CSA 8/28

Hello CSA Members,

For all of you whom are going back to school or sending children back to school we wish you and your families many blessings.  When changing your schedules these weeks don’t forget to pick up your produce.  Perhaps you could set the alarm on your phone. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about the “energetics” of food.  To me this means what crops are growing at their peak and will contain the most amount of life force energy and of course nutrition.  This is definitely seasonal but could vary from farm to farm.  I often want to give customers what they want and are used to but this is not always what is most energetic at the time.  So I thought I would pass on a list of what is thriving right now and therefore in my opinion would be the most “energetic.”  The list will be below. 

We will be hosting the Rt 10 Organic Farm / Nursery Tour on Saturday September 7^th.  I will attach the flyer.  This is a free event in which we collaborate with Sugarbush Nursery (Native Plants), King’s Herb Nook, and Wyebrook Farm.  Sugarbush will be hosting a meadow and forest walk and we will be doing an heirloom tomato tasting.  It is a great way to come out and see the farm. 

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 2 pm.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.

Notes about this week’s harvest list:

·      This week you will be able to order multiples of some items.  For example if you would like 2 orders of lettuce you may do so.  If you can order multiples it will be stated next to the item.  If you order 2 orders of lettuce it counts as 2 orders for your 8 items (for a full share) or 5 items (for a half share).  If and item does not list an option for ordering multiples then you cannot order multiples of that item. 

·      If you do not order we do not usually give herbs or flowers.  If you do not want to order all of your items and would like to be surprised be sure to request the herbs or flowers. 

This week’s Harvest:

   Full shares order 8 items.  Half Shares order 4-5 items (depending on how much you want.)

·       Salad Mix – 8 oz

·      Beans, Green or French– ¾ lb You may order 2

·      Italian Basil – ¼ lb

·      Swiss Chard – ¾ lb

·      Fresh Flower Bouquets, including sunflowers.   You may order 2.

·      Tomato 2 lb mixed bags of cherries, heirlooms and red tomatoes.  You may order 3.

·      Tomato, Cherry – 2 lb bag. You may order 3.

·      Tomato, Red – 2 lb bag. You may order 3.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

·      Mint - 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Chives – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Marjoram – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Garlic – ¼ lb.  Purple Stripe.  This is individual cloves and very sweet.  You may order 2.

·      Tomatillos 1 lb OR Sweet Peppers 1 lb mostly green OR hot peppers ½ pint.

·      Winter Squash – 1 fruit.  Red Kuri, Delicata, Buttercup, Spaghetti, Blue Hokkaido

·      Cabbage, Savoy – 1 – 2 heads.

·      Lettuce- Romaine or Red Leaf – 1-2 heads.

Extras:  You must order 2 orders of tomatoes as part of your regular order to get the extra tomatoes this week. 

·      2 lb cherry tomatoes. 

·      2 lb red tomatoes. 

What crops we think have a high energy this week:

·      Garlic

·      Chives

·      Marjoram

·      Mint

·      Tomatoes !!!!!!!

·      Salad Mix

·      Lettuce

·      Beans

Recipes:

Green Beans. 

I am a big fan of eating beans raw.  Mostly they don’t make it into any dish or a pot to be cooked because I devour them immediately as a snack.  But here are a few recipes just in case.  And they can be frozen but must be blanched before hand. 

·       Roasted String Beans

A great substitute for French fries. 

¾ lb beans – tips removed and washed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

Freshly ground pepper.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place whole beans on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake until crispy about 25 minutes. 

·      Fried Green Beans- this looks a bit naughty but awesome. http://www.marthastewart.com/275532/green-bean-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide#319495

·      Sautéed with tomatoes and parmesan chips: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/sauteed-green-beans-with-tomatoes-and-basil-served-with-parmesan-crisps-recipe/index.html

·      I love to put green beans in my potato salad: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-deen/potato-salad-with-green-beans-and-pesto-recipe/index.html

·      And of course you can pickle them: http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2008/06/recipe_detail.html?id=6920&search=green%20beans&

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Have a great week!

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 8/21

Hello CSA Members,

We are officially half way through the season.  The CSA ends October 30^th.

Greens are sparce at the farm again this week.  I tried ordering in lettuce or salad mix but the other farm does not have any.  We have a lot planted for fall and our germination was fabulous.  It is a waiting game.  For now enjoy another week of beautiful tomato salads. 

We will be hosting the Rt 10 Organic Farm / Nursery Tour on Saturday September 7^th.  I will attach the flyer.  This is a free event in which we collaborate with Sugarbush Nursery (Native Plants), King’s Herb Nook, and Wyebrook Farm.  Sugarbush will be hosting a meadow and forest walk and we will be doing an heirloom tomato tasting.  It is a great way to come out and see the farm. 

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 2 pm.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.

Notes about this week’s harvest list:

·      This week you will be able to order multiples of some items.  For example if you would like 2 orders of lettuce you may do so.  If you can order multiples it will be stated next to the item.  If you order 2 orders of lettuce it counts as 2 orders for your 8 items (for a full share) or 5 items (for a half share).  If and item does not list an option for ordering multiples then you cannot order multiples of that item. 

·      If you do not order we do not usually give herbs or flowers.  If you do not want to order all of your items and would like to be surprised be sure to request the herbs or flowers. 

This week’s Harvest:

   Full shares order 8 items.  Half Shares order 4-5 items (depending on how much you want.)

·       Salad Mix – 6 oz Full Shares Only.

·      Beans, Green or French or yellow – ¾ lb OR carrots 1.5 lb no tops

·      Italian Basil – ¼ lb You may order 2

·      Swiss Chard – ¾ lb OR Malabar Spinach ¾ lb (This is not regular spinach.)

·      Kale – ¾ lb.  We will be ordering this from a local organic farm this week.  Our kale crop is just not doing as well as I would like. 

·      Cucumbers, Standard or Japanese Long 1.5 lb

·      Fresh Flower Bouquets, including sunflowers.   You may order 2.

·      Tomato 2 lb mixed bags of cherries, heirlooms and red tomatoes.  You may order 3.

·      Tomato, Cherry – 2 lb bag. You may order 3.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

·      Mint - 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Chives – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Marjoram – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Potatoes – Red or Yukon Gold 2 lb

·      Garlic – ¼ lb.  This is supposed to be Elephant Garlic, which has a mild flavor.  The seed did not stay true when we planted it.  It still has a mild flavor but is a single bulb.  You may order 2.

·      Eggplant – 1 lb various colors, shapes and sizes. OR Tomatillos 1 lb OR Peppers 1 lb mostly green. 

·      Blackberries – 1 pint.  Full Shares only.

·      Winter Squash – 1 fruit.  Red Kuri, Delicata, Buttercup, Spaghetti, Blue Hokkaido

Extras:  You must order tomatoes as one of your items above to get the extra tomatoes this week. 

·      1.5 lb cherry tomatoes. 

Recipes:

Just to back up my desire for you to order tomatoes I am going to keep the same recipes as last week. 

Tomatoes!  Now is the time to eat them while they are sweet and tasty.  We wait all year for this season and it doesn’t last forever. 

Freezing tomatoes can be very easy.  Simply cut off the stem and place on a cookie sheet in the freezer when it is frozen you can place in a plastic bag.  When you defrost the tomato in the winter the skin will come right off.  I do this to save time in the summer and make my sauces, salsas, catsup, chutney and BBQ sauce in January. 

·      Fried tomatoes – For a lighter healthier alternative try slicing the tomato ¼ inch thick dipping in an egg batter and then dipping in hemp seeds in place of corn meal or breadcrumbs.  Then bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  This is great to do with eggplant as well.   Eat these warm and keep leftovers for sandwiches. 

·      This is a hit at potlucks.  Tomato Curry Salad

I adopted this recipe from my father in-law.  It is a summer favorite.

3 medium tomatoes, (any type will work the salad types are less juicy than the slicing but the slicing tends to be more sweet)

1 small onion chopped

2 tablespoons mayo (I always use Vegenaise you can’t beat the taste)

Curry powder to taste.

 Add Salt & Pepper to taste.

Chop tomato into cubes.  Mix all ingredients and serve chilled.  Feel free to add basil.

·      Another great way to store tomatoes is to roast them and then freeze them.  Makes great bruschetta in February.  Feel free to try different herbs in this recipe.  http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/05/oven-roasted-tomatoes-tomato-recipe/

Have a great week!

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 8/14

Jill is ready to fertilize today. 

Hello CSA Members,

Another great week has passed at the farm.  We are almost through the repercussions of the hot week in July and the greens are steadily coming back to life.  Our fall planting went well (except for the cabbage).  We are pleased with how things are shaping up. 

