As the cool weather arrives, the summer share comes to an end. Thanks for being a part of it. We hope you've loved the experience. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future seasons. If you are also in the fall share, please note there is a week gap (fall begins October 20). As a current shareholder, you will have the first option to sign up for shares in 2012. Watch for info in late November.
We are still busy with autumn chores. Fields to clean up and seed with cover crops, hoop houses to close up for the winter. I heard there was a frost advisory for Litchfield County tonight. We can't be too far behind.
The farm stand remains open through Thanksgiving. Keep coming by!
In this week's share:
1) half gallon apple cider from Red Jacket Orchards, New York state. Delicious and seasonal.
2) one head cauliflower: grown by Pedersen Farms in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Certified organic.
3) one celeriac: why this vegetable is not more widely utilized is a mystery. We love it! Wonderful flavor--kind of a cross between celery and potato. Great cooked & pureed, added to a soup, roasted. Read more.
4) one bunch baby maroon carrots
5) three red noodle beans: We fell in love with these last year. Cut into sections and lightly saute. Delicious! Be adventurous! Here's a couple recipes.
6) one sweet pepper: either bell-type or corno di toro variety
7) two Honey Crisp apples: grown sustainably by Red Jacket Orchard in Geneva, NY. Not certified organic.
8) farm stand item(s) of your choice totaling approximately $4.00. Options include pea shoots, eggplant, tomatoes, ground cherries, additional honey crisp apples, Arethusa milk, beets, kale microgreens, chinese cabbage, buttercup squash. Delivery customers will receive items that do not require refrigeration so that we do not need to leave in insulated bag since this is last delivery week. Email to make alternative arrangements.
Showing posts with label summer share. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer share. Show all posts
Monday, October 3
Wednesday, September 28
Sunday, September 25
CSA Summer Harvest Week Seventeen
As you might imagine, these gloomy gray muggy warmish days are not great for the fall harvest. We're certainly not growing any crops that benefit from this weather, although I have heard it's the best mushroom year in the northeast in a long time. I can believe it.
For cultivated crops regionwide, there are big challenges this autumn. Pumpkins and winter squash are in early, and suffer from reduced shelf life due to the fungal-positive weather. The high level of moisture in the air adversely affects many leaf crops including lettuce and spinach. Apples and pears deterioriate faster than in a normal year.
But the weeks are passing quickly. And the rain will end. Time to take our soil tests, add minerals, and consider our management strategies going forward. Time to plant garlic. Spring is just around the corner!
Next week is the last distribution of the summer share. The fall share commences two weeks later and our farm stand will remain open through Thanksgiving. Hope you've enjoyed the food.
In this week's share:
1) one tub goat feta cheese from Butterfield Farm in Granby, CT. Yum!
2) shallots: They look like miniature onions with dark tan skins. Even though shallots may be similar to an onion, they are definitely not the same. In other words, they are not baby onions. They tend to be sweet so one or two finely chopped shallots are usually all that is needed to flavor recipes. They tend to merry well with dishes that call for white wine, cream and butter. To cook, saute them slowly. Although shallots caramelize like onions, they overcook easily. It is important to saute them slowly over low heat or else you risk the chance that you overcook them, resulting in a bitter taste instead of sweet.
3) one acorn squash: ten recipes
4) one bag french beans: choose green haricots verts or mixed colors
5) one pound heirloom tomatoes
6) farmstand item(s) of your choice totalling around $6.00. Choices include: eggplant, ground cherries, peppers, hakurei turnips, concord grapes, collard greens, Red Jacket juices, Arethusa products, apples, pears, kale microgreens, duck eggs. Delivery customers will receive hakurei turnips and peppers unless they request otherwise by Thursday 10am.
See you tomorrow!
For cultivated crops regionwide, there are big challenges this autumn. Pumpkins and winter squash are in early, and suffer from reduced shelf life due to the fungal-positive weather. The high level of moisture in the air adversely affects many leaf crops including lettuce and spinach. Apples and pears deterioriate faster than in a normal year.
