Ms. Chaides' Class Eats Succotash

Today Ms. Chaides' class visited the garden and reviewed the plants that are in the Three Sisters Garden of the Native Americans. These are corn, beans and squash. We planted these vegetables last spring and can still see the corn and beans in our garden. Corn acts as a trellis or support for the beans and the squash keeps the soil cool. Thus the three sisters work together.  Corn was a big staple of the Native Americans. There is evidence of it being grown in 1 A.D.! (so over 2000 years).

We discussed the various types of squash, beans and corn. The students then tasted succotash made from corn, squash and beans with tomatoes as garnish.  Succotash (from the Narragansett tribe's sohquttahhash, "broken corn kernels") is a food dish consisting primarily of corn and lima beans or other shell beans.

Some students liked the succostash so well that they even returned to the garden after to school to eat some more!

We also reviewed some of the plants that the Chumash used-white sage and Cleveland sage.

Ms. Bihari's Class Makes Salsa

On September 29, Ms. Bihari's class made salsa using tomatoes, jalapenos, limes and garlic from the farmers' market and cilantro and onions that they'd planted last year in the the school garden.
They ate the salsa with tortilla chips.  

Each table of children had a different task to accomplish, e.g. cutting up tomatoes in small pieces, tearing the cilantro. An adult was assigned to help each group. Thanks to the parents and Carolyn Hasselkorn for helping with the lesson.

Salsa Recipe

8 ripe tomatoes
2 onions or several small onions
½ bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
2-3 jalapeno peppers
3 T. olive oil
3 T. fresh lime juice
salt and pepper to taste