The calendar says Autumn 2013 is officially here and the chill in the air (along with the frost the last few mornings) means we can't deny it.
Thanks to all of you who stopped by Dorisdale Farm for corn this corn season and to those who stopped by virtually too! Before long we'll be pulling out the seed catalogues and deciding what bounty the next growing season will bring.
We must say that one of our favourite things about corn season is visiting and catching up with neighbours (new and old!) who we don't see often enough. The Doris kids also love hearing stories about Grandma and Poppa Doris - Ella was tickled to hear this summer that she looks just like Grandma Bernadette did as a girl!
We look forward to seeing you all in 2014!
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Saturday, 31 August 2013
There Can Never Be Too Much Corn!
We have corn lovers in our house.
I think it might be a combined case of genetics and environment. The Doris Family has eaten A LOT of sweet corn over the years here at Dorisdale. Now, I must make a confession. According to Peter I didn't know what good corn was pre-Doris. For me, the riper and starchier the better...and I even remember a few times snacking on cow corn because we just couldn't wait any longer for our first feed!
Our kids are definitely following in the family tradition - they can't get enough! They're happy to eat a few cobs of corn twice a day...and have even been caught sampling a cob or 2 at breakfast with Peter. They're following Grandma Bernadette's saying, "You can't sell something you haven't eaten!".
The kids have been doing sales today. That has left me (with assorted help between customers) for other corn projects. We have jars of Corn Zucchini Relish cooling, bags of Aunt Sara's Freezer Corn freezing for a winter treat (see below), Corn Bread ready to eat (baked by Maggie) and even a big pot of Mexican Rice with Corn (and some extra zucchini) simmering for dinner. And Liam is snacking on crackers with Corn Relish as I type! Claire googled a Corn and Feta Salad she wants to make tomorrow.
I still have a few dozen corn on the kitchen counter waiting to be made into something else. Maybe some plain blanched corn for black bean salad?
If you have a favourite recipe, send it our way! Post it here or on our Facebook page - search Dorisdale Farm or click on https://www.facebook.com/DorisdaleFarm.
And don't forget to drop by for corn...time is running out!
Aunt Sara's Freezer Corn (thinking of her today!)
10 cups corn (raw, cut off cob)
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
6 tsp sugar
Bring to boil in pot and let simmer for 2 minutes. Cool and bag into preferred servings sizes to enjoy!
I think it might be a combined case of genetics and environment. The Doris Family has eaten A LOT of sweet corn over the years here at Dorisdale. Now, I must make a confession. According to Peter I didn't know what good corn was pre-Doris. For me, the riper and starchier the better...and I even remember a few times snacking on cow corn because we just couldn't wait any longer for our first feed!
Our kids are definitely following in the family tradition - they can't get enough! They're happy to eat a few cobs of corn twice a day...and have even been caught sampling a cob or 2 at breakfast with Peter. They're following Grandma Bernadette's saying, "You can't sell something you haven't eaten!".
The kids have been doing sales today. That has left me (with assorted help between customers) for other corn projects. We have jars of Corn Zucchini Relish cooling, bags of Aunt Sara's Freezer Corn freezing for a winter treat (see below), Corn Bread ready to eat (baked by Maggie) and even a big pot of Mexican Rice with Corn (and some extra zucchini) simmering for dinner. And Liam is snacking on crackers with Corn Relish as I type! Claire googled a Corn and Feta Salad she wants to make tomorrow.
I still have a few dozen corn on the kitchen counter waiting to be made into something else. Maybe some plain blanched corn for black bean salad?
If you have a favourite recipe, send it our way! Post it here or on our Facebook page - search Dorisdale Farm or click on https://www.facebook.com/DorisdaleFarm.
And don't forget to drop by for corn...time is running out!
Aunt Sara's Freezer Corn (thinking of her today!)
10 cups corn (raw, cut off cob)
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
6 tsp sugar
Bring to boil in pot and let simmer for 2 minutes. Cool and bag into preferred servings sizes to enjoy!
Friday, 30 August 2013
Labour Day Corn Memories
We are coming into another Labour Day weekend. By my count, this will be 41 or 42 years for the Doris family of selling corn and Labour Day is one of the busiest corn weekends of the year.