But the weeks are passing quickly. And the rain will end. Time to take our soil tests, add minerals, and consider our management strategies going forward. Time to plant garlic. Spring is just around the corner!
Next week is the last distribution of the summer share. The fall share commences two weeks later and our farm stand will remain open through Thanksgiving. Hope you've enjoyed the food.
In this week's share:
1) one tub goat feta cheese from Butterfield Farm in Granby, CT. Yum!
2) shallots: They look like miniature onions with dark tan skins. Even though shallots may be similar to an onion, they are definitely not the same. In other words, they are not baby onions. They tend to be sweet so one or two finely chopped shallots are usually all that is needed to flavor recipes. They tend to merry well with dishes that call for white wine, cream and butter. To cook, saute them slowly. Although shallots caramelize like onions, they overcook easily. It is important to saute them slowly over low heat or else you risk the chance that you overcook them, resulting in a bitter taste instead of sweet.
3) one acorn squash: ten recipes
4) one bag french beans: choose green haricots verts or mixed colors
5) one pound heirloom tomatoes
6) farmstand item(s) of your choice totalling around $6.00. Choices include: eggplant, ground cherries, peppers, hakurei turnips, concord grapes, collard greens, Red Jacket juices, Arethusa products, apples, pears, kale microgreens, duck eggs. Delivery customers will receive hakurei turnips and peppers unless they request otherwise by Thursday 10am.
See you tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 21
CSA Summer Harvest Week Sixteen
In this week's share:
1) one bunch leeks
2) one bag salad greens: choose mesclun mix OR arugula
3) one bag fresh herb: choose dill OR parsley
4) one bag haricots verts (french green beans)
5) one bell pepper
6) five ears sweet corn: delicious from JD Farms in Danbury. Not organic.
7) one of the following three choices:
collard greens OR chinese cabbage OR celeriac
8) OPTION: farmstand item(s) totalling approxmately $4. Options include: eggplant, tomatoes, hakurei turnips, Arethusa milk, Arethusa half & half, gala apples, cortland apples, bartlett pears, potatoes, onions, garlic, Red Jacket juice, Red Jacket Apricot jam, ground cherries, a second bag of salad greens, a second bag of fresh herbs (dill OR parsley). Delivery customers may make specific requests until 10am Thursday. If we don't hear from you, we'll choose something yummy.
Happy Fall Equinox!
1) one bunch leeks
2) one bag salad greens: choose mesclun mix OR arugula
3) one bag fresh herb: choose dill OR parsley
4) one bag haricots verts (french green beans)
5) one bell pepper
6) five ears sweet corn: delicious from JD Farms in Danbury. Not organic.
7) one of the following three choices:
collard greens OR chinese cabbage OR celeriac
8) OPTION: farmstand item(s) totalling approxmately $4. Options include: eggplant, tomatoes, hakurei turnips, Arethusa milk, Arethusa half & half, gala apples, cortland apples, bartlett pears, potatoes, onions, garlic, Red Jacket juice, Red Jacket Apricot jam, ground cherries, a second bag of salad greens, a second bag of fresh herbs (dill OR parsley). Delivery customers may make specific requests until 10am Thursday. If we don't hear from you, we'll choose something yummy.
Happy Fall Equinox!
Wednesday, September 14
CSA Summer Harvest Week Fifteen
Hello all:
I was in Florida for a few days this past week for my grandmother's 91st birthday. Apologize for late hour and no advance preview. See you tomorrow!
Ilsa
In this week's share:
1) CHOICE: white japanese salad turnips OR winterbor kale. The japanese turnips (aka Hakurei turnips) are a golf-ball-sized turnip with greens. They can be eaten raw, but they are great sauteed with a bit of butter and salt. Not your average turnip. Winterbor kale has ruffled edge and traditional kale flavor.
2) CHOICE: one eggplant OR one bag haricots verts (french green beans). We have several varieties of eggplants featuring different skin colors but similar flavors. The beans are simple perfection.
3) one bell pepper and one corno di toro (horn of the bull) pepper - both sweet. The Corno di Toro is an attractive elongated fruit with excellent flavor.
