Winter CSA 18/19 - Week #4

In like a lion...  With this week's final delivery, we bid farewell to the winter share, and hopefully to winter all together!  Enjoy this last week of root veggies and all their deep earth energy that has been stored up to keep us well fed.  New life is emerging in our greenhouses...the first germinations of our first seedings of the 2019 season.  Lettuce, kale, onions... all for the first harvests in June!  We hope you'll renew for the 2019 season if you haven't done so already.  Please head on over to our website for an application form.  www.goldenearthworm.com

Here's to greener days ahead! 
Maggie, Farmer Matt & Crew

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/

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.  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/

What's in the share?

Red Beets - I love beets every way - boiled (or roasted) and sliced as a side dish, grated raw in a salad with lemon juice and olive oil, juiced or sliced in salads. 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Golden Beets - Lovely beet flavor with a rich, golden color!
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Yellow Potatoes - These are a waxy variety - perfect for roasting.  My trick to roasting potatoes is to roast with a top on the baking dish.  Foil works well too.  The point is to steam the potatoes.  Once tender, remove the top and continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes until nicely browned. 
Storage: In an cool (not cold) space. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Rutabaga - Also known as a Swede or a yellow turnip, rutabagas have a sweet, earthy flavor that is excellent roasted.  These roast quickly when cut into slices or fries, tossed in olive oil and salt and roasted on a cookie sheet in a hot oven. 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Watermelon Radish - My favorite saying about these radishes....Boring on the outside, party on the inside!  Try roasting them if you haven't already.  They are excellent! 
Storage: In an airtight (plastic) bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or Cooked. When to use: Within 3 weeks.

Sweet Potatoes - A staple in our house.  I bake them whenever my oven is on and then they're ready to go! 
Storage: In a cool, but not cold spot. Uses: Cooked. When to use: Within 2 weeks.

BRIERMERE FARM APPLE SHARE - Granny Smith Apples

Recipes!

Cream of Rutabaga Soup
Curried Beet Soup with Chickpeas
Watermelon Radish, Orange & Goat Cheese Salad