NOTES ON THE SHARE

We've been away for a few days(!) and I'm so happy to be back on the farm, back in my kitchen, and back to cooking up our beautiful bounty.  My oven will be in full swing this week roasting up the gorgeous red peppers and the first of the winter squash! And of course, more roasted tomatoes for the freezer... September, I love you!!! 

*****SAVE THE DATE!*****
Join us for our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 19th.  More details to come!

More plum tomatoes available this week too....

PLUM TOMATOES BY THE CASE!
Every year we grow extra plum (Roma) tomatoes to sell by the case.  These are perfect for making sauce and canning.  We are offering them for pick-up...

Friday (9/12) - Jamesport
Saturday (9/13) - Jamesport, Islip or Port Washington Farmers' Markets
Sunday (9/14) - Huntington Farmers' Market

Orders cannot be delivered to CSA pick-up locations.  You must choose to pick up at one of the locations (and days) listed above.

Each 20lb box is $35.  Orders must be e-mailed to us at info@goldenearthworm.com by Wednesday, September 3rd at 9am.  Payment can be made via Paypal or by cash or check at pick-up.

If you are interested in ordering, please e-mail us with the following information:
- Name
- Requested pick-up location and day (Jamesport, Islip, Port Washington or Huntington)
- Number of boxes
- Preferred method of payment (Paypal, Cash or Check upon pick-up)

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

September 9, 10, 11 & 12

Yellow Potatoes - 1 quart
Spaghetti OR Acorn Squash - 1 piece
Red Onions - 1 quart
Zucchini - 4 pieces
Green Pepper - 2 pieces
Red Long Pepper - 2 pieces
Red & Plum Tomatoes - 16 pieces

*The contents of the share may change through the week.

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Zucchini, Peppers
On the counter (for a few days)...
Tomatoes, Onions,
In a cool, dark place...
Potatoes, Winter Squash (eat within a week!)

FRUIT SHARE

Peaches - 1 bag
Bartlett Pears - 1 bag

FRUIT STORAGE TIPS
"The best way to ripen the fruit is to take it out of the plastic bag and let the condensation dry off so the moisture doesn't encourage any spoilage. As soon as it is ripe, eat it right away or put it in the fridge."  - Farmer Clark, Briermere Farms

RECIPES

Some recipes from around the web this week...

• Roasted Red Peppers - Ina Garten
• Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• Acorn Squash Recipes...
 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Please note that your gorgeous yellow watermelon (THANK YOU Farmer James!) needs to be refrigerated!  Be sure to pop it in the fridge as soon as you get it home. 

PLUM TOMATOES BY THE CASE!
Every year we grow extra plum (Roma) tomatoes to sell by the case.  These are perfect for making sauce and canning.  We are offering them for pick-up...

Friday (9/5) - Jamesport
Saturday (9/6) - Jamesport, Islip or Port Washington Farmers' Markets
Sunday (9/7) - Huntington Farmers' Market

Orders cannot be delivered to CSA pick-up locations.  You must choose to pick up at one of the locations (and days) listed above.

Each 20lb box is $35.  Orders must be e-mailed to us at info@goldenearthworm.com by Wednesday, September 3rd at 9am.  Payment can be made via Paypal or by cash or check at pick-up.

If you are interested in ordering, please e-mail us with the following information:
- Name
- Requested pick-up location and day (Jamesport, Islip, Port Washington or Huntington)
- Number of boxes
- Preferred method of payment (Paypal, Cash or Check upon pick-up)

SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 19th.  More details to come!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

September 2, 3 4 & 5

Yellow Watermelon - 1 piece
Scallions - 1 bunch
Garlic - 2 pieces
Green Bell Pepper - 1 piece
Red Tomatoes - 12 pieces
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag

*The contents of the share may change through the week.

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Watermelon
In a bag in the fridge...
Scallions, Peppers
On the counter (for a few days)...
Tomatoes, Garlic

FRUIT SHARE

Peaches - 1 bag
Bartlett Pears - 1 bag

FRUIT STORAGE TIPS
"The best way to ripen the fruit is to take it out of the plastic bag and let the condensation dry off so the moisture doesn't encourage any spoilage. As soon as it is ripe, eat it right away or put it in the fridge."  - Farmer Clark, Briermere Farms

RECIPES

Some recipes from around the web this week...

• Grilled Scallions with Lemon
• Couscous Stuffed Tomatoes
 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

This final week of August brings more of our summer loving crops, just in time for some hot weather this week! 

