Quote of the Week

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
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Sweet Potato Greens

Fresh sweet potato greens

Until we got sweet potato greens in our farm basket last week, I had not even considered whether or not they were edible. My loss it turns out, because they are delicious! A quick google search turned up this great recipe which we followed fairly closely.

We didn't eat the stems this time, mostly because the process of making this moved along so quickly. Next time, we'll include them.

Sweet Potato Greens

from The Bitten Word

Ingredients:
1 large bunch sweet potato greens (about half a pound)
1/3 large white onion, diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 Tablespoons maple syrup

Directions:
Remove sweet potato leaves from stems and set aside. Remove smaller stems from the larger, tougher stems. Discard the larger stems and roughly chop the smaller stems.

Heat olive oil in medium-sized pan over medium high heat. Add onion and sauté until just softened, about 3-5 minutes.

Add stem pieces and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add leaves, salt and pepper to taste, and maple syrup. Sauté until leaves are wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Serve.

The finished product - yum!

Compared with other greens, sweet potato greens are closer in texture to spinach than they are to kale or chard. No need to strip the center veins to cook them longer. They really do wilt in just a few minutes. The difference between these greens and spinach is they are a lot sweeter. It just takes a little touch of maple syrup to accent that characteristic.

Quote of the Week

speaks for itself, right?

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Genealogy and DNA

Ancestry.com's new program combines three of my favorite things - science, genealogy and social - so you know I'd love it: AncestryDNA. Here's how it works:

AncestryDNA is a new DNA testing service that utilizes autosomal testing technology to revolutionize the way you discover your family history. This service combines advanced DNA science with the world’s largest online family history resource to provide your genetic ethnicity and help you find new family connections. It maps ethnicity going back multiple generations and provides insight into such possibilities as: what region of Europe are my ancestors from, or what percentage of East Asian descent am I? AncestryDNA can also help confirm relationships with unknown relatives. We provide genetic testing and DNA results but an Ancestry.com account is required in order for you to explore your possible DNA matches.

Your DNA may hold information to help make new discoveries about your family’s past, your cultural roots, as well as confirm information in your family tree. Using your DNA test in combination with Ancestry.com gives you hints that can guide your investigations and connect you with new relatives.  

Your DNA test results also provides information that’s more relevant and recent—targeting your family history a few hundred or even a thousand years ago, as compared to the Y-chromosome or Mitochondrial DNA tests, which have a 10,000 to 50,000 year time focus.

The whole process takes 8-10 weeks but here is the first step (after signing up):

The kit arrives.

Pieces parts.

Instructions for collecting saliva sample.

Instructions for mailing.

More instructions.

Mailing the sample.

Once complete, my DNA results will be attached to my family tree. Provided that lots of people sign up, we may find some new relatives and new clues about our ancestors. Exciting, right? 

This Week's Veggies and Fruit

In our bag this week from Orchard Pond Organics: (clockwise from top left) baby mustard greens, sweet potato greens, basil (with a bonus Gerbera daisy bloom!), baby arugula, okra and grapes. 

Our New Garage Doors

At long last, we have new doors on our garage!

the finished project!

 Project underway Friday - right side door down!

Goodbye old door!

New doors (and new openers) seen from inside the garage.

Next up: clean and organize the garage? Maybe...

Quote of the Week

Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands. - Linda Hogan (b. 1947), Native American writer
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