CSA 2019 - Week #6
Rolando & the crew harvesting, cutting & cleaning garlic.
“A summer's sun is worth the having."
― French Proverb
The summer sun and warmth is really kicking the plants into full gear. It feels like everything is growing by inches (and feet) overnight! Now is the time when irrigation starts taking up a lot of our time. With such sandy soil, we need to irritate (water) our crops constantly to keep them alive. We have wells all over the farm which we pump from to access water deep underground. It's efficient, and necessary, but expensive. So after a few days of hot, dry weather we start to wish for a little rain. Farming in partnership with nature is always a delicate balance.
We need rain - not too much - at just the right time!
I'm excited for the cucumbers harvested for the shares this week! It's a sure sign that summer is in full swing! Enjoy!
Have a great week, friends!
XO Maggie for Farmer Matt, Kelly & the Crew
What's in the share?
Hardneck Garlic
Note: Garlic seed is extremely expensive and very hard to come by in quantity, so this garlic is worth more than gold! (Not kidding!) It may take up just a little space in your CSA box, but it's bursting with flavor and it's a rare treat, so savor every bit! Instead of harvesting and drying it, we're sending it out in the shares freshly harvested this week! I love to eat it when it's fresh, but if you prefer to let it dry, just leave it sitting out on your counter in a dry, well-ventilated space and the skin will turn papery and thin within a week or so. It's definitely easier to peel when it's dry, but there is nothing that compares with the flavor and juicy texture of fresh garlic. This is a hardneck variety, which is not available anywhere except directly from a farm like ours! All the garlic you buy in the store is a softneck variety.
Storage: In a dry location on the counter. Uses: Cooked or Raw When to use: Within a month.
Purple Kohlrabi
Now for the purple variety! Peel the skin with a sharp paring knife and enjoy raw in a slaw or sliced and dipped in hummus or pesto. Or roasted, grilled or in soup...
Storage: In an airtight container/bag in the refrigerator. Separate the roots from the leaves before storing. Uses: Raw/Cooked When to use: Within 5 days.
Romaine Lettuce
A great summer variety perfect for Caesar salads!
Storage: In an airtight container/bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw When to use: Within 7 days.
Cucumbers
Here they come! Get ready for lots of cukes in the coming weeks! Once the plants produce, they don't stop for a while. Nature knows when we need these cooling foods and now is the time!
Storage: In an airtight container/bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw in a salad. When to use: Within a week.
Toscano Kale
A sturdy variety that's great in soup or as kale chips!
Storage: In their container in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or cooked. When to use: Within 5 days.
Red Beets
Raw beet salad hits the spot this week.
Storage: In an airtight container/bag in the refrigerator. Separate the roots from the greens before storage. Uses: Raw or cooked. When to use: Within 5 days.
Zucchini
Just in time for your summer grilling! Slice lengthwise, toss with olive oil and salt & pepper and grill until tender - flipping half-way.
Storage: In an airtight container/bag in the refrigerator. Uses: Raw or cooked. When to use: Within 5 days.