Fresh from Wellspring Charitable Gardens - May 29, 2025

Fresh Today… Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Kale, Beets, Carrots, Spinach, Onions, Salad Turnips, Parsley, Dill, Cilantro, Chives, Basil, Lemon Basil, Lemons & Apricots

Using your Produce… by Julie Moreno

We are harvesting more onions this week. They are starting to bolt, which is when the plant sends up a flower that will become seeds for another generation. We recommend storing these onions in the fridge until you are ready to use them. Keep them in a sealed bag or container so that their aroma doesn’t permeate your fridge. You will want to remove the center portion of the onion, because it is tough, but the remaining onion can be sliced or chopped. To use lots of our onions, I included a recipe to caramelize them. Caramelized onions are incredibly versatile and can elevate the flavor of many dishes. Try them on sandwiches, burgers or elevate a simple grilled cheese. On pizza or flatbreads, they can be used as a topping alongside goat cheese, arugula, and prosciutto. In pasta dishes they pair with mushrooms or spinach for a simple spring pasta toss.

Caramelized Onions

3-4 large Onions (red, white, or

        yellow doesn't matter)

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

1 teaspoon dried thyme

¼ cup dry white wine or dry sherry

     or water

1 teaspoon salt

fresh ground pepper to taste

* Slice the onions lengthwise, from the root to tip.  In a large pot, cook the onions with the oil or butter over medium-low heat, until the onions are brown, about 45-60 minutes. (Occasionally add a little water, if necessary, to keep from burning.) Add the thyme, wine, salt and pepper. Scrape the bottom of the pan and cook until the wine is nearly evaporated. Enjoy the onions as a topping to steak, pasta, or white beans, or let the onions cool and refrigerate for up to one week.

𝝮N

Phi Gamma Chapter Omega Nu 

Dear Wellspring Charitable Gardens:

On behalf of Omega Nu, we would like to thank you for your recent grant application.  We are happy to inform you that your agency was selected to receive a grant this year in the amount of $3,000 for the purpose of increasing the amount of organic produce that Wellspring provides to students in neighboring schools.

We appreciate all that your agency provides to women, children and families in Stanislaus County. Our philanthropic organization, Omega Nu, works hard fundraising and we recognize that you too work hard in your endeavors helping our city and county with your important work.

With much gratitude for the work you do for our community! 

Donna, Carole and Heidi

Phi Gamma Chapter Omega Nu Modesto

2024-2025 Charity Co-Chairs 

THANK YOU, Wellspring Subscribers and Supporters,

for all you do to help us

grow farm fresh food & nourish body and soul!

Favorite Summer Squash Recipe…

This is my favorite squash recipe. It’s quick, easy, tastes great and is even better the next day. Any of our summer squash varieties can be used. Mix and match the colors to make a colorful side dish.

Squash Fritters 

3 pieces summer squash,        

    about 1-pound                            

¾ teaspoon salt                           

1 egg                                              

 ¼ cup flour (a gluten free flour

grated substitute will work) 

2 Tablespoons shredded cheese

1 Tablespoon of oil

* Combine the grated squash and salt and leave it in a colander for 20-30 minutes to allow some of the water to drain.  Squeeze the squash to remove any excess water, then mix it with the egg, flour and cheese.  Heat a nonstick pan, over medium heat, add the oil and drop 1/4 cup of the squash mixture into the pan.  Help it to spread out a little then repeat 2-3 more times, so you have 3-4 small pancakes.  Allow them to cook for 5 minutes then turn the fritters over and cook for another 5 minutes.  Remove them and cook another batch to use the remaining batter.  Enjoy hot, but they are also great the next day. 

Metaphors of Soil and Soul . . .

Grateful Awareness

Ronda May Melendez & Keith F Martin

The garden this morning filled my heart with unexpected joy and gratitude - two emotions sorely absent from this battered soul. The garden is a refuge, a sacred place where senses are quickened, and I am invited to move beyond myself and engage. Chittering magpies flit nearby and then dart between soaring poplar limbs and olive branches. Cool dew gathers between my toes and grass blades tickle my sandaled feet. A Jasmine scented west wind breezes lazily over the fence rails to caress my nose. Flame callas unfold red spathes to reveal yellow and orange petals that enliven an otherwise drab, shaded stretch of east facing fence. Plump cherries, suspended in boughs just beyond hand’s reach, tempt me in their glossy red attire and bid me “Taste!” Today’s garden delights are balm for my soul.

So often, though, I hurry past these remarkably tangible blessings, unaware of their presence or the beauty bestowed by the LORD in their being. With heart and mind pressed inward and numbed by present cares and by constant concern, I easily overlook or indifferently decline their sensual offerings. I have become overly familiar with them, taking for granted their simple beauty and seasonal show. Plants and creatures offer freely what they are, give what they are created to be – Delight! In them, the LORD displays his handiwork, reveals His design, and declares His Glory. The Psalmist bids me, “Taste, and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” 

Could it be that when we find ourselves discontent in earthly relationships, we are overlooking the Life and Being in Whose image we are created? Perhaps, we cannot appreciate or understand the supreme value of such a divine gift because it seems so incredible or has become so ordinary. If so, let us ask the Lord of Life to re-open our eyes and our hearts to His marvelous handiwork and glorious Presence revealed in all creation. Revived, we can joyfully offer Him our gratitude and His delightful creation our respect. 

“…what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20