Feature Farmer — Littlest Acre Organics is bringing us mixed lettuce greens this week from their small farm, growing real food on the Peninsula since 2011. Littlest Acre Organics is a family farm growing 40+ crops on 2 acres. We specialize in high-quality soil-grown produce and pasture-raised non-GMO eggs. Our popular 24 week CSA features the best of our fields.
The Ultimate Mushroom Salad with Lemon Maple Vinaigrette — this earthy salad with it’s subtly sweet dressing is another ultimate spring dinner salad, also perfect for a forest picnic! Whether the mushrooms are complimented by Northstar Organics or Littlest Acre’s mixed greens, it’s packed full of nutrients and a great way to fill up after a hike or an afternoon working in the garden. Click on photo to do directly to the Virtual Caterer’s full recipe.
You might also add your cabbage flowers to this mix for a dash of colour and extra nutrient punch.
Mushroom and Bok Choy Stir Fry — this healthy inspired stirfry mixes mushrooms, Bok Choy, garlic, ginger and a savory sauce into just the right combination and without all the extra ingredients one might find in the local buffet. Click the photo for Yummy Flavor Recipe’s full recipe.
For those eating gluten free, did you know there are gluten free soy sauces on most grocery store shelves these days? If avoiding corn, skipping the cornstarch will mean a thinner sauce or substitute corn start with arrow root starch.
Cilantro Cucumber Salad — this tangy, refreshing salad is quick and easy, ready in 10 minutes or less. You’ll want more. Northstar Organics chives would be a lovely garnish for Northstar Organics cucumbers and cilantro in this crunchy salad.
Click on the photo to go directly to Bite on the Side’s full recipe.
What to do with cabbage flowers?
Curious about what Ai might say, here’s the result of a quick search:
Cabbage flowers, like those of other brassicas, are edible and can be used similarly to broccoli florets. They can be added to salads, stir-fries, soups, or eaten raw. They often have a slightly sweet flavor, similar to broccoli.
- Raw: Add them to salads for a slightly sweet and crunchy texture.
- Stir-fry: Toss them with other vegetables and your favorite stir-fry sauce.
- Sauté: Sauté them in butter or olive oil with garlic and spices for a quick side dish.
- Soup: Add them to soups for a unique flavor and texture.
- Steamed: Steam them with other vegetables for a light and healthy side dish.
- 4. Enjoy!
Cabbage flowers can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your meals.
Check out this brassica flower video: Can you eat the flowers?
What’s in the bags this week?
Standard ($30.00): BC small nugget potatoes, org. broccoli, org. banana, Nothstar Organics *short cucumber, South Island Farm HUB BC Cremini mushrooms, Littlest Acre lettuce mix
Standard Plus ($40.00): BC small nugget potatoes, org. bunched carrots, pineapple, Northstar Organics *short cucumber, org. broccoli, org. banana, South Island Farm HUB BC org. Cremini mushrooms, Littlest Acre lettuce mix
Sustainable ($40.00): org. Jewel/Garnet yams, Northstar Organics *lettuce mix, *short cucumber, *Bok Choy and *cilantro, org. yellow onions, org. bananas, South Island Farm HUB Cremini mushrooms
Cultural ($30.00): BC small nugget potatoes, org. bananas, Northstar *short cucumber, *Bok Choy and *cilantro, BC org. Cremini mushrooms
Staples ($30.00): BC small nugget potatoes, org bunched carrots, org. mango, Northstar Organics *short cucumber, and *spinach
Fruit ($25.00): BC org. apples, pineapple, org. mango, org. Medjool dates, org. banana
BC – Only ($30.00): BC small Nugget potatoes, Northstar organics *short cucumber, *red kale, *chives & *lettuce mix
*local, BC, organic
***Note: Some items may change due to circumstances out of our control but the value of the box will always remain the same.
Wet Weather Reminder — Bring your cloth bags or totes! Don’t forget to bring along your reusable grocery bags or totes to avoid the soggy demise of our paper bags if you’ll be hitting the elements on the way home. Even just getting to the car during this soggy season could be lethal for your produce — we want it to make it all the way home — not playing a game of 10 pin on the sidewalk!