Stay tuned for a full farm update next week.

SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 19th.  More details to come!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

August 26, 27, 28 & 29

Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Green Beans - 1.5 lbs
Red Onions - 4 pieces
Green Long Peppers - several pieces
Red Tomatoes - several pieces
Yukon Gold Potatoes - 1 quart

*The contents of the share may change through the week.

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Swiss Chard, Peppers, Green Beans
On the counter (for a few days)...
Red Onions, Tomatoes
In a cool, dark place (for up to a week)...
Potatoes

FRUIT SHARE

Peaches - 1 bag
Mixed bag Donut Peaches & Nectarines - 1 bag

FRUIT STORAGE TIPS
"The best way to ripen the fruit is to take it out of the plastic bag and let the condensation dry off so the moisture doesn't encourage any spoilage. As soon as it is ripe, eat it right away or put it in the fridge."  - Farmer Clark, Briermere Farms

RECIPES

Some recipes from around the web this week...

• Charred Long Peppers with Parmesan
• Swiss Chard with Spaghetti & Pecorino Cheese
• Parmesan Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Our Tomato harvest is in full swing!  You never know what kind of a season it will be and we lucked out this year with the perfect weather for tomatoes!  Most are ready to eat, but if you get some that need to ripen, just leave them out on the counter until fully red.  Can't make it through them?  Try freezing them!  I just chop them up (skin on) and put them in a ziplock bag in the freezer to use for soups and other recipes later in the year.  Red Beets are such a great 2-for-1 veg.  Don't forget to eat the tops!  They are great sauteed with garlic and olive oil.  Lettuce for your salads (or on your BLT sandwiches) and beautiful, waxy Yellow Potatoes for the most delicious potato salad.  The final item will change through the week. Some of you will get Eggplant, some Green Beans.  We keep track of what everyone gets so that we can even it out over the coming weeks. 

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

August 19, 20, 21 & 22

Red Beets - 1 bunch
Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
*Eggplant OR Other Item - 1 piece
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Red Tomatoes - 5 lbs!
Yellow Potatoes - 1 quart - loose

*The contents of the share will change through the week.

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Beets, Eggplant
On the counter (for a few days)...
Tomatoes
In a cool, dark place (for up to a week)...
Potatoes

FRUIT SHARE

Peaches - 1 bag
Mixed bag Donut Peaches & Nectarines - 1 bag

FRUIT STORAGE TIPS
"The best way to ripen the fruit is to take it out of the plastic bag and let the condensation dry off so the moisture doesn't encourage any spoilage. As soon as it is ripe, eat it right away or put it in the fridge."  - Farmer Clark, Briermere Farms

RECIPES

• Fresh Tomato Sauce
• Salsa Ranchera
• 8 Recipes for Beet Greens - The Kitchn
 

FARMER Q&A

Some of you have been asking questions about the shares these past few weeks and I thought it would be good to re-post my answers here!  

CSA Member: Where are all the other greens like spinach, kale and collards that I love so much?  Why do we keep getting Swiss Chard? 
Farmers: Most greens don't grow well in the heat of the summer.  Swiss Chard is pretty much the only cooking green that we can grow in July and August.  Plenty of other greens are planted for harvest when it cools down a bit in September, October and November. 

CSA Member: What's up with all the lettuce and onions? 
Farmers: Did you notice that there is no more lettuce in the shares this week?  I'm sure we'll get some complaints about that too!  Look, folks, we can't make everyone happy.  Most people want to make salads during the week, so we do our best to include a salad green of some sort (lettuce, arugula, lettuce mix, etc.) in the shares each week.  Batavian and Romaine lettuces happen to grow well in the summer heat, so that's why you've been getting them for the past few weeks.  Onions grow well in the summer too and we have planted several different varieties for you to try. If you cook a lot, you know you can't possibly get enough onions.  We understand that if you're trying to get through the onions and you don't cook much, it may be a struggle.  Hey, you can always give them away to your friend or neighbor. Or better yet, make a caramelized onion tart (see recipe section) and you'll be the star at your next summer potluck! 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Green Bell Peppers are in!  I usually use my first to make a big batch of gazpacho with the tomatoes and onions.  Great for dinner on a hot summer night!  Fennel is delicious sliced thinly in a salad or perhaps roasted up with the potatoes - what a great idea!  The Potato harvest continues this week with more red varieties.  The Tomatoes are coming in well now too.  You'll be getting more over the coming weeks. Swiss Chard and beautiful Cipollini Onions round out the share.  Bon appetit!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

August 12, 13, 14 & 15

Green Bell Pepper - 1 piece
Fennel - 1 bunch
Cipollini Onions - 1 bunch
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Red Tomatoes - 2-3 pieces
Red Potatoes - 4 lbs!