Mid August is often a magical time at the farm.  It is like the last mile of the marathon.  The majority of the fall crops are finished planting and then the air changes, the light changes and the weeds seem to slow down just a bit.  There is a moment when you can look out over the field and take a deep breathe.  And whether or not the crops have done well you can be pleased that you tried your best.  And you can see the literal fruits of your labors.  It is pure joy.  I love my job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all for supporting us in our labor of love and we hope you feel the love when you eat the vegetables.  We have the best crew we have ever had in the fields this year and I hope you can taste the harmony in each bite. 

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 2 pm.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.

Notes about this week’s harvest list:

·      This week you will be able to order multiples of some items.  For example if you would like 2 orders of lettuce you may do so.  If you can order multiples it will be stated next to the item.  If you order 2 orders of lettuce it counts as 2 orders for your 8 items (for a full share) or 5 items (for a half share).  If and item does not list an option for ordering multiples then you cannot order multiples of that item. 

·      If you do not order we do not usually give herbs or flowers.  If you do not want to order all of your items and would like to be surprised be sure to request the herbs or flowers. 

This week’s Harvest:

   Full shares order 8 items.  Half Shares order 4-5 items (depending on how much you want.)

·       Lettuce, Romaine or Butter – 2- 3 - 4 heads depending on size.  Lettuce heads tend to be smaller in hot weather. OR Salad Mix – ½ lb

·      Beans, Green or French – ¾ lb OR Summer Squash – 1.5 lb patty pan, yellow or green zucchini or yellow crookneck.

·      Italian Basil – ¼ lb You may order 2

·      Swiss Chard – ¾ lb OR Malabar Spinach ¾ lb (This is not regular spinach.)

·      Kale – ¾ lb.  We will be ordering this from a local organic farm this week.  Our kale crop is just not doing as well as I would like. 

·      Cucumbers, Standard or Pickling or Lemon or Japanese Long 1.5 lb

·      Fresh Flower Bouquets, including sunflowers.   You may order 2.

·      Tomato 2 lb mixed bags of cherries, heirlooms and red tomatoes.  You may order 3.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

·      Mint - 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Chives – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Marjoram – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Potatoes – Red or Yukon Gold 2 lb

·      Garlic – ¼ lb.  This is supposed to be Elephant Garlic, which has a mild flavor.  The seed did not stay true when we planted it.  It still has a mild flavor but is a single bulb.  You may order 2.

·      Eggplant – 1 lb various colors, shapes and sizes. OR Tomatillos 1 lb OR Peppers 1 lb mostly green. 

·      Blackberries – 1 pint.  Half Shares only.

Extras:  You must order tomatoes as one of your items above to get the extra tomatoes this week. 

·      1.5 lb cherry tomatoes. 

Recipes:

Tomatoes!  Now is the time to eat them while they are sweet and tasty.  We wait all year for this season and it doesn’t last forever. 

Freezing tomatoes can be very easy.  Simply cut off the stem and place on a cookie sheet in the freezer when it is frozen you can place in a plastic bag.  When you defrost the tomato in the winter the skin will come right off.  I do this to save time in the summer and make my sauces, salsas, catsup, chutney and BBQ sauce in January. 

·      Fried tomatoes – For a lighter healthier alternative try slicing the tomato ¼ inch thick dipping in an egg batter and then dipping in hemp seeds in place of corn meal or breadcrumbs.  Then bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  This is great to do with eggplant as well.   Eat these warm and keep leftovers for sandwiches. 

·      This is a hit at potlucks.  Tomato Curry Salad

I adopted this recipe from my father in-law.  It is a summer favorite.

3 medium tomatoes, (any type will work the salad types are less juicy than the slicing but the slicing tends to be more sweet)

1 small onion chopped

2 tablespoons mayo (I always use Vegenaise you can’t beat the taste)

Curry powder to taste.

 Add Salt & Pepper to taste.

Chop tomato into cubes.  Mix all ingredients and serve chilled.  Feel free to add basil.

·      Another great way to store tomatoes is to roast them and then freeze them.  Makes great bruschetta in February.  Feel free to try different herbs in this recipe.  http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/05/oven-roasted-tomatoes-tomato-recipe/

Have a great week!

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 8/4

LOVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello CSA Members,

Don’t forget this week will be a meat share. 

Hooray for August.  Sorry for the sad sounding email last week.  I didn’t mean for it to sound so bad.

