So as we wind down the harvest season for 2009, my head is spinning with ideas for 2010.

Like this one:

Or, perhaps this one:

Essentially, we would like to take a vacation.  It has always been a dream of mine to provide service on whatever vacation I go to.  When we took Parker to Puerto Rico in 2005, I searched for a volunteer organization we could hook up with and help out.  Unfortunately I found nothing for where we stayed and instead we cleaned a beach for a few hours.  That was a small step, but a step nonetheless.

Now, with TWO small children to mold, it seems more important that I show them how to make the world-at-large a better place while having fun.  It seems only logical that when the cold Northeastern wind screams through the icy fields of upstate NY, and the sleep of winter rests on the seeds and dreams of spring, our attentions go to warmer climates.

Meet the potential vacations/projects of 2010:

#1: The Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute of St. Croix

This is a permaculture farm on over 100 acres of land in the US Virgin Islands, in St. Croix.  They raise rabbits, chickens and run programs on organic farming, primitive survival skills, yoga, holistic medicine and certificate courses in permaculture.

Their words:

VISFI promotes the development of agroecology: an innovative field of agriculture that enjoins productivity with resource conservation, using ecological and indiginous management models to create sustainable life systems. We believe local, organic agriculture and a practical educational experience are the first steps toward building vital communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment. These beliefs led to the establishment of our Four Pillars: Education, Sustainability, Community, and Environment. We use these focal points to guide decisions that will promote our farm’s vision.

Yeah, I know … sounds like NOTHING we would want to be a part of.

#2:  Proyecto Asis

Proyecto Asis is a wildlife refuge center and Spanish language school outside of Javillos, Costa Rica.

Their words:

Proyecto Asis is an organization dedicated to wildlife protection, environmental conservation, and fostering positive cultural exchanges through education and service.   It serves as an animal rescue center, Spanish school and volunteeer center.  Proyecto Asis’ Animal Rescue Center strives to give the animals the care and respect that they deserve while rehabilitating them.  It is also committed to providing quality Spanish classes, where the student is engaged and immersed in Spanish and Costa Rican culture.  Lastly, the volunteer center offers a variety of opportunities for the local communities and foreign participants to work together in order to increase environmental conservation awareness through communication and community service.

There are other opportunities on the table, but these are the strongest.  This decision is not an easy one. While working in a learning bed of permaculture, holistic healing and tropical farming would advance The Accidental Farm on so many levels, Proyecto Asis provides us with not only a wonderful opportunity to give service, but also immerses us in a foreign language culture AND gives Parker an hour of Spanish lessons each day.  (She happens to be studying Spanish in school.)

I dunno.  Your thoughts?

(Oh, and anyone interested in living for a few weeks in early 2010 in the cozy womb-like casa of The Accidental Farm and shepherding 30 chickens, 1 peacock, 2 dogs, 1 cat and several fish?)

So we have happened upon another discovery birthed from a complete accident.  Let me explain …

I had always been under the assumption that you harvested basil at the end of the gardening season, mostly in a panic, right as the first frost was banging on your front door.  At least, this is how my family always did it.  A few years ago I did just this and was sadly disappointed as my giant basil leaves produced some of the most bitter pesto I had ever eaten.  Not to waste a thing, I ate every last bitter bite … for the next 4 months.

Then, finally, this year I caught onto the fact that perhaps I didn’t have to wait until the last basil pickin’ minute and just make pesto here and again.  So I did.  But not enough.

Now, with predicted temperatures in the 30’s this weekend, my Basil Panic Alarm started to ring and we harvested a few bunches tonight.  Picking through we again realized that we were faced with massive plants filled with bitter leaves.  All of those beautifully fragrant flowers that the honeybees so love?  The signpost to astringent tasting basil.  But wait!  I have an idea …

This year we have eaten more swiss chard than our children have liked.  If you were to eat The Chard straight from the garden, the bitterness might make your eyes cross.  But blanch it, saute it with some garlic, olive oil, and sea salt and it will make your eyes roll to the back of your head … a much more culinary agreeable experience.  So what if we blanch the bitter basil?

BINGO!  An entire crop saved!  Here’s how:

Dip the leaves into boiling water … 30 seconds tops

Plunge into an ice bath

Whip about in the salad spinner to remove the excess water

Throw into the food processor with olive oil, garlic, pinch of sea salt, REALLY good pecorino cheese (grated) and toasted pine nuts.

Then, just sit and wait for your eyes to roll back to the front of your head.

Tags: basil, bitter, cooking, frost, Gardening, Italian, pesto, recipe, saved crop, swiss chard