Harvest Newsletter, August 2012
Week 9 of 18
Greetings, Members!
Farm News: The rain was once again a relief to the plants in the field and us. We feel fortunate to be in the position we are considering the drought many farmers are experiencing in the Midwest.
The CSA boxes so far have been bountiful and harvest as projected – with the exception of garlic and potatoes, which has been most affected by the changes in weather this year. The onions too, this year will be a lot smaller. The raspberries produced some berries, but not enough to send this year, though this is the first and second year for the plants. We anticipate lots of berries in years to come.
This week’s harvest includes: Beets (Early Wonder), Purple Peppers (Purple Beauty – tastes like green peppers), New Potatoes (Red Norland), Green Beans (Provider), Summer squash (Success and Goldy) and Zucchini (Dunja and Partenon), Patty Pan Summer Squash (saucer-shaped) Cucumbers (Corinto), Basil (Genovese), Tomatoes (Big Beef, Trust, or Cobra), Eggplant (Falcon [purple] or Listada , [white and purple]), green peppers (lipstick and Ace), hot peppers (Jalapeño), red head lettuce (Magenta), romaine lettuce (Paris Island) sage. *Variations from the above list may happen.
Share Box Logistics:
- A reminder to please call us if you have any questions or need a few minutes after the set times to pick up your share box. We can be reached at (507) 720-5364.
- Thanks for returning/leaving the tops to the share boxes.
Recipes and Tips
Start freezing produce/herbs for use in the winter months. Blanche, make a dip/pesto/sauce or direct freeze, pickle and can, there are many options to learn and practice.
What to do with Eggplant?
Lately, Lupita, has been making a basic casserole using the following veggies and sliced thin – eggplant, zukes, and tomatoes, layered with cheese and seasonings, more zukes, eggplant and tomatoes and cheese, seasoned with garlic salt, oregano, basil. Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes, or until top layer is lightly brown and crispy.
Beets
Great raw and shredded, then added to a veggie salad. Can be pickled or even added (shredded) to chocolate cakes or cookies for hidden nutrients. Boiled beets, sliced and seasoned are amazing with Fresh mozzarella cheese and topped with chopped basil.
Sage Tea
A “green” tasting tea with a lemony zing, also will soothe a sore throat.
(from Canning and Preserving Your Own Harvest by Carla Emery & Lorene Edwards Forkner)
Modified Version
- ¼ – ½ cup fresh sage leaves, lightly torn, de-stemmed
- sugar or honey, to taste
- 1 strip lemon zest
- Freshly squeezed juice of ½ or 1 lemon
Bring the water to a boil and add the remaining ingredients. Cover and steep for 30 minutes. Strain and serve hot or over ice. Enjoy immediately.
For visuals if something is unfamiliar in your share box/harvest newsletter check out:
• www.highmowingseeds.com (the column on the left side of the website provides a list of vegetables, etc)
• www.johnnyseeds.com (Product Index)
• www.seedsavers.org (scroll to the bottom, and click on Helpful Links)
Remember to return your box clean and exchange it for the full share box. Thanks in advance!
Happy eating! ~ Lupita, Adam, and Adán
living land farm 