CSA 7/2

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Hello CSA Members,

Happy 4^th of July week to you all.  We will have a regular delivery schedule for the next 2 weeks.  It is always hard to explain to the lettuce that it is a holiday so could you wait 1 more week to get picked.  They don’t want to hear it. 

This past week at the farm may have broken a record for work we were able to accomplish.  Our crew has really come together this year.  We have a lot of different employees this year.  It is really fun to see the interactions and the learning-taking place between everyone.  They are all meeting for the first time in rows of very weedy carrots, jungles of tomato plants or over the gruesome job of squishing potato beetles.  There is a lot of laughter going on and it is music to my ears.  I am grateful for all of them.  I hope you can taste their efforts and positive attitudes in your produce. 

We will try to post pictures on the blog of the crew as the season goes on. 

We will post the weekly email on our blog: http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your box.  It may help to set an alarm on your phone.  At the West Reading site we have a family that comes at 9 pm to clean up the porch.  I had to do this so that I can get some sleep.  I am crazy and I would worry about those boxes all night.  Sorry.

Help:

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganicscsa@gmail.com or call 484-955-1098.  I also am available to receive text messages at this phone number.

When:

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 12 am.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.  This is a new time this year in order to have our pack house run a bit smoother. 

Notes about ordering:

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

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.    

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 (or 3) than this counts as 2 (or 3) of your items.  If it does not state “You may order 2” behind the item than you can only order 1 of this item. 

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

·      If you see “OR” in an item list you can order one or the other from this list. 

·      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:

 Choose 8 items from this list for full shares or 5 items for half shares.

·       Salad Mix – 7 oz.

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You may order 3.

·      Red leaf or Butter head Lettuce – 2 heads (These could be large.  If you would like to have 1 large head instead of 2 please let us know.)  You may order 2.

·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 2.

·      Snow Peas – Green– 1 / 2 lb. You may order 2.

·      Arugula – 7 oz

·      Marjoram, Dill, and Cilantro – 1.5 oz of each.

·      Basil, Oregano and Garlic Chives - 1.5 oz of each. You may order 2.

·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 2.

·      Beets – Red or Chioggia – 1.5 lb

·      Radicchio – Tall or round – 2 heads

·      Fennel – 1 bulb

·      Braising Mix – ¾ lb (This is essentially large spicy mix.  Great for salads or lightly sautéing.

·      Flowers – small bouquet of zinnias and other flowers.

·      Baby Broccoli – ¾ lb OR Summer Squash – 1 lb (This could be green or yellow zucchini, patty pan squash or yellow crookneck squash.)

·      Carrots, Orange – 1 lb OR Green Beans – ¾ lb

Extras:   You must order “Extras.”

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You must order kale in your regular order and this will be an additional kale. 

·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You must order chard in your regular order and this will be an additional chard.

·      Marjoram – 2 oz.

High Energy:

As a farmer, foodie and vegetable lover I am always interested in the “energetics” of food.  Essentially this means when a vegetable is at its “peak.”  If you are stuck in your ways but want to try something new I highly recommend choosing something new from this list.  Here are the foods at their highest energy level this week:

·      Salad Mix

·      Herbs

·      Kale

·      Chard

·      Lettuce

·      Arugula

·      Fennel

·      Beets

Recipes:

Lettuce

I am sure you are wondering why I have chosen to highlight lettuce this week.  Doesn’t everyone know what to do with lettuce?  Yes, I am sure you do but it is sooo beautiful right now.  We grow different varieties throughout the season depending on the weather.  Certain varieties tolerate the heat better than others.  Butter head lettuce for instance does not like excessive heat and this week or next will be the last time we offer it until the fall.  It is luscious right now.  We grow Romaine all season but this weeks selection was gobbled up by a groundhog last week.  We grow a crisp Red Leaf as well.  Last year Red Leaf was all the rage due to the higher antioxidant levels in the red coloring of the leaves.

·      Here are a lot of great ideas for lettuce cups: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/spring-lettuce-recipes_n_1503838.html#s957287&title=Spicy_AsianChickenSalad_Lettuce

·      Lettuce Soup: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/lettuce-soup-recipe2.html

·      Zucchini and Braised Lettuce Tart: http://www.aminglingoftastes.com/2007/10/zucchini-and-braised-lettuce-tart-with.html

·      Lettuce Stir Fry: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Stir-Fried-Garlic-Lettuce-233211

·      I have realized in the new local food movement that when have too much of something you just turn it into Pesto.  So here it is Lettuce Pesto: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roast-beef-with-butter-lettuce-pesto

·       

Enjoy!