One of the memorable Labour Day Weekends for me was was 1991...it was my first summer in the "real world" (a.k.a after university) and I had started to work for the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. I spent the Friday leading up to Labour Day in and around Grey County and ended up at the home of Joan and James McKinlay (friends, Simmental breeders and Joan was working for OMAF at the time). After a great supper and visit, I left the McKinlays's home about 9:30 or 10 p.m which put me back in Peterborough around 1 a.m.
I can still remember my father calling me from the bottom of the stairs at 6 a.m. to pick corn because there were around 100 dozen pre-ordered plus what we needed for table sales! Wearily, I got up and picked with Mom and Dad and the orders were filled.
The worst thing about picking the corn is thinking about it in bed before you get up...once you're out in the field, it is all good! Peter
P.S. I mentioned Mom and Dad as a corn picking duo above; I note that Carolyn is now apprenticing as a full fledged corn picker - she has been out picking most days for the last two weeks. The training is arduous, the pay is not so good but the experience is priceless! I will let you know when she gets her ticket as a fully qualified person from the Amalgamated Union of Corn Workers, Cow Chasers, Fence Fixers and Stone Pickers!
One of the memorable Labour Day Weekends for me was was 1991...it was my first summer in the "real world" (a.k.a after university) and I had started to work for the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. I spent the Friday leading up to Labour Day in and around Grey County and ended up at the home of Joan and James McKinlay (friends, Simmental breeders and Joan was working for OMAF at the time). After a great supper and visit, I left the McKinlays's home about 9:30 or 10 p.m which put me back in Peterborough around 1 a.m.
I can still remember my father calling me from the bottom of the stairs at 6 a.m. to pick corn because there were around 100 dozen pre-ordered plus what we needed for table sales! Wearily, I got up and picked with Mom and Dad and the orders were filled.
The worst thing about picking the corn is thinking about it in bed before you get up...once you're out in the field, it is all good! Peter
P.S. I mentioned Mom and Dad as a corn picking duo above; I note that Carolyn is now apprenticing as a full fledged corn picker - she has been out picking most days for the last two weeks. The training is arduous, the pay is not so good but the experience is priceless! I will let you know when she gets her ticket as a fully qualified person from the Amalgamated Union of Corn Workers, Cow Chasers, Fence Fixers and Stone Pickers!
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Corn, Corn, Corn!
The corn table remains a bounty of corn this week! Like the past number of days, we continue to have 3 kinds of corn for your eating pleasure.
You may see during the week times at which the table is self-serve. Watch the table signage to know what varieties we have each day. Feel free to count out your Doris Dozen of 14 cobs yourself....and put your $$ in the container on the table.
For corn updates, check out our Facebook page and "LIKE" us at https://www.facebook.com/DorisdaleFarm. (or you can search Dorisdale Farm on Facebook...just note we're not "Doris Day"!!
Hope to see you at the table!
You may see during the week times at which the table is self-serve. Watch the table signage to know what varieties we have each day. Feel free to count out your Doris Dozen of 14 cobs yourself....and put your $$ in the container on the table.
For corn updates, check out our Facebook page and "LIKE" us at https://www.facebook.com/DorisdaleFarm. (or you can search Dorisdale Farm on Facebook...just note we're not "Doris Day"!!
Hope to see you at the table!
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Friday, 23 August 2013
Here's to Ears!
The weather forecast is predicting a great weekend of warm but not too hot temperatures. Looks like a perfect weekend to celebrate summer....before September arrives!
So, this weekend is definitely the perfect time to host a get-together with a few friends and have a corn roast. If corn roasts aren't your thing, then at least enjoy some amazing corn for supper (or breakfast like in our house....but that's another blog post!!). It won't be around for too much longer.
The corn picking is great right now! The heat over the past few days has certainly helped the corn mature and the cobs fill out nicely. A little rain, along with the heavy dew each morning (sorry to say, but autumn is on it's way) has also helped the patch along.
All weekend long we will have 3 great-tasting corn varieties on the table. Today we've picked a traditional bi-colour (that's like a peaches and cream), a bright yellow and a white that is "oh so sweet and tender".
Come and get it! Hope to see you at the corn table this weekend!
