tuscan white bean soup with winter greens
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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Tuscan cuisine
13 min read
The soup is explicitly Tuscan-style, and understanding the cucina povera (poor kitchen) tradition explains why simple ingredients like beans, greens, and Parmesan rind create such depth of flavor. This regional culinary history contextualizes the recipe's humble-but-flavorful approach.
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Umami
13 min read
The article mentions that Parmesan rind 'adds amazing umami notes and depth of flavor.' Understanding the science of umami as the fifth taste, discovered by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda, explains why aged cheeses, tomato paste, and long-simmered dishes develop such satisfying depth.
Happy December! Happy holidays! Happy frantic wild chaotic stressful time of year!
This year my kids are 4 and 2, and it’s the first holiday season where they’re old enough to be properly giddy about Christmas trees and ornaments and making cookies and hot chocolate and stories of Santa’s reindeer… and it’s the actual BEST. I’m someone who usually gets very stressed out by the holidays (though I’m pretty sure that is all of us?), so it’s been a real breath of fresh air to re-experience the magic of this season through the eyes of my kids.
Out on the farm, there’s still tons to do as we end the year, but thankfully there’s no sense of intense urgency like there is during the peak growing season. We still have crops to clear out, weeds to pull, tarps to move, and a giant mess of a barn to clean out… but my team and I are moving more slowly and gently, sleeping in a little, and we know we will get it all done eventually.
I have a LOT of exciting updates and projects in the works for 2026, which I’ll be able to share more about in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. :)
In the meantime, let’s talk about some excellent holiday gift ideas…
1) My healing herbal salve – IYKYK… over the years, these salves have become a cult favorite, and they sell out every year! This salve is made from an organic coconut + olive oil blend that is gently infused with medicinal plants grown on our farm (calendula, comfrey, and plantain). The infused oil is then blended with beeswax and fortified with Vitamin E and high quality essential oils. Basically, it has magical healing powers. Keep this luscious salve for yourself, or they make great gifts for the holidays. Get yours here.
2) A *virtual* private garden consultation with yours truly! Each season I accept a limited number of consultation clients, and I will personally guide them through goal setting + problem solving for the upcoming growing season, with the option of having me create a customized planting plan. Because these consultations are virtual, the consultation recipient can live anywhere. More info here.
3) A farm to table cooking class at our farm! My workshops are very hands-on, include a full tour of the farm, and everyone helps harvest fresh produce that
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