A journal of modern day pioneers forging a new frontier in the city through intensive agriculture and extreme sustainability in urban homesteading.

Reviving the old-fashioned "can-do" spirit of self-reliance and resourcefulness, they have faced many challenges. With faith and determination, these once-ordinary city dwellers are boldly reclaiming their lives and land. continue

July 27, 2008

WEEKLY MEAL WRAP UP

8
Posted by Anais

What’s New On the Plate

This week – figs!   Figs are one of those versatile fruit that can go both ways.  Used in both sweet and savory dishes.  Not only do figs make outstanding desserts they also are dynamite in quesadilla and pizza.

Growing up I was never really a fig lover (though did enjoy fig newtons as a kid – thanks to a hippie parent I suppose).  But after years of growing what we eat and eating what we grow, I’ve learned to appreciate and really enjoy figs.   Every year we look forward to these easy, no hassle, versatile fruits.

HG = Homegrown

SATURDAY

Breakfast – homemade, HG blueberry pancakes (made with HG eggs) and homemade, HG strawberry sauce
Dinner – potluck, contributed summer salad (HG tomatoes, cucumbers, basil) and fruit salad (HG strawberries, peaches, apples)

SUNDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and HG fruit
Lunch -  HG tomato, basil sandwich with HG green beans
Dinner – summer medley mac & cheese (HG peppers, tomatoes, green onions, zucchini)

MONDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and HG fruit
Lunch – HG fig quesadilla (homemade flour tortillas) with HG tomatoes, peppers, green onions with HG green bean salad
Dinner – HG fig quesadilla (homemade flour tortillas) with HG tomatoes, peppers, green onions with HG summer salad (HG tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers) and organic feta cheese

TUESDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and HG fruit
Lunch – HG green beans, lima beans with organic CA rice and pecans
Dinner – HG tomato sandwich

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and homegrown fruit
Lunch – HG zucchini and eggplant patties with HG beans
Dinner – HG zucchini and eggplant patties with summer salad (HG tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers)

THURSDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and HG fruit
Lunch – HG green beans and organic CA rice
Dinner – homemade HG herb pizza crust topped with organic cheese, HG figs, eggplant, peppers, basil and tomatoes

FRIDAY

Breakfast – homemade granola and HG fruit
Lunch – HG green bean with homemade CA organic rice pilaf
Dinner - organic whole wheat pasta with homemade tomato sauce with HG tomatoes, peppers & herbs with HG beans, homemade no knead bread and HG/homemade wine



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8 Comments: “WEEKLY MEAL WRAP UP”

1

Your weekly meals really inspire me to be more creative with what is local and in season. What is in your homemade granola?

Thanks for your wonderful website.

Kim

[Reply]

2

It all sounds and looks yummy! Especially the figs! I love figs but for years I forgot about that yummy treat from my childhood. We use to have a fig tree in our yard and my granny would make the best fig preserves. When I was pregnant with my last child; he is almost three; I developed a craving for some of my granny’s fig preserves. I found some locally, and have been buying preserves from the farmers market ever since. My mom is coming for a visit next week and bringing me 5 gallons of figs, so I will be trying my hand at preserving my own. I just wish I had my granny’s recipe, but she passed away three years ago at the age of 98.

[Reply]

3

Wow I never knew figs can be used for savory dishes! Cool! btw, how do you keep the June Beetles from attacking your figs? My Mom is constantly battling them.

[Reply]


07/28/2008



4

Wow fig yum! How many fig trees do you have? I have 3 small ones and only 1 is producing. It only has 8 figs but they are huge. I put rabbit dropings on the one as an experiment. I guess it worked. I can not wait till next year when I hope they will all produce figs. And be bigger trees.

[Reply]

5

Yum, yum, yum! Delicious!

[Reply]


07/28/2008



6

We have a fig tree and I love them!! I stand and pick and eat. Don’t eat much jam, so not sure what to do with excess.

Have never tried them in savory dishes. May have to try that. Have you ever tried to freeze them?? I need to do some research on preserving extra figs.

[Reply]


07/28/2008



7

I have frozen a few pounds of figs (last year) but I haven’t used them yet. I’m planning to make a mead with figs, and hope to do it in September. I got the figs from a volunteer tree next to the sidewalk that I discovered when out walking. I’ve heard volunteer fruit trees usually don’t produce good fruit, but this one is great.

[Reply]

8

I would like to have your homemade granola recipe as well as your ‘no knead’ bread. I currently grind my own wheat and make bread and would like to try my hand at no knead.

thanks so much! Love the website.

[Reply]






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COMPLETE URBAN HOMESTEAD ARCHIVES:



LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena 100 yards from 11 lane freeway)

PROPERTY SIZE
1/5 acre (66' x 132' / 8,712 sq.ft.)

GARDEN SIZE
~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')

GARDEN DIVERSITY
~ 400 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries

FOOD PRODUCTION
~ 6,000 lbs annually / 99% of our produce $75,000 savings

URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time resident adults, a menagerie of animals, volunteers, and many clients

ENERGY USAGE
$12 a month / 6.0 kwh day

WATER USAGE
$600 / 175,000 gallons a year

SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
12,410 kwh as of 5/12/10

GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE
2,500 gallons as of 5/12/08

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