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herb mixes , filter homegrown cider vinegar , pack garlic scapes into jars to pickle , and we make dill pickles !
So the question is , why pickles ?
A simple homemade dill pickle offered at lunch , probably 25 years ago , began what has now become a summer ritual . My kids are welcome , and encouraged , to eat all the pickles they ’ d like . So there are daily raids into the canned goods shelves !
However , there is a caveat : Each and every jar needs to be replaced ! That means all my helpers , and in 2016 they ’ re all girls , are in the kitchen ! ( Not every year … in 2008 my crew were ALL guys !) They ’ re making the pickles themselves , learning how to do it safely , and earning the privilege to eat them ! Once again , this completes the circle from seed to the dinner table . Even though they may never HAVE to preserve their own food , they have at least done it a few times .
And this gives them pride of “ ownership ” of the gardens and the products .
So – not so much a conclusion , because we will continue to do it every day at Whitehill Farm – but rather my gentle advice :
❧❧
Listen to children , young people and adults alike …
❧❧ Laugh and learn with them …
❧❧
Work side by side with them growing good food …
❧❧
Eat that excellent food in their good company …
❧❧
Work hard , sweat , tell stupid jokes and sing …
❧❧ and best of all make excellent pickles !
And after all , you might just be that unexpected teacher who changes a life forever !
A simple homemade dill pickle offered at lunch , probably 25 years ago , began what has now become a summer ritual .
GROW ! BOSTON
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