CSA 2020 - Week #14

Welcome to September!  We're excited to put August behind us and start dreaming about fall harvests!  We have a pretty good box this week for everyone. We've supplemented with some very special Shishito Peppers from a friend's Certified Organic farm in the Hudson Valley.  Please see below for important cooking instructions!  And see my note on the VERY tender baby arugula.  You should eat that the first day you get it!  It will melt in your mouth.

This week's harvest

Red Tomatoes
If you see some cracks in the tomatoes, I'm afraid that that's due to the rain last week.  We hate to dump them in the compost, so if the fruit looks to be in otherwise good shape, we are sending out some that may have slight cracks.  Please just cut out it out and laugh at the irony.  First no rain, then rain and cracked tomatoes.  You can't win in farming! 
Storage: On the counter (NOT IN THE FRIDGE).  They are ripe when fully red.
Uses: Raw or Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Shishito Peppers
From our friends at Hepworth Farms.  These are special peppers- not spicy, but once in a while you may get a slightly hot one! THEY MUST BE GRILLED OR SAUTEED (OR BROILED) and are EATEN WHOLE.  Sorry for the caps, but if you don't prepare these properly, they're not very good.  Grill is easiest. Just wash and toss with olive oil.  Grill until they are blistered and browned on the skin.  Then sprinkle with salt (Maldon salt flakes are my favorite) and eat the whole thing (seeds and all) up to the stem. They are addictive, enjoy!
Storage: In the fridge.
Uses: Grilled whole
When to use: Within 5 days
What I'm making: Grilled Peppers!

Arugula
We harvested this by hand because it is so tender.  Wash very gently, spin dry and enjoy RIGHT AWAY!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 1 day
What I'm making: Arugula Salad!

Green Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
What I'm making: Steamed Beans with Butter and Salt

Cilantro
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days
What I'm making: Salsa!

Radishes
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the leaves.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
What I'm making: Sliced radishes with butter & salt

Fennel
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
What I'm making: Braised Fennel

Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
What I'm making: Cabbage Soup

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Yellow Peaches & Nectarines
FRUIT STORAGE: Remove peaches from bag and ripen on the counter, not touching.  Apples are picked ripe and ready to eat.
Store all ripe fruit in the fridge.

Recipes!

Blistered Shishito Peppers (an indoor alternative to just throwing them on the grill!)
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan
Simple Cabbage Soup
Mama Calla's BEST Roasted Tomato Cilantro Salsa