Share Notes June 24th and 26th
CSA Share Notes:
Welcome to your first week of the Summer CSA season! As our summer crops begin to mature, we are only getting a small amount of fruits on the squash, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers each harvest day, so we’re spreading these crops around to everyone in pretty small amounts until we have more. But the plants are growing really well and putting on lots and of flowers which means more fruits are on their way in the coming weeks. The sungold cherry tomatoes are completely covered in flowers and have a few green fruits on them, so it’s possible we could have a few ready next week, then the Romas typically ripen next, then the nice big slicers. We can’t wait for tomatoes. Abundance is coming!
Here’s this week’s vegetable line up:
- Zucchini— A couple of Zuchs for everyone, sorted by size so that the large shares are getting the most and minis are getting the least. We have two different types, Tigris and Black summer that you’ll get to try throughout the summer. Both delicious.
- Summer Squash— Same as above. We also have two types you might have received, crook neck yellow squash, and Zephyr, which is half lime green, half yellow, and 100% delicious. Mini shares also received one of our cute pattypan squash to try. These are pretty adorable squash.
- Cucumbers— Mostly our pickling variety is ready right now, and we had enough to give everyone a couple of cukes. More on the way!
- Basil—petite bunches of our sweet, large leaved Genovese basil. This is great in a fresh cucumber salad or a potato salad, or atop pasta primavera with your squash, or wilted into a Thai curry. **READ STORAGE TIPS BELOW!**
- Kale/Collard—Large and regular shares received Curly kale, and mini shares received a bunch of collards. These greens are wonderful sauteed down and mixed into a veggie egg scramble, or prepared as a side dish with onion, garlic and bacon- that’s Southern style. They’re excellent cooked into a pot of beans, served up with corn bread, too.
- Cabbage—A lovely green Tendersweet cabbage to each large share.
- Potatoes—between 1-3# of our White Kennebec potatoes (the weight you received depends on your share size). These are excellent for potato salads and french fries (we oven roast them with a little avocado oil and kosher salt, rather than fry them)
- Onions— Yellow and reds. More coming your way in the weeks to come! We hope we’ve grown enough to ensure you get them in your box each week of the Summer CSA.
- Leeks—man, these guys have not enjoyed the heat the past two weeks! You’ll notice the leaves are yellowing a bit, so just use the fresh, healthy white stems that will still be tender and have that nice mild oniony flavor.
Veggie Storage tips:
Basil should never be below 50 degrees or it will turn black so *do not store it in the fridge.* It prefers to be in a nice cool spot in your kitchen, away from the sun, stem down in a fresh glass of water. Trim the stems and refresh the water every other day or so, and your basil will last at least a week or more. If it’s wilty when you receive it, fully submerge it in a sink of cold water for an hour or two to help it perk up, then trim the stems before putting it in a glass of water.
All your kale, leeks, cabbage, squash, zucchini, and cukes will keep longest stored in the fridge sealed up in produce bags. Potatoes and onions prefer a dry, room temperature spot, away from direct light (but don’t put your potatoes in the complete dark or they’ll sprout!). Everything will need a thorough washing before cooking, but leave the dirt on until you’re ready to use them to prevent spoilage.
We’d love to hear stories and recipes of your culinary adventures this week. Send us a note or post a comment of how you’ve used your CSA share.
Your farmers, Jess & Justin
Regular Share
Regular Share top left to right: Genovese basil, yellow and Zephyr squash, zucchinis, cucumbers, and Curly kale (2nd row) leeks, red and yellow onions, and White Kennebec potatoes.
