It was a smoky last week at the farm - as it was all over the region, but we don't have the option of escaping indoors when there are greens to harvest. My heart goes out to farmers (and others) trying to keep up with essential farm tasks in thick smoke or threat of fire and evacuation. Most of the crew wore masks to work outside, and some of found that the conditions were affecting their breathing and productivity. I imagine it affects the plants too - sunlight is pretty key to good ripening of fruit.
The air quality has improved, the summer has officially ended, and the first heavy rain of fall started about an hour ago (it is 6 AM as I write this). The last 5 weeks of the CSA will feature different winter squash each week. This week it is spaghetti squash. This is perhaps the "plainest" of the winter squashes we grow. Many of the squashes are stunning and ornamental - some ride on their good looks, but we always choose our squash varieties based on flavour first and looks second. Most of the time it is desirable for winter squash to cook to a smooth, thick texture - stringy is not good for pumpkin pie or soups. But stringy is the thing when it comes to spaghetti squash. It should have a slightly sweet, nutty flavour. It can be baked or boiled and then the flesh is scooped out with a fork and used as a pasta substitute. Try it with pesto, tomato or alfredo sauce.
Sauerkrauts are available for purchase this week - 3 types in 2 sizes. These are fresh, fermented products, created by our farm team from ingredients grown on our farm! Limited quantities now, but we'll be making another batch for the end of the seaon.
"Deluxe" = cabbage, carrots, kale, onion, garlic, kohlrabi
"Dilly kraut" = cabbage, onion, garlic, dill
"Kraut chi" = Green and red cabbage, ginger, onion, garlic, hot peppers, carrots (this batch is gingery, but lower in pepper spice)
Tomatoes are tapering off, as are cukes and zukes, but peppers are going strong and will be regulars in the next few weeks. The highlight of our September crops has been broccoli - abundant and beautiful heads and lovely "side shoots" (aka broccolini) which are labour intensive to harvest but provide lots of broccoli flavour. Hope you enjoy all the goodness!
