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Donate Tools to Support Gardening to Benefit Youth and Communities
Article by Lisa Wiese

Bring your gently used garden tools to the Northside Farmers Market during the month of June and help support community and youth garden programs in the Madison area! Community and youth gardens are growing at record numbers in the Madison area. Over the last year, Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. has supported the establishment of 14 new community gardens, many of which serve youth and low-income families. Whether the result of the burgeoning urban agriculture movement, the poor economy, or new trends in education, it is clear that gardening programs are becoming an important part of our community by helping to improve food security, build civic pride, and renew our relationship with the earth and the honorable tradition of growing our own food.

Shovels, hoes, pitchforks, hand trowels, children’s tools, wheelbarrows, and metal garden rakes are among the tools needed. All you have to do is bring your donation down to the Northside Farmers Market any Sunday in June, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and place it in the collection barrel at the Market Information Booth. The market is held at the Northside Town Center across from Warner Park. All donated tools will be available from Community Action Coalition starting in July. Community and youth garden programs in need of garden tools will simply need to contact Community Action Coalition at (608) 2464730 x208 to request the tools they need. Thanks for your support!

Jade Frittata
An Original Recipe by Angela Trentadue

Simply put, frittata is an egg pie, minus a crust. Super easy, super versatile and super nourishing. Fresh out of the pan, pair it with a simple green salad for an easy summer dinner. Enjoy a cold slice right out of the fridge between two pieces of lightly toasted bread and a slice of toato or cheese for a quick lunch. The “filling” ingredients here are things you’ll find at the market right now, but change them out as the season goes to whatever suits your fancy.

Ingredients

1 bunch of spinach, washed, destemmed and roughly chopped or torn
1 tbs olive oil
2 stalks green garlic, outer layer removed, sliced thin, white and light green parts only
2 spring green onions, sliced thin, white and green parts only
6 large eggs
1 tbs olive oil
pinch of nutmeg
salt and pepper

Directions
Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Add the green garlic and onions. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes to soften. Reduce heat if the garlic starts to brown. Add spinach and a pinch of salt, stirring to coat well and allow spinach
to wilt. Once cooked, remove filling from pan to a plate and allow to cool slightly.

Crack the eggs into a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, nutmeg, pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper. Beat lightly.

Directions (cont.)

Drain any liquid that may have collected with the spinach, then stir filling into the eggs.

Thoroughly preheat a 10-inch heavy or non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil. After a few seconds, pour in egg mixture. As the edges of the frittata sets, run a rubber spatula around the side of the pan to lift them away. Tilt the pan to let the uncooked egg flow underneath. Continue to cook until mostly set, then place a plate inverted over the pan. Holding the plate in place firmly, turn the pan over onto the plate. Add a bit more oil to the pan and slide the frittata back in. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through but still moist inside. Slide onto a plate and serve.

Angela, author of these recipes and an NFM supporter, would love feedback on her recipes – too weird, too hard, too simple, just right? Send us an email to: nfmvolunteer@charter.net

At the Market
Article and Photo by Chris Moore

If you haven’t planted your garden yet, time to get moving! Next week is your last chance to get Blue Moon Garden Plants. However, Troy Farms has tomatillo, heirloom tomatoes, salad tomatoes, and sweet pepper plants.

For produce Los Abuelos Family Farm will be bringing more red spinach, a few fresas (strawberries), and maybe some mustard greens. J&R Farms have hickory nuts and black walnuts and depending on their growth spurt, have some asparagus ready.

Capital City Cookies let me know that they are bringing more of their Blueberry Walnut breakfast bars – they sold out at the last market! Also, Polly from Polly Jane Jams and Preserves will be bringing more Blueberry and Blueberry Pomegranate and will be busy this week making Rhubarb Jams including her Spiced Rhubarb.

Just a heads-up, strawberry season is fast approaching – there will be a few at the next market. If you are desperate, come early, because they won’t last!