Apple Cabbage Slaw with Radish (Easy Dressing Recipe)
It’s got crunch, tang and the taste of spring. It’s pairs perfectly with a BBQ or pork chops. Use it as left overs in a fish or chicken taco for lunch the next day! Click on the photo for a link to the full recipe by Blackberry Babe.
It’s a great way to use up extra radishes that end up rolling around in the bottom drawer of the fridge. Cutting the radishes and apples into thin matchstick pieces will help the flavours to blend together.
Chickpea Feta Cucumber Salad – will this Mediterranean – style dish become a staple in your house? It’s a quick and easy side or a full meal for either lunch or dinner. Heck, I might eat this for breakfast!
Want to save money on this already budget friendly meal? Prepare you chickpeas yourself. If you’ve got an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker it’s easy peasy. Enjoy Clean Eating shows you how here.
Power House Quinoa Salad -vegan and gluten free
This recipe is quick to assemble and just as easy and delicious to swap ingredients. Spinach is season currently and can easily be swapped with arugula or other greens; while apples can be substituted with blueberries or even peaches; nuts subbed with sunflower or pumpkin seeds. It’s a delicious way to add extra protein to your meal plan. Click on the photo to go directly to One Lovely Life’s full recipe.
Foraging
Dandelion Iced Tea
Saving money in the kitchen…
There are multiple ways to use expiring foods, even if you’re not keen on eating them — natural cleaners, composting in your garden or fertilizer, using them to create air fresheners, fruit fly traps, fabric dyes, feeding animals, bug repellants, face masks and more. Click on the photo to go directly to “Homestead How To” for more details.
Get Growing….
The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our annual all-organic May plant sale! Sat, May 10, 10-2 pm
The next meadow work party in the Fernwood NRG Community Garden is Thursday May 22nd, 10-12pm, weeding and building a path. Come join us.
VOLUNTEER CALL-OUT 
Get Growing is back on Thursday, May 22nd & we need help with distributing free garden materials and seedlings to our neighbours! 
Snacks, drinks, tunes & first dibs of free plants will be available in appreciation of your help.
The volunteer shifts are as follows, but we would love to have you whenever you can make it!
Shift 1: 12-3pm Setup & Plant distribution
• Setting up tables, tents, separating & labelling plants in their trays.
• Distributing plants to members of the public
• Registering members of the public when they arrive using their phone or a paper form
Shift 2: 1:30-4:30pm Plant distribution & Tear down
• Distributing plants to members of the public
• Registering members of the public when they arrive using their phone or a paper form
• Tear down
Want to help out? Get in touch with jesse@fernwoodnrg.ca, or comment below & we will reach out 
#getgrowing #freeplants #accessibility #gardening
1. Basil & Oregano
2. Sage & Lavender 3. Chives & Parsley 4. Thyme & Rosemary
5. Mint & Lemon Balm
6. Dill & CilantroConnecting in Community
Thursday, May 8th
6:00–8:30 PM
Fernwood Community Centre
This week’s feature: Karuara, People of the River.
Free entry + free popcorn — come for the film, stay for the vibes!
Plus: Special guest speakers & a chance to connect, reflect, and share ideas.
Meet A Stranger
Saturday, May 17 at 2:15 pm
At the Fairfield Gonzales Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Road.
Finding commonality through connection, one conversation at a time.
Upon arrival, please write your name on a piece of paper provided and drop it in a jar. Pairings will be done right after a short introduction from the facilitators, and you will then have one hour to get to know each other and view life from someone else’s perspective.
Thank you for your collaboration in keeping this a scent-free event.
Come with an open mind and an open heart — Meet in the Arbutus Room at the Fairfield Gonzales Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC V8S 5J1 on Saturday, May 17 at 2:15 pm. Click on the graphic to learn more.
V
Vic West Fest is a vibrant, family-oriented festival celebrating the diverse culture, creativity, and community spirit of Victoria West.
The festival features a dynamic range of artistic programming to engage and inspire attendees of all ages. Live music performances showcase diverse genres and highlight the creative talents of local artists. An artisan market provides a platform for local creators to share handcrafted goods, reflecting the neighborhood’s entrepreneurial spirit. Interactive exhibits and activities invite participation and celebrate the creativity and inclusivity of the community. Click on the graphic for a link to more information.