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Pepper, Fennel, Onions, Swiss Chard
On the counter (for a few days)...
Tomatoes
In a cool, dark place (for up to a week)...
Potatoes

RECIPES

• Balsamic Glazed Sweet & Sour Cipollini Onions - Smitten Kitchen
• Gazpacho
• Swiss Chard & Potatoes
• Crash Hot Potatoes - The Pioneer Woman
• Shaved Fennel Salad - 101 Cookbooks
• Caramelized Onion & Gruyere Tart
 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Happy August!  Our hot summer crops are finally coming in!  The big surprise this week is a beautiful Baby Watermelon.  These melons have some seeds which is why they taste so great! They are picked ripe and ready to eat and they must be stored in the fridge. (They will rot if left out.)  You're all getting a bag of our wonderful Cherry Tomatoes this week too!  Since they are so small, they are the first of the tomatoes to ripen.  More to come!  We harvested our Hardneck Garlic a few weeks ago and it has been hanging to dry in our barns.  We're cutting it down and sending it out in the shares as a very special treat.  Garlic seed is extraordinarily expensive, so each head is worth quite a fortune!  We grow a hardneck variety which cannot be found in stores.  It has an exceptional flavor and is usually easier to peel than softneck varieties.  Our Potato harvest has begun this week too!  (It's been quite a busy week, can you tell?)   The first early variety you're getting in the shares this week is called Red Norland.  Since they are dug fresh, they cook very quickly.  I've found that they cook in about 1/2 the time as traditional store-bought storage potatoes.  Finally, Cucumber, Lettuce and a quart of Yellow Onions round out the share.  Can I just tell you how excited I am to get onions in the shares?  They are the base of pretty much everything I cook in the kitchen and it is so exciting to be using our own.  I hope you are loving them as much as I am!  Happy Cooking, friends!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

August 5, 6, 7 & 8

Yellow Onions - 1 quart
Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
Romaine Lettuce - 1 head
Cucumber - 1 piece
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Hardneck Garlic - 2 pieces
Red Norland Potatoes - 1 quart
Baby Watermelon - 1 piece

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Cucumber
In the fridge...
Watermelon
On the counter (for up to a week)...
Onions, garlic
In a cool, dark place (for up to a week)...
Potatoes

RECIPES

• Red Potatoes with Olives, Feta & Mint
• Baked Cherry Tomatoes with Parmesan Topping
• Stir-fried Garlic Lettuce
• Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes - Ina Garten

NOTES ON THE SHARE

The contents of this week's share will vary through the week, depending on your pick-up location.  This is mainly due to the fact that we are still getting used to using our new harvesting equipment for the green beans and the arugula and we weren't able to harvest them for every site last week.  So this week we'll be playing make-up for those groups who didn't get them last week, and throwing in some new items for the ones who did.  We're always trying to keep the shares interesting and provide a wide variety for each member based on what's available to harvest each week.  It's quite a juggle!  This week we have some beautiful Yellow Onions perfect for caramelizing!  Don't know how?  Check out the great How To from our friends at The Kitchn. (Link the right.)  We've harvested a full pound and a half of Carrots for everyone this week. I've never made chilled carrot soup, but it's on my menu this week.  And our heat-loving Batavain Lettuce is back again - perfect for your summer salads!  Having Swiss Chard fatigue?  Try something new like Chard Cakes or Braised Chard with Cumin.  Enjoy!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

July 29, 30, 31 & August 1

Yellow Onions - 3 pieces
Carrots - 1.5 lb bag
Batavian Lettuce - 2 heads
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Additional Items will vary depending on your pick-up location this week.  These may include: Arugula, Green Beans, Zucchini, Cucumber

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Carrots, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Arugula, Green Beans, Zucchini, Cucumber

On the counter...
Onions

RECIPES

• Chard Cakes with Sorrel Sauce
• Cumin Braised Swiss Chard - Food & Wine
• Chilled Carrot Soup - Martha Stewart
• HOW TO: Caramelize Onions - The Kitchn
 