4) one butternut squash: And the winter squash begin rolling in. Sweet nutty flavor. Here are eight things to do with it.
5) one clamshell ground cherries: these unique small fruits are fun to try. Imagine tomato mixed with pineapple in a small package. Interesting flavor: some love it, others hate it. Peel off outer husk to eat. Add to salad, dip in chocolate....Read more.
6) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: they are winding down, so enjoy....
7) two bartlett pears: grown sustainably by Woodland Farm in Glastonbury, CT. Not organic.
I was in Florida for a few days this past week for my grandmother's 91st birthday. Apologize for late hour and no advance preview. See you tomorrow!
Ilsa
In this week's share:
1) CHOICE: white japanese salad turnips OR winterbor kale. The japanese turnips (aka Hakurei turnips) are a golf-ball-sized turnip with greens. They can be eaten raw, but they are great sauteed with a bit of butter and salt. Not your average turnip. Winterbor kale has ruffled edge and traditional kale flavor.
2) CHOICE: one eggplant OR one bag haricots verts (french green beans). We have several varieties of eggplants featuring different skin colors but similar flavors. The beans are simple perfection.
3) one bell pepper and one corno di toro (horn of the bull) pepper - both sweet. The Corno di Toro is an attractive elongated fruit with excellent flavor.
4) one butternut squash: And the winter squash begin rolling in. Sweet nutty flavor. Here are eight things to do with it.
5) one clamshell ground cherries: these unique small fruits are fun to try. Imagine tomato mixed with pineapple in a small package. Interesting flavor: some love it, others hate it. Peel off outer husk to eat. Add to salad, dip in chocolate....Read more.
6) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: they are winding down, so enjoy....
7) two bartlett pears: grown sustainably by Woodland Farm in Glastonbury, CT. Not organic.
Wednesday, September 7
Monday, September 5
CSA Summer Harvest Week Fourteen
It's September!
Thanks to all for your flexibility and enthusiasm last week as we coped with the power outage following Hurricane Irene. Late last Thursday, just as the refrigerators were nearly cleaned out, electricity was restored. We consider ourselves fortunate to have great people like you in our lives. We received offers of help with crop refrigeration, storm preparation, and storm cleanup. Thank you! Hope you were able put last week's share to good use whether you had power or not.
We are entering what is, to my mind, high cooking season. There's nothing better than being in the kitchen on a dreary cool day or taking a break from a great movie to eat a warm bowl of homemade soup. Behold pear and apple season. And plan for winter squash in the coming weeks.
Cheers!
In this week's share:
1) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: select your own larger fruits or take a boxed selection of smaller varieties. I guess it's possible you're getting sick of tomatoes, but you've gotta make hay while the sun shines.
2) four pears/apples: you choose the combination. Pears are Bartletts. Apples are Cortland, a sweet and juicy apple with a hint of tartness which is great for salads or baking. Sustainably grown by Woodland Farms in Glastonbury, CT. They are not organic; utilize the swap option if this poses a problem.
3) one green bell pepper
4) one bunch scallions
5) one eggplant: variety options are Black Beauty, Falcon, Rosa Bianca, and Listia di Ghandia. I must be honest and say that I don't notice a lot of difference in flavor or texture between these varieties. Need recipe ideas?
6) CHOICE: one bag red beets (golden also available at farm stand) OR one bag presto cress microgreens. Presto cress is similar to watercress. It's great on a sandwich or on top of eggs or added to your green salad.
7) OPTION: the item(s) of your choice from the farm stand totalling approximately $5.00. Possibilities include Arethusa milk, yogurt, Red Jacket juices, donut peaches, nectarines, arugula microgreens, asian braising greens, cucumbers, summer squash, onions, garlic, potatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers, free range eggs, sorrel. Delivery customers: we will choose something for you unless you make a specific request by Thursday 10am.
Wednesday, August 31
CSA Summer Harvest Week Thirteen
We are still without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, so this post is short. Hope to see you tomorrow, the first day of September.
