CSA 11/27

Yes, this picture was taken some time ago but on a day like today I am dreaming of that warm greenhouse and that beautiful butterfly.

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Hello CSA Members,

Holy Cow!  It is so cold out.  Not to state the obvious but the last day at market today was a shockingly cold.  As soon as I put the greens on the table they froze.  I have never seen anything like it. 

Luckily we cleaned the fields as much as possible this weekend in preparation for a freeze.  The hardy greens and roots seem to be standing their ground. 

We will be delivering on our normal schedule on Wednesday. 

This week we ordered in a few items to make your Thanksgiving holiday special. 

From all of us at B & H we wish you and your families a warm and healthy holiday.  Don’t eat too much!

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganiccsa@gmail.com or call 484-955-1098.  I also am available to receive text messages at this phone number.  I appreciate all feedback and strive to create a healthy customer service experience. 

If you do not see an email from us feel free to check our blog where we will post the same email for you each week. http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your produce!  It may help to set an alarm on your phone. 

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 ordering:

·      We cannot guarantee orders.  We will definitely do our best. 

·      If an item has OR stated in the list than you can either of these items not both. 

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.  You can also order less than 6 items and we will fill in the rest. 

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 than this counts as 2 of your 6 items. 

·      We do not split items of make smaller bunches.  All sizes of the items are stated below. 

·      Yes, we definitely make mistakes.  So please let us know so we don’t make them again.  We are striving to provide great customer service. 

This week’s Harvest:

  All shares will choose 6 items from this list.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

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

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

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. No tops.  You may order 2

·      Collards – ¾ lb

·      Daikon Radishes – 1- 2 roots

·      Radicchio, tall or round – 2 heads

·      Carrots – ¾ lb.  No tops.

·      Potatoes, Red – 2 lb OR Potatoes, Fingerling – 1.5 lb OR Yams – 2 lb

·      Cabbage, Savoy – 1 head

·      Pac Choi, baby – ½ lb

·      Watermelon Radishes – 1 lb

·      Winter Squash, Buttercup – 1 fruit

·      Celery Root – 1-2 roots with greens

·      Turnips, baby white – ¾ lb

Extras:

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. No tops.  You must order beets in the list above to get extra beets this week.

What crops we think have a high energy this week:

·      Garlic

·      Daikon

·      Lettuce

·      Beets

·      Radicchio

·      Collards

Recipes:

Here is a repeat from last Thanksgiving.  Some new ideas for your holiday feast.

·      Beet Tartare with Goat Cheese on Arugula http://theshiksa.com/2012/08/17/roasted-beet-tartare/

·      Baked Radicchio & Herbed Goat Cheese Recipe http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/radicchioGoat.htm

Salads:

·      Orange, Fennel and Beet Salad http://frenchfood.about.com/od/salads/r/ojbeetfennel.htm

·      Radish Salad with Arugula – ( I recommend the Watermelon Radishes for this recipe.  They will definitely impress your guests.) http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/05/radish-arugula-salad-recipe.html

Side Dishes:

·      Spicy Brown Sugar Carrots http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/spicy-brown-sugar-carrots-recipe/index.html

·      Potato and Celery Root Mash http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/potato-celery-root-mash-00000000044532/

·      Collard Greens with Pancetta http://off-my-plate.blogspot.com/2009/09/collard-greens-from-garden-to-plate.html

·      Roasted Fingerling Potatoes http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-fingerling-potatoes-with-fresh-herbs-and-garlic-recipe4/index.html

·      Mashed Turnips (This recipe calls for Rutabagas but I use our White Turnips for this.  It is even a lighter texture.  A great alternative to heavy mashed potatoes.) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mashed-yellow-turnips-with-crispy-shallots-recipe/index.html

We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 11/20

These were the salad greens we picked for your CSA boxes last week.  Looks like I need to clean my camera phone lens again. 

Hello CSA Members,

This warm break is so nice for us.  It is amazing that 60 degrees feels like tropical weather compared to 40.   But I sure miss those 90-degree days. 

We have let go of many of our employees for the winter.  We have 2 left and will be letting one of them go at the end of the week.  Parting is such sweet sorrow.  The bonds formed over a season of farming are very strong.  You will see the best and worst of someone during a season.  Paul always says, “We will see what we are made of.”  And it is so true during the tough times and the plentiful times as well.  

I will be sad to see them all go but happy to have a little quiet time to commune with the plants again.  It is sad to say that, I am a better solitary worker than an employee manager.  I am really looking forward to the time to breath and watch Mother Nature slip into the winter months. 

May all the travels and adventures of our employees be blessed through the winter months.  And hope to see most of their beautiful faces refreshed in spring. 

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganiccsa@gmail.com or call 484-955-1098.  I also am available to receive text messages at this phone number.  I appreciate all feedback and strive to create a healthy customer service experience. 

If you do not see an email from us feel free to check our blog where we will post the same email for you each week. http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your produce!  It may help to set an alarm on your phone. 

