We spent some time in LA this past week, and weekend. We had the opportunity to go to el campo.
El campo is the family farm; an area, up in the hills surrounding Los Alto. Most of the different “plots”, if you will, around Ramon’s land, all belong to different family members. They are not just immediate families, but radial families, as well. Uncles, aunts, cousins, granddads’ sisters family; you get the idea. Ramon knows them all, and can point them all out.
I am not going to crop any of these photos; I feel you may want to enjoy the heights, and the clouds, as we do. These photos were taken within the same minute; moving from the right side of the mountain, with Los Altos in the background, to the middle, then left side.
Most of the crops you see belong to Ramon, and his sons, but some, as I mentioned, belong to other, more distant relatives. And, yes. It rained most of the evening, after those dark grey, rain-filled clouds rolled in.
In the photos, though, there are two main crops growing; obviously corn, that you recognize, but the shorter crop is fava beans; here they are called habas, (the “h” is silent.)
In this area, the corn grows on a purple stalk, and is surrounded by a purple husk; though, only the outer most husk is purple. Yet, the corn, inside, is sparse, with large kernels that are almost white. It is not the soft, sweet corn that is grown in the Midwest; mmmm, peaches and cream. This is what we corn snobs call field corn; corn which is grown to maintain livestock. It has quite a tough skin on the kernels, and not much sweet, if any. It serves its purpose for humans as well.
Fava beans are roughly the same size, and look quite a bit like the dreaded, and much loathed lima bean, but, fortunately, fava beans have a much better flavor. They are also a tiny bit sweet, and juicy, not dry, like the dreaded, and much loathed lima bean.
The family goes out, usually way before Ivan and I get up, and harvests large bags full of said beans. Then, Maria, makes a soup, or stew, with the beans, and sometimes adds meat, but, not always. It is always delicious, however. Even Gabi, who, like most four year olds, is a picky eater, will eat his Abuelitas bean stews.
The campo, not really a farm, but not really a camp, is an amazing place, a bit higher up the hills than the town. LA has a population of about forty five hundred people, but everyone seems to know everyone else. Love it.
I could write all day about this place; it is a place we want to make for our “forever” home. We shall see. To be continued.
Stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.
Update on our friend Cindy: she is still in a medically induced coma, but now has MRSA in her lungs. Not a very good prognosis.