THE VILLAGE VOICE

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." - William Shakespeare ~ Yoshino cherry ( Prunus x yedoensis ) forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia ) shadblow ( Amelanchier canadensis ) FAST & FRESH 'SPRING' PASTA ~ Easy supper with a bursting taste of spring _______ 12 oz. good linguine 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 cups thinly sliced leeks (some tender green included) 2 cups Organic Baby Spring Mix salad greens Parsley pesto: 2 cups packed Italian parsley 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (3/4 tsp. dried) 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (3/4 dried) 1 clove garlic 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese coarse salt & freshly ground pepper Additional toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese Combine parsley, olive oil, toasted pine nuts, t hyme , rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese in food processor and blend on/off until coarse puree. Season with coa...

Gardening Note: And early blooming native tree with four season appeal, the shadblow is a must for Michigan gardens. Each spring, surrounded by a carpet of trillium, you will spot the delicate white blooms as an understudy plant in woodlands. In June, its branches are laden with cardinal red fruit that ripens into a delicious deep-purple edible delicacy. In autumn, leaves turn an orangy -red complimenting the smooth gray bark . For more information visit the Michigan State Extension Home Page ~ ( http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/modzz/00000098.html ) ~ Shadblow Serviceberry in bloom ( Amelanchier canadensis ) __________________________ LEMONY SPRING LAMB KABOBS ~ parboiled onions and pepper allow easier threading on skewers * 2 lbs. boneless Spring lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 cup red wine 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves minced garlic 1 1/2 Tbsp. dried marjoram, divided juice of 1 lemon and zest coarse salt & freshly cracked pepper 3 peeled and quarte...