Sunday, August 31, 2014

CSA 9/3

Fabulous Farm Girl's Dakota and Sophie.

Hello CSA Members,

This Saturday September 6th we are hosting the 6th annual Rt. 10 Organic Grower’s / Nursery Tour.  This event is in conjunction with Sugarbush Nursery and King’s Herb Nook.  Tours are at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.  We will also be doing a Salsa tasting and demo.  For more information see our Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/685841131496519/
We would love to see you all come out with your families and see the farm.  Did I mention this event is free and great for the whole family?

Finally today we got some much-needed rain.  The fall crops are coming along fabulously but needed a bit of extra moisture.  I am not a fan of rain because we are blessed with adequate Spring Water for irrigating.  However, at some point you cannot substitute the beauty of rain.
The tomatoes have pretty much died out.  They have finally succumbed to disease.  We will have a bit for this weekends Salsa demo but that is pretty much it.  It was a good run and they sure were sweet this year.  Onto the bounty of the fall harvest.  Fall is my favorite time of year for eating!!!!!!!!!!!

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.
·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Curly.  You may order 2.
·      Red Leaf Lettuce or Romaine or Summer Crisp– 2 heads. You may order 2.
·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 2.
·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 3.
·      Carrots, Mixed Colors– 1 lb. (without greens.) You may order 2.
·      Cabbage, Green – 1 small head or 3 mini. You may order 2.
·      Savoy, Cabbage– 1 head. You may order 2.
·      Herbs:  You may choose 2 of these as one “item.”
o   Chives – 2 oz
o   Marjoram – 2 oz
o   Garlic chive – 2 oz
o   Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz.
·      Potato – Yukon Gold, Red Gold or Blue Gold – 2 lb. You may order 2.
·      Pepper, Hot – ½ lb– mixed varieties. 
·      Pepper, Sweet – 1 lb - Long or Bell Shaped. (If you leave them in the bags in a warm space they will fully turn colors in a few days.). You may order 2.
·      Salad Mix – 7 oz
·      Winter Squash – 1 fruit. – Spaghetti or Buttercup or Red Kuri. You may order 2.
·      Summer Squash – Patty Pan – 1.5 lb you may order 2.
·      Beans – Italian Pole Beans or Green Beans ¾ lb
·      Boc Choi – Teenage – ¾ lb
·      Malabar “Spinach”- 8 oz. 
·      Dandelion – 8 oz. You may order 2.
·      Fresh Cut Flowers – including zinnias and sunflowers. 

Extras:   You must order “Extras.”
·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 2.
·      Lettuce, Romaine – 2 heads.  You must order lettuce in your original order to get this extra. 

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:
·      Chard
·      Lettuce
·      Parsley
·      Carrot
·      Potatoes
·      Peppers
·      Salad Mix
·      Dandelion
·      Malabar Spinach
·      Beans
·      Summer Squash – Patty Pan


Recipes:
Malabar Spinach
I am fond of using this space to advertise our more unique crops.  If you were a member last year you may have tried our Malabar Spinach.  Last year was the first year I tried growing this fabulous green.  I fell in love. 
It is a very, very distant relative of spinach so don’t be fooled by the name.  It is also known as Indian Spinach or New Zealand Spinach.  It is the only spinach that will grow in hot climates.  It grows on a vine and has small black berries.  The color and leaf shape are slightly similar to spinach.  I find the flavor to be sweeter.  And it has more calcium than regular spinach. 
However, the big difference comes in the texture.  I have tried to be creative in coming up with an appetizing adjective.  Succulent, or mucilaginous, sometimes it is referred to as slimy.  Whatever you call it, it is great!!!!
You can eat it raw.  I recommend chopping it very fine.  It is fabulous cooked as a substitute for traditional spinach.  And in fact if you have ever eaten Indian food this is the spinach that is traditionally used in their dishes.  Enjoy!!!!

·      Vietnamese Malabar Spinach Soup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0m3WJNp8yU
·      And a few more fun things including a salad and a fritattaL: http://www.rosecreekfarms.com/Ingredients/MalabarSpinach.htm

Enjoy!

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

Sunday, August 24, 2014

CSA 8/27

Hello CSA Members,

Our Annual CSA Potluck is Saturday September 13th at 4 pm.  Mark it on your calendars!  We would love to have an RSVP if you have not already told us.  It would be good to know how many chairs we would need.  We will provide beverages and seating.  Feel free to bring your own plates, cups and flatware.  (We will have extras if you forget.)  The tour starts at 4:30.  Children are welcome and encouraged. 
Can’t make it to the potluck?  Are you interested in a farm tour?  On Saturday September 6th we are hosting the 6th annual Rt. 10 Organic Grower’s / Nursery Tour.  This event is in conjunction with Sugarbush Nursery and King’s Herb Nook.  Tours are at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.  We will also be doing a Salsa tasting and demo.  For more information see our Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/685841131496519/

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.
·      Kale –3/4 lb  - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly.  You may order 3.
·      Red Leaf Lettuce or Romaine– 2 heads.
·      Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 2.
·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 3.
·      Cucumbers (Standard) – 2.5 lb. You may order 2.
·      Carrots, Mixed Colors– 1 lb. (without greens.) You may order 2.
·      Cabbage, Green – 1 small head or 3 mini
·      Savoy, Cabbage– 1 head.
·      Purslane – 3/4 lb
·      Tomato – 2 lb – mixed colors and sizes. You may order 3.
·      Herbs:  You may choose 2 of these as one “item.”
o   Chives – 2 oz
o   Marjoram – 2 oz
o   Garlic chive – 2 oz
o   Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz.
·      Potato – Yukon Gold, Red Gold or Blue Gold – 2 lb. You may order 2.
·      Pepper, Hot – ½ lb– mixed varieties. 
·      Pepper, Sweet – 1 lb - Long or Bell Shaped. (If you leave them in the bags in a warm space they will fully turn colors in a few days.)
·      Salad Mix – 7 oz
·      Winter Squash – 1 fruit. – Spaghetti or Buttercup or Red Kuri. 
·      Summer Squash – 1.5 lb (green or yellow zucchini or patty pan squash)
·      Beans – Italian Pole Beans or Green Beans ¾ lb
·      Boc Choi – Teenage – ¾ lb

Extras:   You must order “Extras.”
·      Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 2.
·      Cucumbers (Standard) – 2.5 lb. You may order 2.

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:
·      Chard
·      Lettuce
·      Cucumber
·      Parsley
·      Cabbage
·      Tomatoes
·      Carrot
·      Herbs
·      Potatoes
·      Peppers
·      Salad Mix
·      Dandelion


Recipes:
Winter Squash
Yum!  Winter Squash is the essence of fall.  And in case you haven’t noticed fall started a few weeks ago this year.  We grow several varieties of winter squash Spaghetti, Red Kuri, Buttercup, Hokkaido, Sweet Dumpling, Delicata, and Butternut.  Some varieties did better than others this year.  Squash is very difficult for us to grow due to heavy insect pressure. Squash bugs seem to damage our crop each year.  The only thing we have found to even slightly control them is a spray called pyrethrum.  However, this spray will kill everything else and when it is time to spray is when the crop is buzzing with bees.  So in the end I can’t bring myself to spray the crop and I hope for the best.  This year we faired pretty well.  Not all of the squash are completely ready yet but we do have some wonderful fruits for you to start with: Spaghetti, Red Kuri and Buttercup (kabocha). 
We highly recommend that these squash be stored in your refrigerator. 
·      Saveur has a lot of squash ideas: http://www.saveur.com/article/-/Winter-Squash-Recipes
·       

Enjoy!

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