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

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 6/25

Hello CSA Members,

What a beautiful week of weather.

A note about the bread share.  Sorry I didn’t know ahead of time about Anna’s vacation.  This did make things confusing for some of you.  If you did not pick up your bread in West Reading I did store it in my freezer and I will put it out for you on Wednesday.

Things are growing very well at the farm.  With my husband Mike doing the market I am getting more time in the field and loving it.  It is looking like a good season. 

One of our members made a suggestion that you can take the label off your box and put it on your refrigerator.  That way you remember what you received that week.  Thanks Kim and Mike and Greta!

We will post the weekly email on our blog: http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

Don’t forget to pick up your box.  It may help to set an alarm on your phone.  At the West Reading site we have a family that comes at 9 pm to clean up the porch.  I had to do this so that I can get some sleep.  I am crazy and I would worry about those boxes all night.  Sorry.

Help:

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.

When:

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 12 am.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.  This is a new time this year in order to have our pack house run a bit smoother. 

Notes about ordering:

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

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.    

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 (or 3) than this counts as 2 (or 3) of your items.  If it does not state “You may order 2” behind the item than you can only order 1 of this item. 

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

·      If you see “OR” in an item list you can order one or the other from this list. 

·      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:

 Choose 8 items from this list for full shares or 5 items for half shares.

·       Salad Mix – 7 oz. You may order 2.

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You may order 3.

·      Boc Choi  (Toddler size) – 2 heads. You may order 2.

·      Red leaf, Butter head or Romaine Lettuce – 2 small heads. You may order 2.

·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 2.

·      Snow Peas – Green– 1 / 2 lb. You may order 2.

·      Arugula – 7 oz

·      Marjoram – 2 oz. You may order 2.

·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 2.

·      Mint – 2 oz. You may order 2.

·      Garlic Chives– 2 oz

·      Broccoli – ¾ lb – There is a Giant Disclaimer to this item.  Our Broccoli isn’t doing so well so we are planning to purchase broccoli from a local, wonderful organic farm.  We are pretty sure that they will have broccoli this week but won’t know for sure until Monday.  So please choose an alternative to broccoli when you order.  We will do our best.  Sorry we have no guarantees. 

·      Beets – Red or Chioggia – 1.5 lb

·      Radicchio – Tall or round – 2 heads

Extras:   You must order “Extras.”

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You must order kale in your regular order and this will be an additional kale. 

·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You must order chard in your regular order and this will be an additional chard.

·      Marjoram – 2 oz.

High Energy:

As a farmer, foodie and vegetable lover I am always interested in the “energetics” of food.  Essentially this means when a vegetable is at its “peak.”  If you are stuck in your ways but want to try something new I highly recommend choosing something new from this list.  Here are the foods at their highest energy level this week:

·      Salad Mix

·      Herbs

·      Kale

·      Chard

·      Lettuce

·      Arugula

·      Radicchio

·      Boc Choi

·      Beets

Recipes:

Boc Choi

Or call it Pak Choy or Pac Choi, or Bok Choi.  However you call it, it is delicious.  The variety we grow is smaller than the traditional variety.  We find that most of our customers are small families and cannot commit to a whole large head.  So we give you 2 small heads or many baby heads.  Boc Choi is also known as Chinese Celery and can be used just celery in most recipes.  I prefer to not cook it too long to eat it raw.  I like the crunch!  Boc choi is very high in vitamin A and calcium. 

·      To grill the Boc choi it does help to have a grill basket: Grilled Boc Choi with Miso butter: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Baby-Bok-Choy-with-Miso-Butter-51227010

·      Boc Choi salad: http://www.marthastewart.com/316254/bok-choy-salad

·      Who doesn’t love Asian Noodle Soup? http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/spicy-shrimp-and-bok-choy-noodle-bowl-recipe.html

·      Fish Tacos with Boc choi slaw!!!  I can’t wait to try this: https://www.fitnessaccount.com/feed/recipes/adrienne-s-grilled-fish-tacos-with-bok-choy-slaw

Enjoy!

