CSA 2018 - Week #13

Wow, what a beautiful box!  The contents of the share will change through the week as we rotate through the melons, finish up the cucumber harvest and see if the fields dry out enough to continue harvesting the potatoes.  (When we get a lot of rain, the tractors can't go in the fields.). 

A NOTE ON TOMATOES!  We harvest the tomatoes just a few days short of being fully ripe, which ensures that they can travel to you in good condition.  The red tomatoes will soften slightly and turn a deep red when they are fully ripe and ready to eat.  You should leave them in a dry place on the counter to ripen.  The cherry tomatoes will turn a deep, full yellow when ripe.  Never put tomatoes in the fridge unripe or they will lose their flavor and the flesh will turn mealy.  A tomato should only be refrigerated under emergency circumstances (kidding) when you cannot eat them right away when they turn ripe.  Enjoy!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES...

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes - Also known as tomato candy they're so sweet!  Ready to eat when fully yellow!
Storage: On the counter.  Uses: Raw/Cooked  When to use: Now!

Red Tomatoes - The secret to a good tomato is letting it ripen!  This variety needs to sit out on your counter (in a dry spot) until the flesh turns a deep red all over.  Then eat.  DO NOT REFRIGERATE TOMATOES!  It will cause the flesh to become mealy and the flavor to disappear.  
Storage: On the counter.  Uses: Raw/Cooked  When to use: When they are a deep red all over.

Kohlrabi - Crunchy and delicious in summer slaws and salads.  Please remember to peel and remove the skin.  
Storage: In airtight storage in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw/Cooked  When to use: Within 5 days.  

Yellow Watermelon - First red, now yellow!  These are fragile, so please handle them carefully. If they crack, you can still eat them as long as they smell good.  (You'll know.). Store them in your fridge!
Storage: In the refrigerator. Uses: Raw When to use: Within 5 days.  

Cucumber - This is THE END of the cucumbers for the season.  I hope you've been enjoying them as much as I have.  Cool cucumber salads will be missed until next year!
Storage: In airtight storage in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw  When to use: Within 5 days. 

Red Potatoes -  There's nothing better than freshly harvested potatoes.  Their water content is high so it takes less time for them to cook. I recommend using them to make a summer potato salad!
Storage: In a cool (not cold), dark place. Uses: Cooked When to use: Within 2 weeks. 

Green Beans - We're harvesting from a new planting.  Summer growing is tough, so it's nice to have these green beans to round out the shares.  
Storage: In airtight storage in the refrigerator. Uses: Cooked  When to use: Within 3 days.

RECIPES

Shredded Kohlrabi & Carrot Salad with Coriander-Mint Dressing
Potatoes and Green Beans with Salsa Verde
Braised Green Beans with Garlic & Tomato