Persimmon Pulp

Now that the frost has sweetened the persimmons and seeds have been cut for winter forecasting, it is time to make pulp.

20131118-214256.jpg

Pulping is a problem. Wild persimmons are small and full of seeds. I have tried several methods none of which are satisfactory. The Juice Mate clogs, a colander smears the pulp around inside and not through the holes. I usually resort to using my hands. This is a messy proposition at best.

A neighbor reports using a food mill finding this a reasonably efficient way to extract pulp from the skin and seeds. I am going to try this method for the ones stored in the refrigerator. I would be willing to collect more and develop more recipes if the pulp was easier to obtain.

Persimmon and black walnut would be a great, timely pairing for fall foods at Five Feline Farm.

What methods do you use to extract persimmon pulp? Do you have a favorite persimmon recipe?

Please share in the comments section.

Making Herb Butter

Five Feline Farm produces not only vegetables and fruit but an array of herbs to complement any dish. Unfortunately, the growing season is coming to a close in Central Illinois, so it is time to pick some herbs to be held over for winter use.

Herbs can be dried and stored in glass jars or chopped and frozen in ice cube trays. Both of these methods provide a warmth of flavor to winter meals enhanced by knowing there are no fertilizers or pesticides. The down side to dried herbs is a bit of a change in the flavor. Fresh flavor is diminished and although superior to herbs bought in plastic shaker, it is still a dried herb.

Herbs frozen in ice cube trays offer an advantage of holding onto some of the fresh flavor, but the cubes tend to frost over and stick together in time. Plus the added bit of water can be undesirable.

Both of these methods have a place, but recently I started making herb butters to preserve and utilize fresh herbs. Wrapped in waxed paper and sealed in freezer bags these have kept for several weeks. Since butter freezes well, it seems that herb butters should also freeze well.

To start, wash and air dry the herbs. Select a handful of herbs to snip into tiny pieces. Judge both the size of the pieces and the amount of herb by what you would want to find in your finished dish.

20131021-065803.jpg

Mix the herb thoroughly in one stick of softened butter.

20131021-065956.jpg

Spread the butter into a rough log about 2 inches from the edge of the waxed paper.

20131021-070106.jpg

Fold the waxed paper over the log and lightly squeeze into a log.

20131021-070223.jpg

Roll up the log in the paper and twist the ends.

20131021-070341.jpg

Label and store in a freezer bag.

20131021-070444.jpg

To use, unwrap and slice off the amount desired.

The freezer now contains butters with chives, basil, oregano, thyme, curry and rosemary. The options for using these butters is only limited by the cook’s imagination. A slice of chive butter on a baked potato or a bit of basil butter melting over sautéed chicken breast will warm the winter months with a reminder of summer.

What would you put herb butter on? Drop us a comment with your ideas.

Natural Pest Control

On Five Feline Farm we strive to do things as naturally and organically as possible. To this end we use a natural pest control system across the Farm. This involves companion plantings, sprays that are made of natural sources and working with nature instead of against.

In the garden we had put up clanging pans to keep the birds from picking the newly planted seeds out of the garden. This was effective just after planting until the seedlings came up. At this point we noticed worms in the garden feasting on the plants. Removing the pie pans did the trick. Now the birds eat the worms and we have no need for a chemical spray.

Japanese beetles will destroy many plants and our first concern was grape vines. The traps for these pests seems to draw them instead of fight them, so we have concocted a spray that will address this. A solution of chopped onion, minced garlic, cayenne pepper and Dawn dish soap in water misted over the plants effectively repels these pests. The beetles drop off as soon as they are hit with this stinky spray.

In February, the fruit trees require a dormant spray as a pest repellant. Before the trees start to bud, this spray will prevent eggs from hatching that have been laid in the tree. This prevents disease and infestation. This spray is done early before the budding so that it does not interfere with pollination. The natural spray we use is Dawn dish soap, canola oil and water solution.

For weed control we have nearly discontinued the use of Roundup in favor of rock salt. A strong salt solution will kill weeds. In a brick sidewalk, just sweep the salt into the cracks allowing rain or ground moisture to saturate. For a spray, dissolve salt into warm water and spray as needed to kill weeds.

As a small test for the followers of Five Feline Farm: what is in the picture below and how can it be used to control pests? Post an answer on our Facebook page or below this post.

20130909-232258.jpg

Beneficial Weeds

20130813-071709.jpg

A new look at weeds
A weed is a weed is a weed. Except when it is a useful tool around the Farm. We look at weeds differently now that we are living in the country and striving to be more sustainable.

Weeds as food
Certain weeds with attractive flowers are visited by bees collecting nectar. They also collect the pollen. Some people will tell you the honey made from classic allergen weeds such as ragweed and goldenrod helps reduce allergy symptoms. We have sold some honey to individuals using it specifically for this purpose. (Disclaimer: we are not purporting that our honey is an allergy treatment.) There was a time that we would have tried to eradicate all ragweed and goldenrod, Queen Anne’s lace and others to allow for more purposeful plants. Now we encourage these to be part of the landscape.

The same is true for some of the invasive shrubs. We do work to keep these under control but the wild olive, wild cherry and false honeysuckle are also beneficial to the bees.

Plants as decoys
We have learned through experience and observation that Japanese beetles prefer some weeds, e.g. pigweed to the vegetable plants. We reduce the weed level in the garden but do not eliminate entirely. This balance helps both the garden and the gardener. Chemicals are not needed to control Japanese beetles when they have a weed to eat.