So, this weekend is definitely the perfect time to host a get-together with a few friends and have a corn roast. If corn roasts aren't your thing, then at least enjoy some amazing corn for supper (or breakfast like in our house....but that's another blog post!!). It won't be around for too much longer.
The corn picking is great right now! The heat over the past few days has certainly helped the corn mature and the cobs fill out nicely. A little rain, along with the heavy dew each morning (sorry to say, but autumn is on it's way) has also helped the patch along.
All weekend long we will have 3 great-tasting corn varieties on the table. Today we've picked a traditional bi-colour (that's like a peaches and cream), a bright yellow and a white that is "oh so sweet and tender".
Come and get it! Hope to see you at the corn table this weekend!
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
We've Moved the Picnic Table
After over 40 years selling corn on the west side of the lawn, we've made a couple of changes!
Corn visitors will remember seeing our new shed under construction last summer. The shed gave us the chance to build a little more permanent site with a little shade. In fact, 2 of our "staff", Liam and Ella are hard at work today!
So if you're driving by and see corn signs but can't quite see us on the lawn, drive on in. We are here!
Corn visitors will remember seeing our new shed under construction last summer. The shed gave us the chance to build a little more permanent site with a little shade. In fact, 2 of our "staff", Liam and Ella are hard at work today!
So if you're driving by and see corn signs but can't quite see us on the lawn, drive on in. We are here!
Friday, 16 August 2013
First Corn Famine, Now FEAST!
We're back and hope to be well stocked in corn for the next little while.
It's a golden day - the sun is shining brightly and on the table we have a yellow corn called "Golden Nugget". It's a favourite sweet tasting corn we've grown the last few years. It'salso a great variety to freeze with that lovely yellow colour to brighten your winter dinner plate.
Here's some ideas from Eat Right Ontario about corn! (Eat Right Ontario is a great resource - you can call 1-888-510-510-2 to talk to a Registered Dietitian or visit www.eatrightontario.ca to email your question or search up some answers about healthy eating)
It's a golden day - the sun is shining brightly and on the table we have a yellow corn called "Golden Nugget". It's a favourite sweet tasting corn we've grown the last few years. It'salso a great variety to freeze with that lovely yellow colour to brighten your winter dinner plate.
Here's some ideas from Eat Right Ontario about corn! (Eat Right Ontario is a great resource - you can call 1-888-510-510-2 to talk to a Registered Dietitian or visit www.eatrightontario.ca to email your question or search up some answers about healthy eating)
TIP of the MONTH : Enjoy Sweet Summer Corn
Nothing
says summer like fresh corn on the cob! Here are some tips to help you choose
and prepare corn. Local Ontario corn is usually available from July to
October.
Shopping
and Storing
Look for
corn that has bright green and moist husks. If you can, try to feel the
individual kernels through the husk – those are the best ones to choose. You
want to look for corn with plump kernels, not ones that are dry and
shriveled.
Cook your
corn as soon as you can after you bring it home – this is when it will be the
sweetest. Corn starts to lose its natural sugar soon after it has been
picked.
At home,
store the fresh corn in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It will keep for two
to three days.
Preparation
To
boil: Remove husk and silk. Boil 3-4 minutes for young corn and 5-7 minutes
for mature corn.
To
steam: Cook for 7-11 minutes depending on the size of the
cob.
To
microwave: Remove husk and silk. Place cob in a microwaveable
dish and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 minutes then let the
corn cool before unwrapping.
To
barbeque or roast in the oven: Leave husks on the
cob. To protect the corn from burning, wrap the husks in aluminum foil or soak
the husks in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking. Corn should take 15-20
minutes to cook.
Did you know? Some varieties of corn
are grown just for popcorn. These special kernels pop because they contain a
small amount of water in the centre. When the kernels get heated, the water
causes pressure to build up and the kernel explodes.
Try it! Instead of butter on
your popcorn, use hot sauce or chili powder. Or for a little sweetness, add
cinnamon.
(From August 2013 Consumer eNews from EatRight Ontario)
Friday, 9 August 2013
Pop, Pop, Popping!
Sadly the corn table has been empty for much of this past week...fingers
crossed though we'll be back in business on Saturday morning with the next
planting and varieties of corn just about ready to enjoy!
