Full Shares:  Carrots, Chioggia Beets, Collards, Spring Onions, Broccolini, Salad Mix, Cilantro, and Red Spinach

Partial Shares:  Carrots, Salad Mix, Spring Onions, Chard, Broccolini, and Cilantro

Hello CSA members!

It’s hard to believe it’s week #5 already!  It’s also hard to believe that it’s supposed to freeze tonight.  And that Anthony Bourdain is no longer with us.   What a crazy week.

It seems with farming, it it isn’t one thing it’s another.   After a gallant effort by our under-staffed crew to get everything planted on schedule after a late start to the season, we get exactly  one and a half days of reprieve before Mother Nature threatens to undo much of our work with an untimely freeze.  Folks are often surprised when I tell them that the average last frost date is June 10th for the Flathead Valley, especially on years like this one and last year, when May is so mild.  But it’s true….no matter how warm the spring, there is usually one cold snap to keep you on your toes.  It’s basically a prerequisite that to be a farmer, one must be an optimist (or have a really short memory).  So I’m going the optimistic route and hoping that we have some cloud cover tonight and we don’t get down to the 27 degrees that is forecasted for this area.  And if it does….it does.   Every thing that can be covered is covered.  Everything that can be heated is heated.    Ahh, the joys of farming in Montana….it sure would be a lot more fun if it weren’t so stressful.

Freeze or not, there will be carrots this week!  It is a much anticipated time of year when the first spring carrots are ready (these were seeded in a high tunnel in March when we still had 2 feet of snow on the ground).  And they don’t disappoint…sweet and crunchy!  And there is no recipe for them as there is really only one way to eat the first carrots of the year….raw!  And I have to say that Broccolini has become one of my go-to vegetables the last two weeks…sauteed in oil or bacon fat with some chopped spring onions, it goes with just about any meal. We’ve been keeping a pot of Quinoa around, so when we’re in a rush, can whip up some quinoa, broccolini and onion with kale pesto. For those of you who still have that Kohlrabi sitting in your fridge (that’s right, I know there are a few of you out there), here is a recipe that will help you put two veggies to use at once.  And if you’re not a fan of Dishing up the Dirt, I encourage you to do a little internet surfing of your own….you will be amazed at how many recipes and culinary help there is out there on the web.  While you’re at it…look up “Collard Wraps”.

Well it’s late already, as we had to wait for the wind to die down in order to cover everything, so I think I’ll leave it there….it may be a rough night for sleep, but here’s hoping for the best tonight.  See you at CSA!

P.S.  We forgot to send out newsletter last night, so we’re happy to report that we did not frost/freeze last night 🙂

 

Todd and the Two Bear Farm Team