Full Share: Salad mix, Carrots, Cauliflower, Little Gem lettuces (2), Cucumbers, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Beans/Shishitos/or eggplant, and Spring Onions

Partial Share: Carrots, Little Gem lettuce, Sungold Tomatoes, Cucumber, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, and Cauliflower

Hello CSA members!

Week twelve is a temptress. It’s more than halfway to the end of the CSA season for the farm, and it’ easy for the crew each year to think they are over the hump. But that hump was a false summit. Poundage-wise, most of the food we grow is still out in the field and will need to be harvested. Not to mention, the markets are getting busier and busier, and will stay this way for at least another month. And then there’s the garlic harvest. And the Stock-Up Sale. No, now is not the time to slacken the pace or let one’s mind wander to the future. Now is the time to dig in and engage! This is peak farming season.

As a sign that things are in full swing at the farm, we fired up the barrel washer today for bulk carrots. By the end of the week, they will be gracing the shelves of Mountain Valley Foods, as well as Third Street Market, in case anyone runs out and is in need.

If I were to put together a CSA share based on what we have in abundance, you would all be receiving 6 heads of cauliflower this week. Holy cow, we are swimming in it. But I would never do that 🙂 We do have some summer crops that are really taking their time getting up to harvest speed (yes, I’m looking at you Sungold Tomatoes. And you, green beans. And you, Shishito peppers, hiding over there behind the buckwheat). Why can’t you all be like your neighbors, zucchini and yellow squash? This week we owe tomatoes to the partial shares, and we will be making a game time decision on some of these other items based on what’s ready. Some people might see eggplant, some will see beans, and some will see peppers. What fun!

Lastly, my annual public service announcement on vegetable storage. I’ll keep it short. Your refrigerator is a big, cold dehydrator. If you put unprotected vegetables in it, it will suck the moisture right out of them in a matter of a day or two. Yep, even the carrots. No one likes a limp carrot. So, to maximize the life and quality of your vegetables, we suggest putting any non-bagged items in Tupperware, ziplock bags, or spare plastic bags before putting them in the fridge. Except the tomatoes…..you never want to store your tomatoes in the fridge, or in plastic….on the kitchen counter is a better choice.

This weeks recipe is a new twist….Little Gem lettuce. These miniature Bibb/romaine lettuces are popular with chef’s for grilling. Yep, grilled lettuce (please do not try this with your salad mix). Take a look at this recipe. I don’t expect you to make your own blue cheese dressing, but, I thought the photos of the grilling and the final product give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. If grilling it doesn’t seem like you thing, don’t worry, it is fine eaten as a regular salad. Or a fancy, regular salad, like this.

It looks like a beautiful weather forecast this week….I hope you’re all getting out to enjoy it! See you at CSA pickup!

Todd