It’s been another trying month on the farm with days of unbearable heat. At times we really feel we’re at breaking point, watching the storm clouds gather, just to dissipate again with one or two feeble cracks of thunder and not a drop of rain. And yet it’s nothing new. This summer so far we’ve received 32mm of rain. Looking back at records over the last 10 years, for the same period we’ve averaged 39mm of rain. By this time last year, and in 2019 we hadn’t had a drop of rain. And always at this time of year the words of “Stuur Groete Aan Mannetjies Roux” keep buzzing around my brain.

At the moment we’re enjoying artichoke, asparagus, courgette, garlic, strawberries and mulberries.  We’ve planted out our fruiting vegetables including chilli, tomatoes, aubergine and tomatillo (Mexican husk tomato) melons, squash and pumpkin, and potatoes. As soon as we get our first good rains our mealies (corn) will go in, together with sorghum, sesame, carrots and beans, and a selection of salad ingredients including lettuce, cucumber and radish.

Fruit trees have mostly set fruit, but with the hot winds many have dropped a fair amount. On the plus side the apricots, plums, peaches, and nectarines that remain behind will grow nice and big as there’ll be less competition on the trees.

So what does this mean for you, our loyal followers?

• Over the summer we sell limited fresh produce off the farm and from our Lonehill depot, keep an eye out on our weekly newsletter updates.
• All produce grown on the farm goes into our menu planning for our Sunday Lunches – we still have 3 planned lunches for this year and some delicious ideas for the new year, see below.
• The majority of our produce finds its way into bottles – jams, relishes, chutneys, sauces, marinades, etc. We grow everything organically with NO chemicals or pesticides, not even “organic” ones, ensuring that you get the very healthiest produce as nature intended.

High praise from one of our regular product clients:

“…. The pork that you produce tastes extraordinary. The rich colour of the meat and the delicious flavour puts it in a class of its own and cannot even be compared to factory farmed meat. We especially enjoy slow cooked roasts as the meat has just the right amount of fat that ensures that each bite melts in your mouth. We know that the pigs live their best possible life and will never be able to purchase pork anywhere else….” – Claudine.

Gear up for Christmas 

Ensuring that we bring you the very best for your end of year break and celebrations we start planning early, we already started in May. We had a wonderful response to our October postings, and only have very limited stock left of the following: 

• Christmas gammons – Every year we produce a small number of gammons for the lucky few. They are a labour of love for us. We make these the old fashioned way. Legs of ham are first brined for around 15 to 30 days in an aromatic salt, spice and apple brine. They are then air dried for two weeks before being cold smoked for a week, then vacuum packed ready for distribution. All you need to do is boil the ham and glaze. They range in size from ±2,5 to ±4kg in size.  
• Oven ready pigs – Already been in the planning from the end of May when we put the boars to the sows. They are destined for the Christmas market. By early December they will be around 6-10 kg slaughter weight, perfect for oven or spit roasting. 
• Porchetta – Want a showstopper but without the hassle of a whole pig? Try our Porchetta! A rolled and stuffed pork loin/belly, oven-ready and packed with flavour – just roast to crispy perfection, to impress your guests – only 4 left. 
• Hot-Smoked Hams – For no-fuss entertaining, our deboned, hot-smoked shoulder hams are perfect! We have sizes ranging from 1.5kg to 2,5kg. Simply defrost, carve, and serve – ideal for casual Christmas lunches and dinners. We’ll even throw in some serving ideas to make your hosting even easier!

To reserve one please email earth@wickedfood.co.za, with the approximate size you’re looking for.