CSA Fall Harvest Week One

Fall share is here! We've got a great first share for you. Glad autumn has arrived.

I'm sure you're aware of some of the weather challenges faced by farmers the past few months. We just spoke to a Massachusetts farmer on Saturday who could not dig his 35 acres of potatoes after hurricane flooding and potential contamination from sewage. Throughout the region, there has been a shortage of good winter squash, potatoes, pumpkins. And fall foliage color surely looks to be minimized this year.

But there's lots for which we are thankful. Like wood ducks, the monkshood, the yellow spicebush leaves. And knowing that being small farmers means we can't lose 35 acres of potatoes. While our potato yields were low this year, our tomatoes and beans were prolific. Today, even in the rain, I was delighted to be outdoors packing CSA shares.

Thanks for letting us do this for you!

In this week's share:

1) one bunch celery: we're very proud of this celery. It has proved a challenging crop for us, but this year we got it right. Maybe all this rain helped!
2) one pound potatoes: choose from all blue, prairie blush or cranberry red
3) one bag onions: choose from red, white, or yellow
4) one pound heirloom tomatoes: the tail end of our excellent crop
5) two sweet peppers: one green bell and one corno di Toro (horn of the bull), an excellent Italian heirloom
6) CHOICE: one bag asian braising greens OR two eggplants
7) CHOICE: cilantro OR basil microgreens Wondering what microgreens are? Baby greens that are highly nutritious and also very beautiful.
8) three apples: one Macoun, one Margil, one Honey Crisp. Fun to compare size, shape, color, and taste! All grown sustainably by Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY. NOT organic. Swap if this poses a problem.
9) three Bartlett pears: also grown by Red Jacket. This recipe looks good!


Today's NY Times Dining section had some great recipes (see here).

FYI: I'm trying to post preliminary share lists on Mondays for your meal/shopping planning. What to expect in coming weeks: maple syrup, romanesco cauliflower, leeks, garlic, ground cherries