2018. Week 8! Sweet Corn

I would like to proudly announce the arrival of SWEET CORN to the CSA share this week.  Nothing tastes like summer like some sweet corn!

For the best flavor eat your corn as soon as possible, like the same day you pick up.  If you can. Although, if you can't eat your corn that night leave the husk on and store it in your refrigerator.  Refrigeration really helps to slow down the loss of the corns sweetness.  We have had many customers tell us that they leave their unshucked corn in the fridge for up to 7 days and it still tastes great!

To prepare your corn, husk and wash the corn.  Bring a big pot of water to boil.  Toss the ears in, cook for about 5 minutes.

What I normally end up doing is tossing the ears in the boiling water, bring it back to a boil, and then shutting the burner off.  Then I just let the corn sit in the water until we are ready to eat.  This works well for me because, I don't always know when Eric will come in for dinner.  This way the corn stays warm until I need it.

Corn is going to be a regular in the share for July and August.  If you ever have a week when you can't eat all the corn or it just isn't fitting into your meal plan. Freeze it!  It is so easy. Just cut the corn off the cob, stick it in a freezer bag, and toss it in the freezer. Done! If you're feeling extra ambitious, you can date the bag. Once you get used to eating this frozen corn, you will be ruined for all other frozen corn.

Eggplant-  While everyone in this household loves fried eggplant, this mama only has the patience to make it on rare occasions.  But this eggplant recipe comes together quickly for a great week night meal.

2018. Week 7.

Welcome summer!

New this week:

Carrots: Have you ever heard it said that carrots improve your vision? Well, that may not be entirely accurate. During World War II, the British government had a secret new radar system that was dramatically increasing the percentage of Nazi bombers being shot down at night. Not wanting the enemy to find out, the British credited carrots with improving night vision of the defense gunners. The carrot story offered the Nazis a plausible explanation and helped distract attention from the radar system. Thankfully, it is true that carrots are high in beta-carotene which may help reduce the risk of cataract and macular degeneration. Not bad!

Red Cabbage: This cabbage has a slightly sweet and peppery flavor. I can't wait to make some fish tacos with red cabbage slaw! Here is a recipe for red cabbage and carrot slaw

Golden Zucchini: is a beautiful variety of zucchini, I'm going to try my best to get 1 of each color in the share, but we will have to see how the plants produce this week.  Golden zucchini can be used the same as regular zucchini, it just adds a brilliant color to your stir fry.

2018. Week 6. Blueberries!!

New this week:

Red Romaine- Use it the same as green romaine. It is just a little more delicate, but oh so beautiful!

Blueberries - we don't grow blueberries, but we get these direct from the grower Donio in Hammonton, NJ , "The Blueberry Capitol of the World"

Cabbage - This is a great variety that has tender leaves that are very sweet and crisp -  perfect for coleslaw or stir-fries. One of my families favorite ways to eat cabbage is Egg Roll in a bowl.

Spring Onions- look similar to scallions, but you'll notice that they have small onion bulbs at the base. Spring onions are sweeter and mellower than regular onions, but the greens are more intense in flavor than scallions. The bulbs can be used in much the same way as regular bulb onions.

2018. Week 5

New this week

Zucchini!  The first of the summer squash is here.  Zucchini is such a versatile vegetable. The internet is full of all different zucchini recipes.  What will you make with yours?

Collard Greens are back.  CSA member shared this amazing recipe with me and I am happy to pass it along to you. 

Stuffed Collard Greens
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound bacon browned
1 or 2 tablespoons of oil
1 1/2 cups dry quinoa or rice
28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes crushed
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 bunches collard greens, stems removed
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic
2 1/2 cups stock, I used vegetable

Brown ground beef in oil, add onion and garlic until soft. Stir in quinoa or rice add stock, pepper and Italian seasoning, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover until quinoa ( about 8 minutes) or rice are nearly done but not fully cooked. Remove from heat and let cool. Add cooked bacon
Blanch the greens in salted boiling for about a minute, shock in ice water drain.

Place the thicker stem side down, fill with the beef/rice mix and roll up, place in shallow baking pan pour the crushed tomatoes with juice over the rolls, bake covered 1 hour at 350 degrees.  

Yum!

2018. Week 4

What a week! It got hot, it got humid.  Which is not good weather for strawberries.  We are squeaking out another week of berries, barely.  I am so bummed we had to cancel the Spring Open House, it is always such a great time to visit with you and show you around the farm.  But Saturday morning the forecast looked ominous.  By 2pm the sky was blue and the sun was shining and I was feeling like we made the wrong call. Blergh! So frustrating!  However, at 5pm the heavens opened  and we got that forecasted downpour along with lightning. Seems like it was the right call after all, but still a bummer to not have you over.

The only new thing I've added this week is kirby pickles. You can use these just like cucumbers, but they are especially great for pickling. Here is a link to a great refrigerator pickle.

Recipe shared by CSA member:

Kale Strawberry Salad
3/4lb Untrimmed kale
2Tbs Olive Oil
1/2 cup Strawberries
1/4 cup Lemon Juice
1Tbs Honey
Dash of Salt

1. Wash and dry kale. Remove thick ribs/stems.
2. Cut or rip kale to 1/4 pieces.
3. Add 1Tbs of oil to kale and massage for 2 min to break down the fibers.
4. Add strawberries.
5. Mix together Lemon juice, remaining oil, honey, and salt.
6. Add dressing mixture to kale and strawberries. Mix.
7. Refrigerate until served or eat immediately. You can add orange segments, mangos, apples, raspberries, or blueberries instead or in addition to the strawberries.

**Spring Open House Cancelled**

Dear CSA member, I regret to inform you that we have decided to cancel the Spring Open House. With the threat of severe thunderstorms all afternoon, we feel this is the best choice for everyones safety. I'm sorry, but there is no rain date.