CSA 2017 - Week #16
The mighty leek, the first harvest of winter squash...the tastes of fall are here! Please remember that the winter squash are for eating, not just for decoration! I'll always remember visiting a friend (and CSA member) around Halloween one year and seeing all of the winter squash we had distributed over the course of a few months sitting on her front porch. She had no idea she could eat it. (Apparently she never read the newsletter!) Please eat the acorn squash this week. It's not meant for storage and it won't last long on the counter. Enjoy!
SAVE THE DATE!
Bring your family and friends to visit the farm on Sunday, October 15th from 11am-3pm. You'll have an opportunity to tour the fields, learn how we grow your food, watch cooking demonstration, enjoy kids' activities and more! More details to come...
JOIN THE CSA MEMBER GROUP! Please share your Recipes, Cooking Tips & other ideas for getting the most out of your CSA on our FACEBOOK CSA MEMBERS PAGE! (It's a private group.)
This week in the shares...
Acorn Squash - As I mentioned above, these winter squash are for eating! You can keep them on your counter for about a week as decoration -- no longer than that! They are not the storage variety, so they will deteriorate in quality after a little while. Try the tutorial below for roasted acorn squash. Don't be afraid-- they're pretty easy to cut in half with a large, sharp knife once you remove the stem. They are delicious roasted. Try it!
Storage: On the counter. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within a week
Leeks - Leeks are related to onions, shallots and scallions. They look like large scallions and you can eat all of the white parts and use the green upper stem in stock. How to prepare leeks -- Step-by-step photo tutorial from David Lebovitz.
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within a week.
Cherry OR Red Tomatoes - The tomato season will be wrapping up in the next few weeks. Until then, we'll be rotating cherries and beefsteak tomatoes throughout the groups.
Storage: On the counter. Uses: Raw/Cooked. When to use: Now!
Romaine Lettuce - This sturdy lettuce will hold its own with chopped veggies and a creamy dressing.
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw. When to use: Within 5 days
Cilantro - So good in fresh salsa, soups, cilantro pesto...I've been waiting all summer for this second planting to come in.
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw/Cooked. When to use: Within 3 days.
Green Long Peppers - Wonderful in stir-fries. They also freeze easily. Chop and store in a ziplock bag in your freezer.
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw/Cooked. When to use: Within a week
FRUIT SHARE
Please be sure to remove the fruit from the bag immediately when you get them home. They should ripen sitting out on a platter or on a dry dish cloth.
Please remember just one bag per fruit share member.
1 mixed bag of Gala Apples & Bartlett Pears (for fruit share members ONLY)
Recipes
Roasted Acorn Squash - with photo tutorial!
Braised Leeks with Parmesan
Cilantro Pesto
Simple Leek & Potato Soup