In this week's share:
1) three pounds heirloom tomatoes
2) one eggplant (assorted varieties - Black Beauty, Falcon, Rosa Bianca, Listada di Gandia) OR one summer squash
3) one bell pepper OR one cucumber
4) half dozen eggs (swap out if you don't want these)
5) one head garlic (choose from Purple Glazer, Music or German Extra Hardy)
6 item(s) of your choice at farm stand totalling approximately $7.00
Thanks to all for kind words and offers of help.
Ilsa & Joe
Wednesday, August 24
Tuesday, August 23
CSA Summer Harvest Week Twelve
Coming days look good to stay inside cooking and eating great food as the weather outside rages. Enjoy!
1) one bag haricots verts: thin french green beans
2) one bunch leeks: a thin summer ripening variety called Varna
3) four peaches: the wonderful ones from Woodland Farms in Glastonbury, CT. Sustainable growing practices, not organic.
4) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: Check out recipe ideas here and here. Quantities are limited; please no extras.
5) one pound prairie blush potatoes
6) your choice of item(s) from farm stand totaling approximately $6: Possibilities include eggplant, sweet peppers, yellow watermelon, cantaloupe, basil, sweet corn, potatoes, onions, garlic, nectarines, donut peaches, free range eggs, Red Jacket juice, goat cheese, Arethusa milk and yogurt, pac choi, tuscan kale, apples, cucumbers, summer squash. Delivery folks will receive one eggplant, one pepper, one cucumber and one large summer squash unless they request otherwise by Thur 10am.
See you tomorrow! Delivery customers: please have your clean bags out/ready for return.
Wednesday, August 17
CSA Summer Harvest Week Eleven
Keep it simple.
Especially with these beautiful tomatoes.
It's hard these days to escape the cooking shows, the cook books, and the $35 entrees that conspire to make cooking seem so complicated.
It's summer. I've been waiting 10 and half months for these heirloom tomatoes. Nothing anywhere on this green earth tastes as good as a thick slab of home grown tomato on lightly toasted good bread with a touch of mayonnaise and some salt.
I eat 2 a day for lunch. Every day. I'd have them for supper, too, but Ilsa would revolt. I'll eat them for lunch, every day, until the frost takes the last of the tomatoes.
And then I'll dream of them for 10 and a half more months.
In this week's share:
1) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: our crop is finally coming in. A varied assortment of deep reds, pinks, blacks and yellows with great names like Mortgage Lifter, Kellogg's Breakfast, Black Cherry, Black Trifele, and Jersey Devil.
2) one bunch fresh basil OR parsley
3) one box Italian blue plums: Castleton is a European variety with a cling-free pit and yellow flesh, It's flavor is mild and sweet. Decidedly less juicy than the Medleys we've given out previously. These were grown by Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY. The european plums are excellent for baking and drying because they hold there shape well.
4) one box onions: choose from red, white or yellow varieties
5) CHOICE: item(s) of your choice totaling approximately eight dollars from farm stand (possibilities include haricots verts french green beans, cucumbers, summer squash, eggs, Red Jacket juices, goat cheese, milk, yogurt, honey, eggplant, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, sweet corn, arugula, kale, apricots, peaches, apples). If you are a delivery customer, feel free to make requests by Thur 8am; if we don't hear from you, we will select something a yummy fruit or veggie for you.
Cheers!
P.S. Harlan says don't forget to check out this week's raffle!!!! Get your ticket!
In this week's share:
1) two pounds heirloom tomatoes: our crop is finally coming in. A varied assortment of deep reds, pinks, blacks and yellows with great names like Mortgage Lifter, Kellogg's Breakfast, Black Cherry, Black Trifele, and Jersey Devil.
2) one bunch fresh basil OR parsley
3) one box Italian blue plums: Castleton is a European variety with a cling-free pit and yellow flesh, It's flavor is mild and sweet. Decidedly less juicy than the Medleys we've given out previously. These were grown by Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY. The european plums are excellent for baking and drying because they hold there shape well.