In anticipation of a busy corn table, I took holidays this week to
keep watch. Instead, the kids and I have managed a week of some odd jobs,
a little fun and pickles!
As I've blogged in past years, my FAVOURITE pickling recipe book
is by local Home Economist and cook book author, Jennifer Mackenzie. Every recipe we've tried over the past few years from The Complete Book of Pickling has been delicious and reminds me of the amazing smells in our farm kitchen
growing up.
So far, we've had the pop, pop, popping sound from jars of dill
relish, pickled dill chips and baby dills.....
..all because of Peter and his bouquet of
dill!
We've also tried a couple of new recipes this year. We have jars of Spicy Pickled
Green Beans cooling that I think will be delicious in Caesar's this winter. At Peter's request, we also have some Pickled Milkweed Pods (see picture below - on the left side)!
Must admit the kids and I are a little
skeptical about this one but since milkweed is in great supply around
Dorisdale Farm, we'll give it a try!
On the schedule for next week - corn relish, salsa and tomato sauce...if the garden agrees! So much for a Registered Dietitian recommending a lower sodium diet :)
Hope to see you at the corn table this weekend!
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Bring on the Heat...PLEASE
Corn likes heat. You may have noticed in early July the corn stalks in farmers' fields seemed to grow right in front of your eyes. That's because it was doing just that.
The weather lately has been great - not too warm, nice sunny days but those cool nights, while great for sleeping, are doing NOTHING for our corn table.
According to Peter our "resident corn expert", the planting of corn that should be on your table right now is just not ripening in the field. Warm temperatures during the day and night are both critical for growing corn. Farmers refer to this as heat units and they differ in regions across Ontario.
Warm temperatures help corn to mature. With sweet corn, maturity means the cobs are filled and perfect for eating. The cooler weather we've been having has been slowing that maturity. I guess you can think of it as the same as putting vegetables or fruit in the fridge to slow down ripening.
So, our corn table will be empty today :( We will keep watch and let you know as soon as we're back in business.
On the positive side, that gives us a little time to clean and peel more of our harvested garlic bulbs ready to sell (see picture below). Can you hear the Doris kids groaning? We might also have time to get a couple more changes completed!
Crossing fingers for a little heat!
The weather lately has been great - not too warm, nice sunny days but those cool nights, while great for sleeping, are doing NOTHING for our corn table.
According to Peter our "resident corn expert", the planting of corn that should be on your table right now is just not ripening in the field. Warm temperatures during the day and night are both critical for growing corn. Farmers refer to this as heat units and they differ in regions across Ontario.
Warm temperatures help corn to mature. With sweet corn, maturity means the cobs are filled and perfect for eating. The cooler weather we've been having has been slowing that maturity. I guess you can think of it as the same as putting vegetables or fruit in the fridge to slow down ripening.
So, our corn table will be empty today :( We will keep watch and let you know as soon as we're back in business.
On the positive side, that gives us a little time to clean and peel more of our harvested garlic bulbs ready to sell (see picture below). Can you hear the Doris kids groaning? We might also have time to get a couple more changes completed!
Crossing fingers for a little heat!
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Just a Little Taste....
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the last couple of days for the first tastes of corn. Sadly, due to hot weather during tasseling and those raccoons (see previous post), our supply has been impacted. We've had to pull the corn signs for a few days. But we will be back as soon as possible.
It's been great to see our regulars and meet some new corn lovers so early in the season.
Hope you all have a great long weekend.
See you at the corn table soon!
It's been great to see our regulars and meet some new corn lovers so early in the season.
Hope you all have a great long weekend.
See you at the corn table soon!
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Corn-i-vores Officially!
We're excited to post that we do indeed have corn available today. Stop by to see us at the table!
Supply may be limited over the next few days.
Today's corn is a bi-colour called Navajo. We had some delicious, tender cobs for supper last night. And nothing tastes better than the first corn of the season.
An ear from a week or so ago...now ready to eat!
Supply may be limited over the next few days.
Today's corn is a bi-colour called Navajo. We had some delicious, tender cobs for supper last night. And nothing tastes better than the first corn of the season.
An ear from a week or so ago...now ready to eat!
