I'm quite proud of our multiple fennel crops this year - we've nailed every planting and the result has been lovely fennel available many weeks of this season! I credit our farm crew in part for the success. Fennel suffers if it doesn't receive consistent water, so usually a nice looking fennel crop is the result of diligence in irrigation (which was cared for entirely by our amazing crew). Not to mention weeding!
In the past fennel bumper crops like this would have resulted in cheering from some folks, and groaning from others. I know that some CSA members just don't know how to use fennel, or would rather not have it very often while others really love it. The same could be said for many things we grow, which is why I'm loving our Harvie system. I can put fennel into inventory for many weeks in a row (as I'm about to do) and let the computer and your swaps work things out so that no fennel needs to shrivel in crisper drawers around Metro Vancouver this week! You and I don't need to feel guilty about "too much fennel" because you can substitute something else if it appears in your share. Or swap to get extra fennel - because it is so good! Around 60% of members are customizing their share using swaps!
We still have space for folks to join in on one of 3 shifts of our upcoming Harvest volunteer day. The great pumpkin patch clean up!! Sign up now and join us next week.
The featured winter squash this week is a medley of acorn and delicata. Both are lovely. Acorn, the more familiar of the 2 is a wonderful squash to halve and stuff - bake it face up with a stuffing of rice, sausage, onion and herbs, topped with grated cheese. You can find a recipe or use your imagination. Delicata can be used in the same way, or just drizzle it with butter and a dab of honey for a sweet treat. The skin on delicata squash is thin enough that fresh delicata can be sliced and cooked with - no peeling required, so they are easy to use cubed up in a casserole or soup. They have been called "sweet potato squash" - there are similarities in flavour and texture to this completely unrelated root veggie.
Another new item this week is the mizuna. This is a mild Japanese mustard green. It is a great addition to salads, or use it in a stir fry or soup. It is one of my favourite greens.
For those who ordered, Ambrosia and Aurora apples are coming this week - so exciting!
