[CSA Update] Welcome to week 2

Your basket is full of variety this week. The fields love the change in weather, away from the hot baking days into the warm nights and comfortable days. September is full of change. Over the years, September has marked the return to school, which marks the change in home schedules, return to sports (or not and finding a new way to keep the kids active), return to longer work schedules, and a whole host of new activities to fit into routines. September also holds the last day of summer on the 22nd. The fields do not stop producing in the fall - I stagger planting many crops to harvest right up to the frosts of October. I am out in the fields monitoring and harvesting every day; there is a ton out there to enjoy.

Folks that like celery should be celebrating this week - it made it! Celery is such a water loving crop I have been extremely cautious about it's progress. Here is what you need to know about my celery - it's FRESH. Everything is fresh in your basket, yes it is. But celery is a whole new vegetable when it is fresh picked. You can eat the stalk and the leaves! Just be aware that it has strong flavor - so start any recipe with half of the requirement for celery until you taste it and then add to it as you like. Don't toss away the leaves - make pesto from them! Toss the leaves into making mashed potatoes or even baked potatoes - it lightens the flavor and gives it brightness. Celery sticks travel very well in packed lunches as you know - and the little forgotten bits that you find in a week that are lurking in the back of the veggie drawer can make a light celery soup if you have a little cream around. Have some great meals this week, and we'll keep growing!