Have you seen it yet?–the rare red-headed white-wing dove of the desert? “Red-headed Ok’ko-koi” is only around for a short while during the bahidaj. He is the herald of saguaro fruit harvesting season. These longest days of the year (and the hottest!!) are the Sonoran Desert New Year of the Tohono O’odham, the Desert People. It is … Continue reading Summer Solstice Celebrated with Saguaros
Savor Sister Jacqueline Soule posting today. Chinchweed or limoncillo is known to scientists as Pectis papposa, a member of the Compositae family, now called the Asteraceae, and arguably the largest plant family out there. If you aren’t “into” the Compositae, it is generally considered just another one of those DYC’s (Dratted Yellow Compositae). (Well, we … Continue reading Limoncillo
With the heat and winds of these few days before the Solstice in Tucson, native and introduced mesquite pods are ripening fast and blowing off the trees. NOW is the time for the first mesquite harvest! Tia Marta here, encouraging all loca-vores and wild-harvesters to head out in the “coolth” of early morning to collect … Continue reading Mesquite Milling Mania–at Mission Garden
It has been a scorching few days since San Juan’s Day in the Sonoran Desert. But even in the heat and blistering sun there is such productivity, such life in hopes of rain. Tia Marta here relishing our beautiful Bahidaj-time–saguaro harvest time–with coyotes, white-wing doves, ant people and a zillion other desert creatures! So many … Continue reading Sonoran Desert New Year Greetings!
Happy Solstice! Midsummer Greetings! By the time you read this, I’ll be in the mountains of New Mexico. Driving thought farming towns, hoping to see roadside stands with fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, stone fruit, who knows?!?! Before I left home, I had an idea to test. (Thank you for the inspiration, Mom!) I wanted a … Continue reading Mole buttered Corn on the Cob
June in Baja Arizona should officially be Solar Cookery Month– time to not add any more heat in the house. Thanks to some fabulous Baja Arizona “solarizers,” namely Technicians for Sustainability (www.TFSsolar.com), our house is now blessed with a PV array–yet despite this “free” electricity we still don’t want any extra BTUs loose in the kitchen. Tia … Continue reading Cooking with the SUN!
Noted Southwest writer Dr. Jacqueline Soule offers ideas for using the bounty of the seasons for gift giving.
Linda here this first, and very hot, Friday in June. June brings us all sorts of gifts. The sun is nearing it’s solstice this month (around June 20th), and the heat is intensifying. It is this very heat helps bring the summer rains here in the Southwest. The moon is a New Moon tomorrow – … Continue reading It is nearly National Pollinator Week!
What makes Tucson an International City of Gastronomy? It is not only that we are blessed with amazingly creative chefs–like the ones showcased at the Mission Garden Picnic feast. It’s also the availability of rare and wonderful heirloom foods that are adapted to our particular Baja Arizona climate, soil, and cultures! Few other places have … Continue reading Farmers’ Market Sources for Warming Body and Soul, Baking and Gifting
It is early winter, and as the days become shorter, things slow down in the natural world. Egg laying is noticeably slower. Honeybee brood cycles are are scaled way back; the drones having been cast out (weeks ago) to preserve the resources of the hive. Our cattle are moved to winter pasture; and while we could keep a … Continue reading Slowing it down: Super-Slow-Rosemary-Crusted-Steak
Savor the Southwest: 