Crader Family Lettuce by Mary Katherine Crader Daniels, submitted for the 2022 Seed Savers Exchange Conference, “I hope you will enjoy this lettuce recipe as much as we have over the years,” says Mary Katherine. “It’s an old German recipe—my mother had a special way of wilting the lettuce.”
When planting carrots, be aware that they can be finicky in the early part of the season. Carrots are biennials, producing seed after two years of growth, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie, submitted by Meredith Burks, Seed Savers Exchange director of marketing and communications. “Enjoying this smoothie is a great way to start your day,” says Meredith. “It has veggies, healthy carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein.”
Italian Sausage with Crush ‘Ausilio’ Pepper Flakes by Chad Ogle-Riccelli, donor of the ‘Ausilio Thin Skin Italian’ pepper; submitted by Michele Ogle-Riccelli. “Our family has many warmhearted memories of spending time with Grandpa Nicholas Domenico ‘Nick’ Riccelli in the kitchen making Italian sausage,” says Michele. “Grandma Theresa (Ausilio) Riccelli (97 years old) remembers all the times her family would spend together stuffing sausage into casings and later adding it to their pasta sauce. She will tell you that her children and grandchildren loved shaping the Italian sausage into patties and having them as a sandwich topped, of course, with fried ‘Ausilio Thin Skin Italian’ peppers and provolone cheese.
Bruschetta submitted by Louise Quigley, Seed Savers Exchange member “I only make this recipe in late summer/early fall when the tomatoes, basil, and oregano are all ready in my garden and the harvested garlic is ready to use,” says Louise. “I use organic whole wheat bread baked by my husband.”
Great Grandma’s Sour Dill Yellow Beans submitted by Liz Belina, Seed Savers Exchange member. “This old family recipe has been passed down without being written down,” says Liz. “It was made often in the summer to go along with panfish Grandma would catch in the pond with her cane pole. Since she was here as a first-generation Bohemian, I like to think the recipe came from that region.”
Craig and his childhood friend David Theodoropoulos decided to hitch-hike 2,400 miles from northern California to Dimondale, Michigan in an effort to preserve Harry Saier’s seed collection. Ultimately, this was the catalyst that helped Craig found Redwood City Seed Company, and allowed David to start J.L. Hudson Seedsman.
This versatile crop originated in South America centuries ago and today ranks as the most popular vegetable in the United States. Cool-season vegetables, potatoes come in a great range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures and are grown from small tubers known as “seed potatoes”.
Arugula grows well in the spring and fall but tends to bolt in hot weather. Its prolific flowers attract many pollinators before plants go to seed. Gardeners enjoy this cool-weather crop for its nutty and peppery bite.
This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to create community, strengthen my gardening abilities, grow connections with knowledgeable individuals—and share what I have learned in the process of it all—here at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.