Winter CSA 18/19 - Week #1

Hello, Friends!  Welcome to December and to the first delivery of our Winter CSA!  The weather this past week has allowed us to continue to harvest from the fields, so this week's freshly harvested collards, leeks and romanesco broccoli join the root vegetables to make up a beautiful box!  Since delivery happens just once a month during the winter, it's more important than ever to store your veggies properly so they will last as long as possible. Our good friend, chef and blogger, Alexa Weitzman, has written a great article about Winter CSA full of tips and tricks to eat well all winter long!  http://sustainablepantry.com/2018/12/10/csa-winter-share-tips/

FIND MORE RECIPES FOR ALL THE VEG IN YOUR BOX!  If you need recipes that are not included in the newsletter, we have a massive recipe index on our website where you can search by vegetable here: http://goldenearthworm.com/cropswegrow/

Happy Holidays and we'll see you for the next delivery in the New Year!   
- XO Maggie, Farmer Matt & Crew

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON PRODUCE STORAGE -- Your root veggies will hold up for a full month AS LONG AS YOU STORE THEM PROPERLY.  Sweet potatoes don't like to be cold, so a cool spot is best.  The other root vegetables should be stored separately from the cabbage, but they can be stored together, also in airtight bags in the fridge.  What do I mean by airtight?  Ziplocks are good, as are regular plastic bags that are closed/sealed well at the top.  The idea is to lock in the moisture so that the veggies stay fresh and don't turn soft and limp.  Some members prefer glass containers to plastic bags - which is fine too, but just make sure that the lid seals properly.  The potatoes should be stored in a cool (not cold), DARK place.  Enjoy!  

What's in the share?

Carrots -  A perfectly sweet, crunchy, orange variety.  The kind that make you never want to eat any other type of carrot ever again. 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked or Raw. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

Romanesco Broccoli - This wild-looking veg is a member of the brassica family along with cauliflower and cabbage.  Cook it as you would cauliflower - steaming or roasting is best.  Quite a conversation starter at the dinner table! 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked/Raw. When to use: Within a week.

Collards - We harvested these baby collards from the fields this week.  They are sweeter now that they've frozen, but the leaf texture is more dense, so I recommend using them in soup or in a recipe where they have plenty of moisture and can cook down for a long time until tender. 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 5 days.

Butternut Squash - I was told that you could roast this whole in the oven without slicing in half.  Guess what?  It worked like a charm.  You're welcome!  350F in an oven (whole) on a baking dish. 
Storage: In a cool (NOT cold), dry spot. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

Sweet Potatoes - We've included a mix of orange and purple sweet potato varieties this week.  I would cook them separately.  The orange ones are what you'll be familiar with...the purple ones are waxy and sweet and are delicious in their own unique way!  Enjoy! 
Storage: In a cool, but not cold spot. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

Watermelon Radish - My favorite saying about these radishes....Boring on the outside, party on the inside!  I love these sliced raw with lemon, cilantro and garlic.  Also great roasted or added to soups. Super versatile!
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Green or Savoy Cabbage - Winter slaws with citrus or mango or pomegranate on your dinner table...yum!
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

Red Cabbage - Try a slaw or make your own pickled cabbage! 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

Leeks - A perfect base for soups or let them be the star of the show like in the braised leek recipe below!
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

BRIERMERE FARM APPLE SHARE - Jonagold Apples

Recipes!

Amazing Winter Cabbage Slaw
Braised Leeks with Lemon
 Red Cabbage Kraut with Garlic and Jalapeno (optional)
Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Thyme
Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes