[CSA Update] Welcome to week 6

After weeks of going without, the crunch we all love is finally back. Yes, it's time for lettuce picking in August!

The sheer joy that comes from lettuce picking is hard to put into words. Imagine a field blanketed with the vibrant green of fresh lettuce, the morning dew making each leaf sparkle in the early sunlight. It's a sight that only a handful of folks get to see.

It all starts with the planting, which I do in the early spring days before the fear of frost has passed. I stagger the plantings so that the lettuce doesn't have to suffer the high heat of July. I plant in batches and in different fields so that the lettuce is ready, as the weather gives a little relief to the plants. It is a labor-intensive process that starts with seeding a small tray in my greenhouse. I grow those seeds into a two-inch tall transplant. I lay a plastic barrier with an irrigation water line underneath a tractor. I then go back over that barrier and punch holes for the ideal spacing of the lettuce pulled behind my tractor. I then walk bent at a 90-degree angle, carrying one tray of transplants in one hand, and using the other hand, I plant the lettuce under the barrier in the hole and continue. Each transplant turns into a head of lettuce, each head lovingly planted by hand, just as my grandfather did all those years ago.

The care extends to picking as well. Each head demands a gentle touch and a careful twist. It's a labor of love, but one that brings immense satisfaction.

You'll see lettuce and tomatoes in your share coming up.

Lettuce and tomatoes do not a salad make.

Well, not just a salad anyway.

A world of culinary adventures beyond the salad bowl is waiting to be explored. Tacos, wraps, nachos, soups, and our star of the day - waffle sliders!

Drop the notion of predictable salads and introduce the delightful charm of waffle sliders with a twist. It's like a BLT but use the waffle as the bun with those tomatoes and lettuce.

Here's a step-by-step, no-fail recipe to create your very own waffle sliders at home:

1. Start with the waffles. Yes, we're going the extra mile and making them from scratch! Follow your favorite waffle recipe but hold back on the sugar. We're aiming for something more neutral, not too sweet or savory.
2. Next, the fillings. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, a strip or two of crispy bacon, and a generous drizzle of your favorite sauce. Play around with the fillings!
3. Assemble your sliders! You've just created a culinary masterpiece!

So, the next time you munch on a piece of fresh lettuce from your share, remember, you're not just supporting local produce, you're also treating yourself to the freshest and healthiest choice there is.

Keep it local, keep it fresh!