We are celebrating the tomato this week.  Despite threats of disease and the unseasonably cool nights we have tomatoes.  This is the best harvest we have had in years and we are grateful.  We did plant 300 extra plants this year to try and make up for what we might loose. 

Did you know that tomatoes on the east coast are very susceptible to multiple diseases?  If you are a home gardener than I am sure you are completely aware of this sad fact.  We have been experimenting for the last year with fertilizers and all natural remedies.  I can’t say we have found a cure but thanks to the dry weather we are actually able to get a good harvest.  Don’t worry the disease in tomatoes is completely not transferable to humans.  So rejoice in your tasty treats while they last. 

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 2 pm.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.

Notes about this week’s harvest list:

·      This week you will be able to order multiples of some items.  For example if you would like 2 orders of lettuce you may do so.  If you can order multiples it will be stated next to the item.  If you order 2 orders of lettuce it counts as 2 orders for your 8 items (for a full share) or 5 items (for a half share).  If and item does not list an option for ordering multiples then you cannot order multiples of that item. 

·      If you do not order we do not usually give herbs or flowers.  If you do not want to order all of your items and would like to be surprised be sure to request the herbs or flowers. 

This week’s Harvest:

   Full shares order 8 items.  Half Shares order 4-5 items (depending on how much you want.)

·       Lettuce, Romaine or Butter – 2- 3 - 4 heads depending on size.  Lettuce heads tend to be smaller in hot weather.

·      Carrots – 1.5 lb no greens except on request OR Summer Squash – 1.5 lb patty pan, yellow or green zucchini or yellow crookneck.

·      Italian Basil – ¼ lb

·      Swiss Chard – ¾ lb OR Malabar Spinach ¾ lb (This is not regular spinach.) OR Kale ¾ lb

·      Cucumbers, Standard or Pickling or Lemon or Japanese Long 1.5 lb

·      Fresh Flower Bouquets, including sunflowers.   You may order 2.

·      Tomato 1.5 lb mixed bags of cherries, heirlooms and red tomatoes.  You may order 3.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

·      Mint - 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Oregano – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Chives – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Marjoram – 1/8 lb You may order 2

·      Potatoes – Blue Gold 2 lb

·      Garlic – ¼ lb.  This is supposed to be Elephant Garlic, which has a mild flavor.  The seed did not stay true when we planted it.  It still has a mild flavor but is a single bulb.  You may order 2.

·      Eggplant – 1 lb various colors, shapes and sizes. OR Tomatillos 1 lb OR Peppers 1 lb mostly green. 

·      Blackberries – 1 pint.  Full Shares only.

Extras:

Sorry no extras this week. 

Recipes:

Tomatillos  http://www.bhrecipes.blogspot.com/search/label/Tomatillos

Tomatillos are a relative of the tomato.   As a member described last week they are like a cross of a tomato and a green apple.  A dry tart tomato cousin.  Traditionally they are used in Mexican cooking to make the amazing Salsa Verde you find on tacos and burritos.  My husband and I love anything Mexican.  Tomatillos can be used in many ways to brighten up a dish with their tart flavor. 

·      Here is a traditional Salsa Verde recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/my-country-my-kitchen/salsa-verde-green-tomatillo-salsa-recipe/index.html

Since cilantro is not usually available this time of year I have adapted my own Salsa Verde recipe:

Tomatillo Mint Salsa

1 pound Tomatillos, cubed

1 medium onion diced

1/4-cup mint washed (any of the basil flavors would work well for this)

2-tablespoon fresh squeezed limejuice

Salt to taste

Sauté the onion and tomatillo in a pan until onions become clear. Add all ingredients to blender and puree. Serve chilled with a spoonful of sour cream.

Add a bit of hot pepper to the pan for heat. Roasting the hot peppers beforehand will give you a more intense flavor.

If you would like to can this mixture, simply add all the ingredients to food processor without cooking. The salsa will cook in the canner. This a wonderful winter treat, summer trapped in a jar.

·      Roasting the tomatillos adds extra flavor: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Guacamole-with-Roasted-Tomatillos-108021

·      This is a staple in our house.  Although I usually add in whatever other vegetables I have in the refrigerator, I use a whole small chicken and leave it in the bones and I make it a bit thinner. http://www.panningtheglobe.com/2013/01/05/guatemalan-green-chicken-stew/

Have a great week!

Thank you,

Erica