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 ordering:

·      We cannot guarantee orders.  We will definitely do our best. 

·      If an item has OR stated in the list than you can either of these items not both. 

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.  You can also order less than 6 items and we will fill in the rest. 

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 than this counts as 2 of your 6 items. 

·      We do not split items of make smaller bunches.  All sizes of the items are stated below. 

·      Yes, we definitely make mistakes.  So please let us know so we don’t make them again.  We are striving to provide great customer service. 

This week’s Harvest:

  All shares will choose 6 items from this list.

·       Salad Mix – 8 oz.

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

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

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

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. No tops.  You may order 2

·      Collards – ¾ lb

·      Komatsuna (a mild mustard green) ¾ lb. You may order 2

·      Daikon Radishes – 1- 2 roots with greens. 

·      Radicchio, tall or round – 2 heads

·      Kale – ½ lb

·      Carrots – ¾ lb.  No tops.

·      Fingerling Potatoes – 1.5 lb

·      Spinach – ½ lb

·      Cabbage, Savoy – 1 head

Extras:

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. No tops.  You must order beets in the list above to get extra beets this week.

What crops we think have a high energy this week:

·      Garlic

·      Komatsuna

·      Daikon

·      Lettuce

·      Beets

·      Radicchio

·      Collards

·      Spinach

Recipes:

Garlic.

Garlic was a bit seller at market this weekend.  We all know that garlic is a great immune booster.  I had a customer tell me today that eats a raw clove of garlic in the morning and the evening and it keeps away his boils.  It is great for your circulation and great for lowering your bad cholesterol.  I personally just love the taste of roasted garlic.

Our main garlic crop is Purple Stripe.  It is does not have a large head but the individual cloves are of decent size.  It is spicy when eaten raw but gets milder when cooked.  Purple Stripe was voted best “baking garlic “ in a Rodale taste test. 

Don’t think you need to eat all the garlic in one week, garlic can store for up to 9 months!  This garlic was harvested in July and cured for up to a month to prepare it for long storage and better flavor.  Here are the best ways to store garlic:

Storing Garlic

For 1-2 month storage keep garlic at a temperature of 68  - 86 degrees in a dry place without exposure to light. 

Garlic can store up to 9 months.  Which means you can store your garlic until March or April.  If you plan to store garlic this long it should be kept at a temperature of 32 degrees.   Believe it or not garlic prefers a humidity level of 60 – 70 %.  I find the best way to store garlic long term is to keep in the refrigerator in a plastic container uncovered.  You may keep garlic in a garage or basement but check the temperature and keep the garlic out of direct light. 

And here is a great recipe for roasted garlic:

Roasted Garlic:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove as much of the paper from 2 whole heads of garlic as possible without breaking apart the cloves.

Place garlic heads in 1/4-cup water in a small baking dish.

Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil.

Cover with foil or baking dish cover.

Put into oven and baste with oil/water mixture after 30 minutes. Bake till garlic is soft and easily pierced with a thin-bladed knife @ 1 hour total cooking time.

We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 11/13

Here is Paul with his herd on the new tractor.  This is on the outermost part of the farm.  It is so peaceful and beautiful there.  Unfortunately I only get there when we are chasing cows. 

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Hello CSA Members,

Oh chilly weather!  Yes, this week was chilly but next week is looking even chillier.  As Mike and I were roaming the fields this afternoon tightening row covers in the wind, I was thinking about how only 2 years ago I thought the garden ended with the first real frost.  Now we are into November and have had several nights below 30 degrees and still those greens are hanging on.  The resilience of Mother Nature blows me away. 

Last year we were able to harvest greens from the field until January.  Most crops seem to shut down from December till February.  Most people think this is because of the cold but actually it is because of the length of day.  The darkest day of the year is December 21^st.  Quite a few plants can survive very cold temperatures but without the proper amount of light for photosynthesis they tend to shut down.  And in February we can have some of our coldest days but the plants seem to turn a corner and start pushing new leaves again.  I love my job and the miracles I witness everyday. 

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganiccsa@gmail.com or call 484-955-1098.  I also am available to receive text messages at this phone number.  I appreciate all feedback and strive to create a healthy customer service experience. 

If you do not see an email from us feel free to check our blog where we will post the same email for you each week. http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your produce!  It may help to set an alarm on your phone. 

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 ordering:

·      We cannot guarantee orders.  We will definitely do our best. 

·      If an item has OR stated in the list than you can either of these items not both. 

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.  You can also order less than 6 items and we will fill in the rest. 

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 than this counts as 2 of your 6 items. 

·      We do not split items of make smaller bunches.  All sizes of the items are stated below. 

·      Yes, we definitely make mistakes.  So please let us know so we don’t make them again.  We are striving to provide great customer service. 

This week’s Harvest:

  All shares will choose 6 items from this list.

·       Salad Mix – 8 oz. You may order 2

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

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

·      Tomatillos 1 lb. You may order 2

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

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. You may order 2

·      Collards – ¾ lb

·      Hot peppers, mixed – ½ pint.

