Hello Members!
Well, August has brought us rain and more rain! We are so thankful to not have to worry about water for a little bit! And now that it is waning summer (I know, I know- we are just getting into tomatoes and corn but it is true!) we will not have to think or worry about irrigating quite so much as many of the crops are established or done anyways and the fall crops have really gotten rooted in well with these last few rains.
The pigs are growing well out in the fallow fields, the cows are so happy ( or at least that is how we are reading their casual, content natures lately!) that it is cooler and the grasses are green and not brown! Our 2nd round of birds go to butcher in a couple weeks and the 3rd and final round of baby chicks arrive this Tuesday!
We do have Whole Chickens for sale! They range in size from 3.5-6.5 lbs so we have 2 different size options for add on to the CSA. You can also sign up for a larger amount to be delivered separately from CSA, in 5 bird increments. Check it out HERE!
It's grilling time! Get yourself some brats, chops, steaks and hot dogs to go with your kebobs and sweet corn! We made really awesome onion, pepper, steak and shiitake skewers this weekend with a sesame, soy marinade. Order from the add-on extras to your CSA box!
We still have plenty of room for Fall Share Sign Ups!
We will have all the fall/winter veggies you could want like winter squash, onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, salad greens, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, carrots, beets, cabbages, potatoes and more!
Mushroom Share Members:
This week we have oyster mushrooms for you. Our recipe suggestion is Basil Gnocchi and Oyster Mushrooms: https://northwoodmushrooms.
How are these “regular” oysters different from the King Oysters you got several weeks ago? These have a smaller stem (which is edible!) and they’re not quite as firm King Oysters. Oyster mushrooms are delicate and mild with a hint of anise. Their shelf-life isn’t as long as the sturdier mushrooms, so don’t let them sit too long!
Another recipe we really like for Oysters is bruschetta (https://northwoodmushrooms.
Enjoy!
This week in the box you may see (we will update by Wednesday with recipes and descriptions):
There are quite a few extra items in inventory this week, so remember you can swap, customize, add and change your box!!!
Sweet Corn- Seize the summer! If this is too much corn for you and your family, you can easily and quickly cut the kernels off the cob and throw them in small freezer bags for winter soups, cornbread, etc. No need to par boil first, but you can if you want. Make sure to keep the cron refrigerated and eat or freeze soon for highest sugar content and less starchiness.
Watermelons!- Somehow we had a nice melon harvest this year! Being that melons are a desert plant it does not need much water to do well. However, these last couple rains really made for watery almost overripe melons. Keep them refrigerated as they will continue to ripen faster on the counter.
Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint
Bell Pepper- We wish we could give you more than one, but the yields are not what we would like although the plants look awesome. We are thinking blossom drop earlier on due to excessive heat. There are some really nice ones turning color in the hoophouse we will be giving out soon. Peppers really area September veggie, as that is when they ripen up.
Garlic- 1 bulb, at this point it is pretty well and cured down so it will store for a long time.
Green Cabbage- Not the prettiest cabbage you ever did see. So many of them rotted and split in the field after all the rains. So some got 2 small ones and others got one larger one. Keeps well in the fridge in a plastic bag.
Celery bunch- Instead of a full celery bulb, we have made some bunches of the outer largest leaves. use as you would normal celery.
Basil- Very damaged from bugs this year, so we recommend using this for pesto, as its leaves are a little tough but still have the basil flavor. Do not refrigerate, wash right before use.
Ground Cherries- Eat right out of the pint! Can be stored for a long time on the counter. Sweet and a great snack for kiddos.
Tomatoes, heirloom and red slicers- Lots of tomatoes! Keep on Counter, slice and freeze. Make a quick salsa with garlic, pepper, onion and spice.
Cucumbers- Waning now, so not quite as many. Use in a salad or salsa or make quick pickles.
Summer Squash/Zucchini- Also waning, probably the last week for these. Maybe you are not sad?!!
Broccoli- A nice new harvest this week!
Eggplant- Basil Roasted Eggplant with Heirloom Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Snake in the corn!
Cherry tomatoes are looking good!
Buckwheat cover crop is flowering- so great for pollinators, pigs, soil, moisture retention, runoff prevention, carbon, phosphorous scavenging, and just look at it!!!
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Shallot harvest went well- we only wholesale these as they are a specialty crop that is expensive to buy, hard to grow, yield less than onions and are worth quite a lot per lb. But since we had quite a nice harvest, we are offering them as extra add-on so you can add and lb or 2 if you want to!!
Next week?
watermelon
Cantaloupe?
Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Pepper
Hot Pepper
Cucumber?
Onions
Garlic?
Sweet Corn
Broccoli
Herb Bunch
Eggplant
Potatoes?
Tomatillos
Have a great week!!!
Your farmers