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

Thank you,

Erica

CSA 6/18

Hello CSA Members,

A very Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there.  We hope you are having a lovely day.

Oh how I love summer.  If you know me you know I love heat.  I even love humidity.  And after the past winter I love it all.  This past week brought lots of rain and soggy strawberries.  Lots of mud and lots of weeds.  But who cares it is not SNOW!!!!

The garden is exploding right now and we are so busy trying to keep it all together.  Mostly pulling weeds but also: pruning and trellising tomatoes, staking peppers and eggplants, fertilizing, killing potato beetles, seeding fall crops.  It is never a dull moment at the farm and we are all pretty much running from dawn till dusk.  I love it!!!!

Thank you so much for letting us do what we love to do. 

This week will be an egg share delivery week:  Look for your eggs in West Reading in the cardboard box on the bench.

We will post the weekly email on our blog: http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/

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

Help:

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.

When:

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 12 am.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.  This is a new time this year in order to have our pack house run a bit smoother. 

Notes about ordering:

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

·      You may order from the list below.  If you do not choose to order we will select a well-rounded box for you.    

·      If it states behind the item that you may order 2 (or 3) than this counts as 2 (or 3) of your items.  If it does not state “You may order 2” behind the item than you can only order 1 of this item.  

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

·      If you see “OR” in an item list you can order one or the other from this list. 

·      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:

 Choose 8 items from this list for full shares or 5 items for half shares.

·       Salad Mix – 7 oz. You may order 2.

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You may order 3.

·      Strawberries – 1 pint

·      Baby Boc Choi – ½ lb – 3-4 heads.

·      Red leaf, Butter head or Romaine Lettuce – 2 small heads. You may order 2.

·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 2.

·      Snow Peas – Green or purple – 1 pint

·      Garlic Scapes – ¼ lb

·      Turnips, White – ¾ lb

·      Spicy Mix – 7 oz

·      Arugula – 7 oz

·      Marjoram – 2 oz. You may order 2.

·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz

·      Cilantro – 2 oz

·      Dill – 2 oz

·      Broccoli – ¾ lb – There is a Giant Disclaimer to this item.  Our Broccoli isn’t doing so well so we are planning to purchase broccoli from a local, wonderful organic farm.  We are pretty sure that they will have broccoli this week but won’t know for sure until Monday.  So please choose an alternative to broccoli when you order.  We will do our best.  Sorry we have no guarantees. 

Extras:   You must order “Extras.”

·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You must order kale in your regular order and this will be an additional kale. 

High Energy:

As a farmer, foodie and vegetable lover I am always interested in the “energetics” of food.  Essentially this means when a vegetable is at its “peak.”  If you are stuck in your ways but want to try something new I highly recommend choosing something new from this list.  Here are the foods at their highest energy level this week:

·      Salad Mix

·      Peas

·      Herbs

·      Kale

·      Chard

·      Lettuce

·      Arugula

·      Spicy Mix

Recipes:

Garlic Scapes

Here is an item that has become very trendy with the farmer’s market scene.  In the last 2 years we have not been able to keep them on the table.  Before anyone knew how wonderful they were most farmers neglected them.  Now we see that they are a bonus to our garlic crop. 

Garlic Scapes are the flower shoot of the garlic plant.  They need to be removed in order to let the garlic plant form the bulb.  They are an entity all their own.  If we did not have the supermarket we would all be desperate for garlic right now.  Most stored garlic has dried up by April or May.  So garlic Scapes are the first tastes of garlic for the season.  They are a strange thing to look at but have a mild delightful garlic taste.  They are extremely versatile in cooking and I have heard in flower arrangements as well.  Here are some of my favorite ways to eat them:

·      Don’t throw any part of the scape away.  You can eat the whole thing!

·      My favorite: Roasted Garlic Scapes: http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/recipe/roasted-garlic-scapes

·      Pickled Garlic Scapes: http://localfoods.about.com/od/condiments/r/Pickled-Garlic-Scapes.htm

·      Garlic Scape Pesto (This recipe is on Epicurious but comes from local chef / celebrity Ian Knauer): http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pasta-with-Garlic-Scape-Pesto-395769

·      They can be substituted for garlic in any recipe.

·      They are great chopped up and added to salad dressings.

·      They are awesome on the grill. 

Enjoy!

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

Thank you,

Erica