The Towson University Urban Farm Farmer's Market

Check out my recent post over at the T.U.U.F. blog regarding the first Towson University Urban Farm Farmer's Market.

Take care of yourself and each other...

Tasty Tuesday!

Tacos de Calabacitas (Zucchini tacos)

     I really do love the summer time. Besides the obvious outdoor adventures that come with the warmer weather, grilling out with friends, and longer days, you will also find a bounty of fruits and vegetables at your local farmer's markets and CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture). This past week I had the good fortune of chatting with individuals from Real Food Farm, an urban farm in Northeast Baltimore. The farm is only 2 years old but they have already greatly improved access to healthy food in the northern Baltimore area. The folks at Real Food Farm were very helpful and gave sage advice regarding the Towson University Urban Farm and what we can do to improve yields but still maintain our mission of sustainable agriculture.

     While talking with the members of Real Food Farm I decided to buy some fresh produce that unintentionally made it into the background of this week's Tasty Tuesday photos. So enjoy the pictures of beets, eggplant, and an unusual variety of cucumber called Striped Armenian. Between the vegetables coming out of my own garden, the Towson University Urban Farm, and the produce purchased from Real Food Farm, I'M RUNNING OUT OF COUNTER SPACE! But, what a wonderful problem to have.

     I have been so impressed with the abundance of summer squash right now that I began to search for recipes that could be used to get rid of my zucchini surplus in my fridge. I also acquired a massive amount of fresh corn during my trip to my home state 2 weeks ago and wanted to find a way to use that as well. So this week I give you Tacos de Calabacitas. I modified this recipe from the New York Times Temporary Vegetarian series.

• extra-virgin olive oil 
• minced onion (one medium sized onion will be fine)
• yellow summer squash (one medium sized one was enough for me)
• diced zucchini (I used two that were medium sized)
• corn kernels (I used fresh corn but frozen will do)
• 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
•  diced tomato or quartered cherry tomatoes (used fresh from my garden)
• oregano
• salt
• Monterey Jack cheese, grated
• tortillas (I used whole wheat but corn will work great too)

1.             In a pan over medium heat, heat the oil. When the oil is hot add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the diced yellow squash, zucchini, corn, and jalapeno. Saute until the zucchini is browned. Then, add the tomatoes, oregano, and salt to taste.
2.             Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium low, stir the mixture once in a while to prevent burning. Once liquid begins to form in the bottom of the pan, uncover, and add salt if needed. Remove from heat but keep warm.
3.         Warm tortillas (I just browned mine lightly in a skillet over high heat). Add the summer squash filling and sprinkle with cheese. You can leave out the cheese for a vegan dish.

Chop, Chop, Chop...

A little fresh corn

A fresh Brandywine tomato that someone gave me

Take care of yourself and each other...

Harvesting onions at the Towson University Urban Farm

"Car full of onions. Car full of onions. Car full of onions. Hey hey hey hey!"

You're supposed to sing the above lines like this:

Take care of yourself and each other...

Towson University Urban Farm

     Here is a blog post I recently wrote for the Towson University Urban Farm. Members of the farm and myself volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House last weekend. Give it a read and leave comments.

Ronald McDonald House Activity Hour 5/15/11

Activity Hour at the Ronald McDonald House of Baltimore

     This is a re-post from my other blog, The Towson University Urban Farm. Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house was a rewarding experience, as most volunteering opportunities usually are. I hope you like the post and I hope you feel inspired to help those who are experiencing trying times. I hope you also appreciate your good health (both physically and emotionally). Don't take it for granted. It could be here today and literally gone tomorrow. Lastly, I hope you use your time wisely. Is today the day you are going to write about in your memoir? Cliche, I know. But, think about it.

     The Towson University Urban Farm isn’t all about growing vegetables. One of our main purposes is community service and this last Friday we spent some time with the kids at the local Ronald McDonald house. The Ronald McDonald House Charity provides access to health care for children and their families. They also provide housing for families who are seeking medical care away from home. The charity largely operates on donations and from the hard work of volunteers.

     Every evening groups of volunteers cook meals for the families residing at the Ronald McDonald house and then afterward there is an activity hour. Members of the Towson University Urban Farm volunteered to orchestrate Friday’s activity hour and provide a few hours of fun activities. The main project of the night was painting flower pots and planting sunflowers for the children to keep or to give as gifts. We also made flowers using colorful sheets of paper and pipe cleaners as stems.

     The activities went over very well but it was also evident that the children and families currently staying at the Ronald McDonald house appreciated having someone to talk to. At times the best gift one can give is a listening ear. If you would like to learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charity or volunteer in your area please visit the Ronald McDonald House Charity Website.   

Towson University Urban Farm

    I'm pulling double blogging duty now! A few posts back I mentioned that I am a member of the urban farm/community garden at my University. The experience has been incredibly rewarding so far and has increased my agricultural knowledge.While my own seedlings continue to grow in the University greenhouse the seedlings for the Urban Farm are growing only a few feet away. Soon, my seedlings will go into the ground of my front yard (hopefully this weekend) and the community garden seedlings will live out the rest of their ephemeral lives soaking up water and sunshine on the campus farm.

     In an effort to promote the latest events taking place in the Towson University Urban Farm a blog was created during last year's growing season and I have just posted my first blog entry. Check it out here: Towson University Urban Farm. Read all about our new Rainwater Catchment System (pictured above) that was recently constructed by a crew of very enthusiastic urban farmers (including myself: pictured on the right). We at the Farm hope to continue our mission of growing healthy food for the community in a sustainable way.

Take care of yourself and each other!