Farm Girl Friday -1 August 2014

 

I don't know if there is an official Farm Girl link-up this week, I think Deborah Jean is still on holidays.

Today is the old Anglo Saxon holiday of Lammas.  It comes from the Anglo Saxon 'hlaf-mass' or loaf mass and is a celebration of the start of the harvest season.  Traditionally a loaf of bread was made with the freshly harvested wheat and then brought to church for a blessing.  The Anglo Saxons must have grown winter wheat because our spring wheat isn't ready to harvest yet.

We'll make a loaf of oat bread and have  a supper of pork chops, salad, beans and potatoes.  All from our gardens and farm.

The cucumbers are ready in the garden, so I thought I'd share a delicious recipe for bread and butter pickles (on the left).  This is my Grandma's recipe.

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES

12 med. cucumbers, sliced

5 onions, sliced

Sprinkle these with salt and let stand for 1 hour.  Rinse well and drain.  While they are sitting, combine the following:

1 tsp ginger                                   1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp celery seed                          1 Tbs turmeric

1 tsp mustard seed                      1 Tbs corn starch

1 cup white sugar                         2 cups white vinegar (regular not pickling)

Combine with the onions and cucumbers and cook for 10 minutes until soft.  Pack into sterilized jars.  Seal and process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.