NEWSLETTER FOR W/C 27/08/2007

It’s been a welcome change to get some dry weather over the last week, so we’ve managed to get some potatoes lifted, not with-out the odd mishap, it has to be said. After three dry days last week, we were pretty desperate for tatties so I linked up the lifting machine to the back of the tractor and set off down the row. I only got about ten metres down when I sank up to the axles and couldn’t move. My neighbour Matthew came to my rescue. He’s got a big 4-wheel drive tractor, which he linked to mine then pulled us out of the muck. Instead of stopping though, he pulled me all the way down the row and up the next one, lifting potatoes all the way. The kids thought it was really funny.
We should have broccoli in the bags soon as it’s starting to form heads now, but most of the veg has been really slow this year. Things like swedes, celeriac, celery, pumpkins and even carrots are no where near the size they should be and red cabbage and brussels sprouts have a lot of growing to do before the winter. We could do with some sustained warmer weather.
We had quite a quiet market at Linlithgow on Saturday. There were a lot of people there, however, there was quite a bit of competition too. We’ll be at Queens Park this Saturday from 10am, so come along if you get the chance.
If you’re interested in staying in West Lothian for a holiday or work or if any of your friends want to come and stay and catch a bit of the festival, we have a holiday house to let in Kirknewton. We also have the original cottage at the farm here at Cobbinshaw. Details of costs are on www.cobbinshawloch.co.uk.

Here’s what should be in your standard bag this week. Substitutions may occur depending on availability.
Potatoes Solanum tuberosum (approx 2.0Kg) The potatoes from our own seed and will be a bit of a mixture. The white potatoes will be Sante or Orla Red skinned tatties will be Robinta.Most of you this week, will get Ambo, a white potato with a hint of pink. For all of them there is no need to peel, just give them a quick scrub and boil for 20 minutes or so and serve with butter melting over the top. Potatoes are the only commonly available source of B3 and Iodine. They are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium and fibre.
Onion Allium cepa ( approx 450g).. Used in stews, pasta dishes, soups – in almost any type of cooking. Source of Vitamins A and C as well as Iron, Calcium and Potassium.
Carrot Daucus carota (approx 450g). Carrots are eaten fresh in salads or cooked in just about any way you like. They are an excellent source of Vitamin A and also contain significant amounts of Vitamins B, C, D, E and K. and Potassium..
Broad Beans Vicia faba (400g) As well as be3ing an excellent source of phytochemicals, beans are also a good source of Vitamins A, B1, B8 and C. They are also good for phosphorus and iron. Basically, all you need to do with them is shell the pods and mix the beans into salads or cook them into any sauces or soups.
Mixed Salad various.( approx 120g) Our mixed salad bags have been really popular this year. Wer’ve managed to improve them by incorporating a larger variety of herbs to augment the salad leaves we had last year. The mixture now contains 2- 3 varieties of lettuce, swiss chard, Ruby chard, coirn salad, parsley, dill, coriander, rocket and lovage. When you receive your bag, rinse the salad leaves thoroughly to remove any races of soil that may have attached themselves, then drain in a salad spinner or colandar. Pop back into a sealed bag or box and store in the fridge auntil ready for use. Will keep for over a week easily.
Leek Allium porrum (1 head) Good source of vitamin C. Adds subtle flavour and creamy texture to soups. You could also boil them for 15 minutes then cook them under the grill in a bechamel or cheese sauce with breadcrumbs over the top.
Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum. (approx 200g) Can be eaten fresh in salads or cooked into sauces, the famous soup, or for the unhealthy option fried for breakfast.