A New Lamb + Zucchini Recipe for You

Hello Lamb Friends……

Summer is rushing by here at Leyden Glen Farm. Julia and I have escaped from the farm a couple times - leaving Farmer Mark at home to care for the sheep and dogs and cats and chickens. Livestock farmers (unfortunately) never get a chance to go on vacation. It was nice to have a change of scenery. I hope you too get a chance to get away and escape your normal day to day.

While I was away, my garden went into overdrive. With all the rain, there have been a few rainbows making the days extra special.

Here on the farm, we are anticipating breeding season. Ewes (female sheep) come into estrus in early August and cycle every 21 days through January. Right now, we have 8 groups of sheep - in Bernardston (1 group), Leyden (4 groups), Greenfield (2 groups) and Colrain (1 group). I marvel at how Mark knows who is where and what needs to be done daily. We need 8 rams to cover all the groups. Hopefully in January we will start seeing some of the lambs from this breeding season.

As promised, I’ve got a new recipe for you. Our friend Yola shared an easy and very tasty Lamb and Zucchini Kofta (Meatball) Recipe with us. The meatballs can be served hot, warm or cold. Don’t miss the Yogurt Sauce that is flavored with a Middle Eastern Spice Blend called Za’atar. You can get the spice blend at Whole Foods or order it online from any spice purveyor. The sauce can be drizzled on all kinds of edibles. Check out the recipe here.

Better yet, stop by our market stall this Saturday from 7:30 to 1:30 at the Amherst Farmers Market on the Common. I’ll be handing out paper copies of the recipe and you can pick up some of our ground lamb and maybe a zucchini or two.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Your shepherds,

Mark and Kristin

p.s. For any of you who like to watch YouTube videos, Mark has a favorite “channel” he is really enjoying. It’s called Just A Few Acres Farm. Farmer Pete is a former architect who is now raising pigs, cattle, and chickens on his farm near Ithaca, NY. His videos are educational and interesting if you would like to learn more. I really enjoyed this one.

p.s. That’s a piece of my handmade and hand painted pottery that is also available in our farmer’s market booth.