Farm Happenings for May 15, 2020

Welcome to our second week of our CSA season! This week we have our cabbage, blue kale, salad mix and so many herbs to choose from. Below is a list of the herbs we have and ways you can use them fresh or dry for later. We offer fresh herbs and also have dried basil and dried sage from last year’s crop. Cilantro: Can be tossed fresh into a salad or salsa. It tastes great when added to rice as it cooks. It can also be sautéed with veggies. If you eat meat, it is really good with chicken or fish. My personal favorite is to pair it with lime, Spanish seasonings and make a rice and bean dish. Parsley: can be eaten fresh. Parsley is good to clear the palate between different dishes. Often times it is used as garnish on a plate but tastes very good in soups and spaghetti sauces. Sage: Sage is really good to cook with especially on potatoes or in pasta dishes. Many will use a sage marinade for their chickens or tofu. It can also be a natural air purifier if burned in the home as incense. Its scent is really good at clearing odors and freshening up the home. It’s also a natural insect/pest repellent. Thyme: Thyme is a strong, savory season that is often found in soups and spaghetti sauces. If patient, one could infuse a bottle of olive oil to use on veggie sautés or as salad dressing. To infuse, crush the herb to release the flavor properties and put in a dark glass bottle. Fill with preferred oil and keep in a dark space for 2 weeks. The longer it sits, the stronger the flavor. This method can be used with all herbs and each have great benefits for natural health. Spearmint: great for teas and infusing water for a natural flavor. Can be dried and crushed for salves or infused in oils to make household cleaners. I use mint mixed with tea tree oil 10-15 drops each) in a water bottle to freshen my fabrics and it is safe to use on hair/self as a natural bug repellent. Chocolate Mint: a very strong mint that also has a natural sweetness to it. It is great for teas and infusing water. Savory: We have a small amount of Savory growing right next to our thyme. It is also really good to cook savory dishes, hence the name. Catnip: This herb is a favorite with cats but is also known to be great in teas for relaxing muscles and as a digestive aid. Store herbs like picked flowers. When someone gets fresh-picked flowers, they put them in a vase with water. Doing this and keeping them in cool temps on the counter or in the fridge will help them to last longer. To dry, I hang them upside down in a bunch and wait about 3 days before crushing them into a storage container, preferably glass.