Sunday, September 1, 2013

CSA 9/4

Field 1 fall planting of greens.



Hello CSA Members,

What a wonderful week of weather if you are like me and love hot weather.  I am soaking it up before it ends. 

This week is meat shares so don’t forget to look in the cooler for your meat order.

On Saturday the 14th at 6 pm we are hosting our annual CSA potluck.  You can arrive at 5 pm for a tour.  We are very interested in an RSVP this year.  If we do not have enough of a response then we may cancel the potluck.  Although, it is always a very good time it is often poorly attended and a lot of work for us.  We would like to have an RSVP by Sunday the 8th. 

We will be hosting the Rt 10 Organic Farm / Nursery Tour on Saturday September 7th.  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
·      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, Red 2 lb. 
·      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
·      Garlic Chives – 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
·      Sweet Peppers 1 lb mostly green but turning colors.   OR hot peppers ½ pint.
·      Winter Squash – 1 fruit.  Red Kuri, Delicata, Buttercup, Spaghetti, Blue Hokkaido or Butternut.
·      Lettuce- Romaine or Red Leaf or Butterhead or Summer Crisp– 1-2 heads.
·      Teenage Pac Choi 2 heads.
·      Kale – we will be ordering this from another local organic farm.  They say they will have it this week.
·      Beets- Red, Golden or Chioggia 1.5 lb OR Carrots (no tops) 1.5 lb
·      Spinach 8 oz OR Arugula 8 oz


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. 
·      Mint 1/8 oz

What crops we think have a high energy this week:
·      Garlic
·      Pac Choi
·      Marjoram
·      Mint
·      Tomatoes
·      Salad Mix
·      Lettuce
·      Winter Squash
·      Tomatillos
·      Peppers
·      Beets

Recipes:

Pac Choi
We choose to grow the smaller version of this popular Asian green because the larger one is a very big commitment for a small family.  Although I must say, it is wonderful when blanched and then frozen.   Pac choi is very high in Vitamin A and calcium.  I just love the crunch in salads or lightly cooked.  Pac Choi is also known as “Chinese Celery.”

·      If I were choosing a share this week I would get garlic, pac choi, tomatoes, peppers, chives, tomatillos and winter squash and I would make a brothy soup leaving all the vegetables very chunky.  I know it is hot out but a brothy soup can really cool you down and nourish you. 
·      A recipe from our friends as Quiet Creek farm with pac choi and winter squash: http://www.quietcreekfarmcsa.com/recipe/bok-choy-pac-choi-with-apples
·      And another great CSA recipe: http://cbf.typepad.com/clagett_farm/bok-choy-recipes/



Have a great week!
Thank you,
Erica

Sunday, August 25, 2013

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 7th.  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
·       
·       
Have a great week!
Thank you,
Erica

Sunday, August 18, 2013

CSA 8/21


Hello CSA Members,

We are officially half way through the season.  The CSA ends October 30th.
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 7th.  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