4) one box onions: choose from red, white or yellow varieties
5) CHOICE: item(s) of your choice totaling approximately eight dollars from farm stand (possibilities include haricots verts french green beans, cucumbers, summer squash, eggs, Red Jacket juices, goat cheese, milk, yogurt, honey, eggplant, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, sweet corn, arugula, kale, apricots, peaches, apples). If you are a delivery customer, feel free to make requests by Thur 8am; if we don't hear from you, we will select something a yummy fruit or veggie for you.
Cheers!
P.S. Harlan says don't forget to check out this week's raffle!!!! Get your ticket!
Wednesday, August 10
CSA Summer Harvest Week Ten
Several good rains in the past week have freed us up from irrigation duties. We're taking time to walk fields and really assess what's happening with crops and soils, consider ideas for next season and for five years from now.
We've been working to enact some innovative soil stewardship techniques, with the hope of increasing the nutritional content of our crops. (I'll write a separate post soon about how we test the nutrient density and some of our crop results.) We're thinking about weed families and what they may reveal about our soils, explanations for the poor potato crop this season, ways to prolong the bush bean harvest.
Yesterday we started harvesting peppers and eggplants. Tasted a Pinot Noir pepper (purple skinned), which was excellent; sadly, the variety is not producing heavily. Several others are laden with fruit including the habaneros (extremely spicy!). Habanero lovers, announce yourselves so we can provide special hot pepper service. Beans, cucumbers and summer squash are peaking.
On the horizon: heirloom tomatoes, bok choy, red cabbage, leeks, apples
in this week's share:
1) one bag red russian kale
2) one bag haricots verts (french green beans): so tender you can eat them raw
3) one Sugar Baby watermelon: grown by Lou D'Allsandro (JD Farms) in Danbury, CT. He also grew the sweet corn we've been giving out. He seems to have a real talent for growing melons. We've tried and it's not easy to end up with good quality, good tasting fruit. His crops are not organic. Swap out if this poses a problem for your family.
4) three probiotic yogurt chug drinks: These are amazing! Great for a quick lunch or breakfast or after a trip to the gym. from Butterfield Farm in Granby, CT. Vegans, anti-dairy folks can swap out.
5) option: your choice of farm stand item(s) totalling approximately $3.00. Choices include peaches, apples, juices, mizuna, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes. Delivery folks will recieve 2 peaches and 1 cucumber unless they request otherwise by Thur 8am.
Enjoy!
We've been working to enact some innovative soil stewardship techniques, with the hope of increasing the nutritional content of our crops. (I'll write a separate post soon about how we test the nutrient density and some of our crop results.) We're thinking about weed families and what they may reveal about our soils, explanations for the poor potato crop this season, ways to prolong the bush bean harvest.
Yesterday we started harvesting peppers and eggplants. Tasted a Pinot Noir pepper (purple skinned), which was excellent; sadly, the variety is not producing heavily. Several others are laden with fruit including the habaneros (extremely spicy!). Habanero lovers, announce yourselves so we can provide special hot pepper service. Beans, cucumbers and summer squash are peaking.
On the horizon: heirloom tomatoes, bok choy, red cabbage, leeks, apples
in this week's share:
1) one bag red russian kale
2) one bag haricots verts (french green beans): so tender you can eat them raw
3) one Sugar Baby watermelon: grown by Lou D'Allsandro (JD Farms) in Danbury, CT. He also grew the sweet corn we've been giving out. He seems to have a real talent for growing melons. We've tried and it's not easy to end up with good quality, good tasting fruit. His crops are not organic. Swap out if this poses a problem for your family.
4) three probiotic yogurt chug drinks: These are amazing! Great for a quick lunch or breakfast or after a trip to the gym. from Butterfield Farm in Granby, CT. Vegans, anti-dairy folks can swap out.
5) option: your choice of farm stand item(s) totalling approximately $3.00. Choices include peaches, apples, juices, mizuna, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes. Delivery folks will recieve 2 peaches and 1 cucumber unless they request otherwise by Thur 8am.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 3
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