NOTES ON THE SHARE

Green beans!  They are a huge pain to harvest each pod by hand, so we're working on getting our bean harvester up and running.  If all goes well, you'll be receiving more of these (in greater quantities) in your shares over the next few months. Be sure not to overcook them!  Just steam them for a few minutes until tender and then toss with some butter and salt.  Heaven...  Swiss Chard is back this week.  You may want to try it in pasta for a change.  Try this week's recipe.  Cabbage for your coleslaw and some other favorites returning this week include Zucchini and Scallions.  I'll be making a quick pickled salad with the Cukes and Red Onion.  Bon appetit!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

July 22, 23, 24 & 25

Green Beans - 1/2 lb.
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Cabbage - 1 head
Cucumbers - several pieces
Zucchini - several pieces
Red Onions - 1 bunch
Scallions - 1 bunch

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Carrots (separate from the greens first), Kohlrabi, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Onions, Scallions, Lettuce

RECIPES

• Pasta with Caramelized Onion, Swiss Chard and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
• Quick Cucumber and Red Onion Pickled Salad
• Coleslaw with Yogurt Dressing

NOTES ON THE SHARE

We have another great summer share this week!  Cucumbers are debuting, and I just can't get enough of them - in sticks to dip, chopped in salads, sliced up in my water pitcher and my personal favorite, tzatziki (cucumber & yogurt sauce) .  Try this recipe from David Lebovitz. We have some beautiful Cipollini Onions to share with you this week as well.  I'll warn you that they are sharp, so you're probably best off cooking them.  Try this week's recipe for roasted onions and you won't be disappointed! Carrots are easy to just eat raw with some hummus (my kids' choice), but they're also delicious roasted with garlic and herbs.  You could even grate them up and add them to a coleslaw along with that leftover cabbage from last week!  Kohlrabi needs to be peeled (discard the peel and the leaves/stems) and can be enjoyed either raw or cooked. We like it sliced thinly, drizzled with some good olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and some fresh herbs.  You could add a little cheese and really do it up!  Here are some more ideas... I'm loving my summer salads, so luckily we have more Lettuce this week.   Rounding out the share is a bunch of Scallions - perfect for the grill or chopped in your salads, and more Zucchini! 

FARM WEATHER REPORT

It's been extremely dry in the fields and we are desperate for some rain!  We got a bit last night and are hoping for more over the coming days...

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

July 15, 16, 17 & 18

Carrots - 1 bunch
Kohlrabi - several pieces
Cucumbers - several pieces
Zucchini - several pieces
Cipollini Onions - 1 bunch
Scallions - 1 bunch
Lettuce - 1 head

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Carrots (separate from the greens first), Kohlrabi, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Onions, Scallions, Lettuce

RECIPES

• Roasted Cipollini Onions with Honey & Balsamic
• Grilled Scallions with Lemon
• Roasted Zuccini with Ricotta & Mint
• Tzatziki Sauce (Cucumbers and Yogurt)

NOTES ON THE SHARE

So many of you have been asking for the return of my rambling comments on the week's share.  So here you go...
Radicchio is one of my all-time favorites.  It is bitter, but easily balanced when properly dressed or cooked.  I happen to love it sliced thinly in a salad (Try this one!) or as we discovered last summer, it is perfectly suited to the grill - yes, the grill!  I've put a few recipes for grilled or seared radicchio in this newsletter for you to try, and you really must.  Zucchini is making its debut this week, also a wonderful addition to your grill when sliced lengthwise and coated with a little olive oil.  You'll be getting plenty more this season!  Swiss Chard is really best cooked, and I like to gently saute it with some butter until just tender.  Remember that the stems take a bit longer to cook, so throw them in the pan for a few minutes by themselves before you add the leaves.  If I'm feeling like making a little more of a fuss, I throw in some pine nuts and raisins a la this recipe.  Basil, my love, I'm so glad you're back!  Please do yourself a favor and just whip up a batch of basil pesto this week - recipe to the right.  When I was a kid my mother would make pesto in her Cuisinart several times a week in the summertime to keep up with her prolific basil patch.  It's perfect on pasta, pizza, zucchini, crackers, sandwiches, anything!  Chioggia Beets (also known as candy cane beets for their red & white striped interiors) are an Italian heirloom variety.  You can cook them up like red beets, but don't forget to slice them horizontally so you can see just how beautiful they are! Batavian Lettuce for your summer salads, a variety that grows well in the heat.  Carrots, yum!  And either Cabbage or something else that the farmers deem worthy of including in your shares this week!  A great box all around.  Thank you Farmers Matt & James!