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Those "Waskly Waccoons"
We really know all about family bonding at the Doris'! While the kids' friends have fun family weekends (now don't get me wrong, we do manage some fun, non-work stuff too), we sometimes have work that just has to be done. Such is the life of a farmer....
Last week, Pete noticed on his "crop tour" that our little raccoon friends seem to have found our 2013 corn field a little earlier than usual. That meant it was time to get into action and tackle those pesky predators (or "waskly waccoons") who love our sweet corn. And that's where Elmer Fudd comes in (you do remember Bugs Bunny don't you?
Peter may wear a funny hat, but instead of hunting, we set up an electrified predation fence, usually used by sheep farmers, around the perimeter of our sweet corn field. We're crossing fingers that these little zaps will keep the raccoons away.
Special thanks to Claire and Maggie for their hard work!
And crossing fingers, we're hoping to have corn by the Civic Holiday weekend.
We really know all about family bonding at the Doris'! While the kids' friends have fun family weekends (now don't get me wrong, we do manage some fun, non-work stuff too), we sometimes have work that just has to be done. Such is the life of a farmer....
Last week, Pete noticed on his "crop tour" that our little raccoon friends seem to have found our 2013 corn field a little earlier than usual. That meant it was time to get into action and tackle those pesky predators (or "waskly waccoons") who love our sweet corn. And that's where Elmer Fudd comes in (you do remember Bugs Bunny don't you?
Peter may wear a funny hat, but instead of hunting, we set up an electrified predation fence, usually used by sheep farmers, around the perimeter of our sweet corn field. We're crossing fingers that these little zaps will keep the raccoons away.
Special thanks to Claire and Maggie for their hard work!
And crossing fingers, we're hoping to have corn by the Civic Holiday weekend.
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
The First Update of 2013 - Corn is Around the Corner
What a summer ...and July has barely started! At the Doris Farm, haying has been a frustrating experience to date with weather and machinery challenges. We appear to be more that 2 weeks behind compared to last year. Hopefully some rain-free days will come (but please, just a few) so we can get first-cut hay off our farm "to do" list.
While Peter raked some hay (hoping baling might happen tomorrow), I headed off on a little crop tour. The good news is our corn seems to have liked the rain and the hot, humid weather to date. The first sign we watch for is tassels on our corn. Now I'm certainly no agronomist, but my understanding is that the tassel is the male flower of the corn plant. It's really a group of flowers that grow at the top of each corn stalk (I think it's almost a little feathery). It only grows after most of the plant growth has happened and the ears of corn are starting to grow. (For you growth and development types, the silk of the corn cob is the female flower). Southwestern Ontario friends talk about their experiences de-tasseling corn as a summer job - removing the tassels, one by one, to allow for cross-pollination resulting in new hybrid corn varieties.
Tonight's tour showed success - our first patch of early corn looks great. As you can see in the picture, uniform tassels! The best news - according to Peter, that means we're a mere 3 weeks from corn season. Are you as excited as we are?
We hope to have a few surprises for you this year too. But that's for another post!
What a summer ...and July has barely started! At the Doris Farm, haying has been a frustrating experience to date with weather and machinery challenges. We appear to be more that 2 weeks behind compared to last year. Hopefully some rain-free days will come (but please, just a few) so we can get first-cut hay off our farm "to do" list.
While Peter raked some hay (hoping baling might happen tomorrow), I headed off on a little crop tour. The good news is our corn seems to have liked the rain and the hot, humid weather to date. The first sign we watch for is tassels on our corn. Now I'm certainly no agronomist, but my understanding is that the tassel is the male flower of the corn plant. It's really a group of flowers that grow at the top of each corn stalk (I think it's almost a little feathery). It only grows after most of the plant growth has happened and the ears of corn are starting to grow. (For you growth and development types, the silk of the corn cob is the female flower). Southwestern Ontario friends talk about their experiences de-tasseling corn as a summer job - removing the tassels, one by one, to allow for cross-pollination resulting in new hybrid corn varieties.
Tonight's tour showed success - our first patch of early corn looks great. As you can see in the picture, uniform tassels! The best news - according to Peter, that means we're a mere 3 weeks from corn season. Are you as excited as we are?
We hope to have a few surprises for you this year too. But that's for another post!
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