I don't know many farmers, so I especially enjoy these glimpses into the art of planting food that I love. Re potatoes: as the daughter of a Southern lady, I was raised on rice. But for some reason, during the last five years (I'm 75) I have come to absolutely love the potato. I can't wait to taste some of Pete's crop.
I’m very impressed with your potato knowledge, Maura. And with your fabulous writing, I’m so glad I bought two copies of your memoir before it sells out. I’m well into my copy already, and I’m looking forward to discussing it with my friend when she returns to her home in upstate New York this week from her trip to Ireland. 🇮🇪
My thing is to boil a variety of potatoes at night - purple, yellow and red - then put them in the refrigerator overnight to get cold. Then the next day I cut them up and fry them in a good olive oil, paprika, pepper and salt, along with onions and peppers from the farm. Serve up with eggs, over easy. Delicious! I will make it for lunch for you and Frank the next time I visit!
I grew up with gardens, and I know the deep joy of putting things into the earth that sprout, blossom and bloom. I'm always pleased to learn of schools that are teaching the students the joy of gardening. You must love Seamus Heaney's poem "Digging". I think it would sing to your heart in multiple ways.
I order from the Maine Potato Lady, too, and each time the heavy box shows up, I think, "What was I thinking?" There are 2 of us at home now, and I can only pass on so many spuds. But this year, a friend's husband will be the recipient of some of my extra potatoes, some of which are Magic Mollies, too.
I chock up my potato love to both sides of my ancestry...the Irish, which I think my Mom's maternal side may have come to America during that famine...and the German/Germanic side because I never met a German while I lived there who didn't think potatoes were food from the Gods. As I age, I add more ways and varieties to my repertoire, although I do miss having the lovely purple potatoes from the Skagit Flats to cook...wish I could buy them from Pete :)
I'm married to an Irish lass, so potatoes are a staple of our diet. This year, I made my grandmother's cheesy potatoes for Easter. I made an entire 5-pound bag. We had two dinner guests and sent them home with a serving. We served leftovers for dinner for four tonight and sent some home with them. I think we may have enough for Tuesday's dinner. Yeah, potatoes are big in this family. I'm THRILLED that you are growing potatoes.
I don't know many farmers, so I especially enjoy these glimpses into the art of planting food that I love. Re potatoes: as the daughter of a Southern lady, I was raised on rice. But for some reason, during the last five years (I'm 75) I have come to absolutely love the potato. I can't wait to taste some of Pete's crop.
We will put together a generous sample of the four varieties we planted! And all organic!
Yum!
I’m very impressed with your potato knowledge, Maura. And with your fabulous writing, I’m so glad I bought two copies of your memoir before it sells out. I’m well into my copy already, and I’m looking forward to discussing it with my friend when she returns to her home in upstate New York this week from her trip to Ireland. 🇮🇪
Katharine it was great to see you last week and I appreciate you buying two copies of my book! Let me know what you think when you are done!
Almost there, Maura. And absolutely fabulous so far.
Do you have a special, unusual potato recipe to share?
My thing is to boil a variety of potatoes at night - purple, yellow and red - then put them in the refrigerator overnight to get cold. Then the next day I cut them up and fry them in a good olive oil, paprika, pepper and salt, along with onions and peppers from the farm. Serve up with eggs, over easy. Delicious! I will make it for lunch for you and Frank the next time I visit!
Thanks!
Your house looks just like my late grandparents' farm house! Oh, memories. 😊
I think about this as I watch my granddaughters run over our meadows and fish in our pond!
I grew up with gardens, and I know the deep joy of putting things into the earth that sprout, blossom and bloom. I'm always pleased to learn of schools that are teaching the students the joy of gardening. You must love Seamus Heaney's poem "Digging". I think it would sing to your heart in multiple ways.
Here 'tis --
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47555/digging
I order from the Maine Potato Lady, too, and each time the heavy box shows up, I think, "What was I thinking?" There are 2 of us at home now, and I can only pass on so many spuds. But this year, a friend's husband will be the recipient of some of my extra potatoes, some of which are Magic Mollies, too.
Ah…..the sun, the dirt, the life, the love…..thanks for sharing.
I read to the very last letter. Which your writing always makes me do.
Such a pleasure.
I chock up my potato love to both sides of my ancestry...the Irish, which I think my Mom's maternal side may have come to America during that famine...and the German/Germanic side because I never met a German while I lived there who didn't think potatoes were food from the Gods. As I age, I add more ways and varieties to my repertoire, although I do miss having the lovely purple potatoes from the Skagit Flats to cook...wish I could buy them from Pete :)
French fried, mashed, baked, boiled - I'll take them any way I can get them.
I wish there weren’t so many miles in between us. I want to stop by for a delicious visit! My mouth is watering…
It all sounds like a little bit of heaven, Maura. Enjoy the journey to harvest time!
I'm married to an Irish lass, so potatoes are a staple of our diet. This year, I made my grandmother's cheesy potatoes for Easter. I made an entire 5-pound bag. We had two dinner guests and sent them home with a serving. We served leftovers for dinner for four tonight and sent some home with them. I think we may have enough for Tuesday's dinner. Yeah, potatoes are big in this family. I'm THRILLED that you are growing potatoes.