Funeral for Tito the Duck (CSA letter 4)

Oz Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) letter, written in October.

As I waded into the cold, rushing Garcia carrying his lifeless feathered body, I turned around briefly towards the bank where a crowd of Oz apprentices stood watching silently.

Tito, also known as Franklin, was the most gentlemanly duck a farmer could hope for.
The only duck amongst a flock of chickens, Tito was a guy who took care of his lady duck girlfriends, and was always willing to take a peck at Little Cock (a remarkably small rooster with a big ego and sharp talons) when he got out of line.

And when Tito's final girlfriend disappeared one night, Tito was shaken like I've never seen a duck shaken before, and his human-like depth came through.

For weeks, Tito, with his shining heart of gold, escaped the coop and began a Great Quest to find his beloved. We would find him by the Farm Kitchen, by the parking lot, under Arielle's car, in the orchard, everywhere, always searching for her. His determination was impressive, and his obvious melancholy brought up strong emotions in us all, because the search for love is a universal constant.

We all could understand how Tito felt. He was not just a simple bird-brained duck, he was a guy with feelings, expressing himself through his wandering.

As a member of our small funeral party remarked, "Tito was a stand-up guy".

Rest in peace, Tito-Franklin. You were a swell duck.

With respect and reverence,
Farmer Moss

Baked Apple Deliciousness (straight from the Farm Kitchen)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Place 4-5 chopped apples, a handful of raisins, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or honey, and at least 5 shakes of cinnamon in a glass baking pan. Mix in pan with hands. Add oats, nuts, and granola to top. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until apples are desired crunchy-softness.

Enjoy as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


Pumpkin Soup (straight from the Farm Kitchen)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Cut pumpkin in 4 pieces and place on a baking sheet, removing seeds. Bake for 45 minutes or until soft. Scrape out cooled pumpkin and place into large pot of water. Puree pumpkin and potatoes if desired.
In frying pan, saute onions, garlic, carrots, bell peppers and other seasonal produce. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over. Stir contents into pot of pumpkin puree and reheat if needed.

Serve with toast and salad and a cup o' tea.