FARM WEATHER REPORT

We were so thankful for last Friday's rain storm, but it only gave us a few days of rest from irrigating.  The fields are dry as a bone once again and we're back to moving pipes and irrigating our fields one section at a time.  We're looking forward to Mother Nature helping us out with a little more wet weather forecast for mid-week. 

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

July 8, 9, 10 & 11

Radicchio - 1 head
Zucchini - several pieces
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Chioggia Beets - 1 bunch
Basil - 1 bunch
Carrots - 1 bunch
Cabbage - OR - Other Item - 1 piece
Batavian Lettuce- 1 head

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Radicchio, Zucchini, Swiss Chard, Beets (separate from the tops), Carrots, Cabbage, Lettuce.

In a jar of water in the fridge...
Basil

RECIPES

• Seared Radicchio with Mozzarella
• Balsamic Grilled Radicchio
• Fresh Basil Pesto

NEWS FROM THE FARM

It's been another busy week of transplanting, seeding, harvesting and irrigating! We seeded the second set of green beans on Sunday.  You can expect to see them in your shares some time this month.

NOTES ON THE SHARE

How can you not love this week's harvest?  I'm so excited to get into the kitchen after I finish up this newsletter and start cooking!  I'll be making the salads I put in the Recipe section of the newsletter.  The escarole and fennel salad is a little bit time consuming, but oh so worth it!  If you're in a pinch for time, save the white parts of the escarole for salad (dressed in a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, red wine vinegar, good quality mustard and crushed garlic), and cook up the green parts in a simple saute.  The recipe for escarole & pine nuts is a good one.  You can find dozens of other recipes for this week's bounty on our website.  Bon appetit! 

FARM WEATHER REPORT

Dry and hot...perfect growing conditions for our summer crops.  Keeping everything irrigated is the biggest challenge in this weather! 

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

July 1, 2, 3 & 4

Fennel - several pieces
Toscano Kale - 1 bunch
Red Beets - 1 bunch
Napa Cabbage - 1 bunch
Escarole - 1 head
Arugula - 1 bag
Lettuce - 1 head

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Fennel, Kale, Beets, Cabbage, Escarole, Arugula

RECIPES

• Beet, Arugula & Goat Cheese Salad
• Escarole and White Bean Salad with Fennel & Gruyere Cheese
• Escarole and Pine Nuts

NEWS FROM THE FARM

One of our irrigation pumps is broken.  I won't go into all the boring details, but it's a major bummer.  No pump means no irrigating.  Crops are dry, farmers are grumpy, hours are spent trying to bust the thing apart so we can figure out what's wrong with it.  And it's been so dry that the local irrigation company can't help.  They are up to their ears in work fixing pumps from other farms in similar situations.  Just a typical week at the farm.... (I'm hoping that the replacement parts shipping from Georgia this week will get here soon and we can have water again!  And see some smiles on our farmers' faces.)

NOTES ON THE SHARE

There are some items in the box this week that may be new to many of you.  Kohlrabi (that strange-looking round veg) is crisp and juicy inside - perfect sliced raw and sprinkled with a little sea salt or cooked.  Remove the stem and greens and peel off the skin to get to the good part!  The NY Times had a nice article on it a few years ago. And this is the first time we've had Napa Cabbage in the share!  Thank you Farmer James! This is a really crisp mild-flavored Chinese cabbage that is perfect as the base of a refreshing summer salad. 

U-PICK STRAWBERRIES

Our U-Pick season is over...  We're planting more strawberries for harvest next June, so we'll have plenty more next year! 

TOUR THE FARM!

Our final June Farm Tour will be held this Saturday at 2pm. Free for CSA members and their families. I've really enjoyed meeting many of you and showing you around the farm! 

FARM WEATHER REPORT

It's officially summer!  The weather has been extremely dry and we've been spending a lot of time irrigating (with our working pump!). This weather is perfect for our crops, so let's keep our fingers crossed for more of the same! 

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

June 24, 25, 26 & 27

Spinach - 1 bunch
Napa Cabbage - 1 bunch
Kohlrabi - 1 bunch
Red Boston Lettuce - 1 head
Green Boston Lettuce - 1 head

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Spinach, Kohlrabi, Cabbage

RECIPES

• Braised Kohlrabi
• Napa Cabbage Salad