Happy almost end of August! It's Janet typing here and I just returned to the farm after an unprecedented two weeks away. (One of our children had a unique intensive class in NC. I brought all the kids so Dan could manage farm work without kids, and I managed what I could by text, photos, and Farm Share software.) This was possible because of our rock-star crew who worked hard to download as much as possible from my brain and mimic my physical movements so they could channel my presence here on the farm while I had to be away. There were bumpy moments, but it was a successful experience! Farming is such an interesting line of work and trips away from the farm in the summertime are very challenging. We haven't left for more than a night in the past few summers, and this summer decided we could try having one of us leave while the other stayed on the farm. It was great for each of us to have time away, and it's great to return home and see the time lapse. Plants change so much in 2 weeks!
Look at these carrot seedlings...they hadn't even been seeded when I left.
Fall crops are filling in, largely thanks to the cool weather of the past week. These cabbages are very happy with these conditions!
It's the preserving time of the year! We have Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers in abundant glory right now and you can preserve them to enjoy a few months from now when fresh isn't an option. Can crushed tomatoes, or bloody mary mix, or salsa. Or roast and freeze Tomatoes and/or Sweet Peppers. (We also love to do this with Eggplant.) It's super simple and provides the best flavor for fall and winter soups, stews, casseroles, and more. Water bath canning is not scary! Just follow a recipe carefully, ensure your seals are sealed, and tuck away the harvest to enjoy later.
Fall vegetables will be ready soon, but summer crops are still around for weeks!
Meanwhile, in our greenhouse we're seeding flowers that won't be ready to pick until next spring. That's how far in advance farm work runs! The Okra in the photo below will be looooonnnnngggg gone when we pick those Spring flowers.
Vegetable prep suggestions:
- Dice up Tomatoes and Sweet Bullhorn Peppers and toss with olive oil, garlic, and salt. Maybe also Balsamic vinegar. Put on top of Salads or simply enjoy as its own side dish.
- Use Lettuce leaves as wraps/boats for any assortment of fillings: tunafish, chicken salad, tofu "chicken" salad, egg salad...the list of options is loooong.
- Same for cooler(s) at pick up locations with any cold items that aren't vegetables (tomatoes, eggs, fermented vegetables, etc...)
- Preparation ideas and recipe suggestions are in your email. Also check out our Pinterest Page for lots of recipe ideas, organized by vegetable.
Vacations:
If you will be gone and can't pick up a particular week's share you can reschedule that week's share for a different week in the Harvie software, or you can have a friend or family member pick up for you. Just forward this email to them so they know the details.
Janet, Dan, and the whole Broadfork crew (Julie, Mia, Natalie, Sophie, Magda, S., Zach, and the farm kids)
