to one of the many garden spaces of Friends of the Trees. Celebrate the Spring Equinox by perusing their extensive collection of edible, native, and medicinal plant stock. You can pre-order your desired plants on their website for ease of service and to ensure you get what you are really after. We are incredibly lucky to have access to this abundant catalogue of this high quality local producer with deep roots in the community. Show them some love! We have their seeds available in the nursery as well, swing by and visit us as well.
