CSA 2014 - Week #11

FARMER Q&A

Some of you have been asking questions about the shares these past few weeks and I thought it would be good to re-post my answers here!  

CSA Member: Where are all the other greens like spinach, kale and collards that I love so much?  Why do we keep getting Swiss Chard? 
Farmers: Most greens don't grow well in the heat of the summer.  Swiss Chard is pretty much the only cooking green that we can grow in July and August.  Plenty of other greens are planted for harvest when it cools down a bit in September, October and November. 

CSA Member: What's up with all the lettuce and onions? 
Farmers: Did you notice that there is no more lettuce in the shares this week?  I'm sure we'll get some complaints about that too!  Look, folks, we can't make everyone happy.  Most people want to make salads during the week, so we do our best to include a salad green of some sort (lettuce, arugula, lettuce mix, etc.) in the shares each week.  Batavian and Romaine lettuces happen to grow well in the summer heat, so that's why you've been getting them for the past few weeks.  Onions grow well in the summer too and we have planted several different varieties for you to try. If you cook a lot, you know you can't possibly get enough onions.  We understand that if you're trying to get through the onions and you don't cook much, it may be a struggle.  Hey, you can always give them away to your friend or neighbor. Or better yet, make a caramelized onion tart (see recipe section) and you'll be the star at your next summer potluck! 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Green Bell Peppers are in!  I usually use my first to make a big batch of gazpacho with the tomatoes and onions.  Great for dinner on a hot summer night!  Fennel is delicious sliced thinly in a salad or perhaps roasted up with the potatoes - what a great idea!  The Potato harvest continues this week with more red varieties.  The Tomatoes are coming in well now too.  You'll be getting more over the coming weeks. Swiss Chard and beautiful Cipollini Onions round out the share.  Bon appetit!

 

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

August 12, 13, 14 & 15

Green Bell Pepper - 1 piece
Fennel - 1 bunch
Cipollini Onions - 1 bunch
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Red Tomatoes - 2-3 pieces
Red Potatoes - 4 lbs!

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Pepper, Fennel, Onions, Swiss Chard
On the counter (for a few days)...
Tomatoes
In a cool, dark place (for up to a week)...
Potatoes

RECIPES

• Balsamic Glazed Sweet & Sour Cipollini Onions - Smitten Kitchen
• Gazpacho
• Swiss Chard & Potatoes
• Crash Hot Potatoes - The Pioneer Woman
• Shaved Fennel Salad - 101 Cookbooks
• Caramelized Onion & Gruyere Tart
 

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