·      Komatsuna (a mild mustard green) ¾ lb. You may order 2

·      Daikon Radishes – 1- 2 roots with greens. 

·      Watermelon Radishes – 1.5 lb

·      Radicchio, tall or round – 2 heads

·      Yams – 2 lb – We will be ordering these in from another local organic farm.

·      Kale – ½ lb

·      Green Tomatoes – these are green and won’t change color such as “fried green tomatoes.”

Extras: Because this week is new for us we will not be offering extras.    

What crops we think have a high energy this week:

·      Garlic

·      Komatsuna

·      Radishes

·      Lettuce

·      Beets

·      Radicchio

Recipes:

Green Tomatoes –

We often only think of green tomatoes in a fried form.  And we don’t often think of them as healthy but check this out; they are actually full of antioxidants and B vitamins. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-green-tomatoes-7590.html

Check out these recipes to see that green tomatoes are more versatile than you may have thought. 

·      Green tomato and Vidalia onion Gratin: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/green-tomato-and-vidalia-onion-gratin-recipe/index.html

·      Here are 6 different great recipes for green tomatoes: http://www.thekitchn.com/what-to-do-with-green-tomatoes-66605

·      25 great recipes including mincemeat.  Yummy!  You can prepare now for Thanksgiving. http://tipnut.com/green-tomato-recipes/

·      Grilled: http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilled-green-tomatoes/

·      Green tomato pie: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/green-tomato-pie

We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.

Thank you,

Erica

Late Season CSA 11/6

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Hello CSA Members,

Welcome to the first year of the B & H Organic Produce Late Season CSA.  This has been a dream of mine since the beginning.  As we grow as a business we find the CSA to become more valuable to us each year.  And it is you, our members, who make it possible to do what we love and share our passion with you.  You are extremely valuable to us.  Thank you.

I previously sent an email with instructions on how to pick up and order.  If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganiccsa@gmail.com or call 484-955-1098.  I also am available to receive text messages at this phone number.  I appreciate all feedback and strive to create a healthy customer service experience. 

If you do not see an email from us feel free to check our blog where we will post the same email for you each week. http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your produce!  It may help to set an alarm on your phone. 

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 ordering:

·      We cannot guarantee orders.  We will definitely do our best. 

·      If an item has OR stated in the list than you can either of these items not both. 

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.  You can also order less than 6 items and we will fill in the rest. 

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 than this counts as 2 of your 6 items. 

·      We do not split items of make smaller bunches.  All sizes of the items are stated below. 

This week’s Harvest:

  All shares will choose 6 items from this list.

·       Salad Mix – 8 oz. You may order 2

·      Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – 1/8 lb

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

·      Tomatillos 1 lb. You may order 2

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

·      Beets- Red or Golden 1.5 lb. You may order 2

·      Collards – ¾ lb

·      Carrots, no tops – 3/4 lb 

·      Hot peppers, mixed – ½ pint.

·      Sweet Peppers – mostly green but turning.  1 lb.

·      Komatsuna (a mild mustard green) ¾ lb. You may order 2

·      Frisee – 1 head. You may order 2

·      Daikon Radishes – 1- 2 roots with greens. 

·      Dandelion – ½ lb

·      Swiss Chard – ¾ lb

·      White Turnips – ¾ lb

·      Watermelon Radishes – 1.5 lb

·      Radicchio, tall or round – 2 heads

·      Yams – 2 lb – We will be ordering these in from another local organic farm.  OR Broccoli ¾ lb

·      Spinach – ½ lb

·      Pac Choi – 2 heads

Extras: Because this week is new for us we will not be offering extras.    

What crops we think have a high energy this week:

·      Garlic

·      Komatsuna

·      Radishes

·      Turnips

·      Lettuce

·      Beets

·      Dandelion

·      Frisee

·      Radicchio

Recipes:

Komatsuna – a Japanese mustard green.  Also known as Japanese Spinach.  I don't find it to be similar to spinach but I do love this green. 

I love Komatsuna because it is very versatile.  The flavor is not as strong as many mustard greens.  I prefer to eat it raw or slightly wilted. 

If you have ever eaten a mustard green salad at a Vietnamese restaurant this is probably the green they use because it is so mildly flavored. 

·      Komatsuna is the new kale:  I love this blog from another farmer.  I can totally relate because due to insects we have not been able to keep up with the demand for kale: http://www.46northfarm.com/?p=2006

·      I love eggs so much because they are a quick protein and a great way to eat your greens: http://blog.charlottefresh.net/2012/06/04/fresh-recipe-komatsuna-souffled-omelette/

·      Here is a great curry recipe using the hakurei turnips we are offering this week as well: http://holcombfarm.org/simply-fresh-by-julie-wern-5

 I think it is great that all these recipes come from farms.  We farmers are working hard to grow food you might like and to keep food exciting for you.  Try this green out for something new this week. 

We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.

Thank you,

Erica