CSA Newsletter: Summer 2010 – Week 18
Community News : We are excited to be hosting a global work party event for the climate change organization called 350.org this coming Sunday afternoon. On 10/10/10 individuals all around the world are participating in events intended to celebrate climate solutions and to communicate to politicians that we want them to work toward solutions too. So far there are 6227 events planned in 185 countries! Organized by CSA member Stephen Bazan, folks are going to come to the farm to get their hands dirty and break up some garlic bulbs to create the seed for next year’s harvest. It will be on Sunday the 10th at our HOME farm in Cross Plains from 3-4:30 pm. You are all invited to come take part in this work party event! Click here to find out more. If you plan on coming, it’s important to rsvp through the 350.org website so we know how many folks to prep for. The event is called CSA Farm visit: Garlic Lovers Unite! There are many events going on in the Madison area as well ” so in the name of driving less, check €˜em out! Whether you break garlic or not, we encourage you to get involved and take part in some of these great events in the Dane county area.
Meanwhile, just one more week until the 1st annual harvest party on October 16th (click here for details)!
From the Fields: Autumn is just continuing to creep in, eh? All morning long as we harvested, flocks of geese flew overhead. After the first frost this weekend, the only crops remaining in the fields are those that are still underground (beets, carrots, radishes, etc.) or tolerant to frost (mostly those in the broccoli family). One exception is the green beans. These plants are not tolerant to the frost, and if you saw them right now, they just look black from the frost. The frost was mild enough, however, that the beans were protected enough not to freeze. We’re super happy about that, because this last planting of beans was chock-full of tender beans. The first picking is always the best, and that’s what you’ll be receiving this week. These beans are skinny, sweet, and downright delicious.
Your Share: New this week is kuri squash. Kuri squash is great for soups, stews, and casseroles. It’s a drier, sweet squash that is often described as having a nutty flavor. It’s great for sweet baking too ” cookies, pies, cakes, etc. You can peel and boil it, or bake it. The skin is pretty tough, so often baking is an easier way, especially now that it’s cool enough outside to actually enjoy turning on the oven! Other item news:
- Salad mix is back! The cool weather is great for growing mixed greens. Think blue cheese and radish salad ” a yummy favorite.
- Radishes ” Ever thought of trying radishes for breakfast? The French are known for salting radishes and eating them on buttered bread for breakfast! Not quite the helpful cooking idea you were hoping for? Beyond salads and sandwiches, radishes can also be really nice with eggs. Or see the potato salad recipe for this week.
- Eggplant – The regular members will receive the €˜eggplant cleanout.’ Knowing that frost was on its way, we picked all the remaining eggplant. There wasn’t much, seeing as it’s been a bad year for it. The fruits are quite small for the most part, but they should be enough to make a great addition to a stir-fry or curry. We are working with UW Extension to try and understand how we could have such a great year last year, followed by crop failure this year. Hopefully we’ll find something out!
Enjoy your veggies this week! Sincerely, Mike, Cassie, Zea and crew
In Your Share:
- Acorn Squash – EOs
- Bok Choi – REGs
- Carrots – EOs
- Eggplant ” REGs
- Garlic
- Green Beans
- Kale, Green
- Kuri Squash – REGs
- Radish
- Red Potatoes
- Salad Mix
- Tatsoi ” EOs
- Yellow Onion
REGs = Regular Shares Only
EOs = Everyother Shares Only
This Week’s Recipes
Summer Week 18: Wednesday, October 6th – Everyother Group B
