This past week was such a nice reprieve from the hot weather we've been having. The cooler and overcast mornings are perfect for harvesting and getting field work done. Our main focus this week was regaining control of our East Plot. We weeded, planted out the remaining empty beds with our fall brassicas and trellised our tomatillos. The plot looks so good! This is a new plot that we began cultivating this Spring. The soil is so rich and nutrient dense, and everything we've planted in the East Plot has been doing so well! Grass is the major "weed", along with morning glory also known as bindweed. Our main technique to get rid of both is physically removing it from the field. Bindweed must be thrown in the trash and the grass we feed to our chickens!
What's Growing
Kale, Chard, Green Onions, Lettuce, Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Potatoes, Lavender, Beets, Carrots, Parsley, Basil, Broccoli, Tomatillos, Broccoli Raab, Zinnias, Cosmos, Snap Dragon's, Stock, Phlox, Amaranth, Celosia, Dahlia's
Kitchen Notes
Being a CSA member and cooking go hand in hand. Even though many of the veggies in each share can be consumed raw, it's fun to transform them into a meal! I love to cook and making food with others is one of my most cherished pastimes. We all need to eat! And eating yummy, local and seasonal food with loved ones is such a joy. Being vegan/vegetarian for the last 10 years until recently, I feel most comfortable making plant based meals. I tend to be a freestyle cook, but sometimes it's nice to find inspiration from other people. These are my favorite cookbooks and online blogs to reference.
Ottolenghi - Try his Broccoli with Tahini recipe
The Minimalist Baker - Try her zucchini pasta with lentil bolognese sauce
The Vegan Richa - Try her grain free carrot, banana bread
The New York Times - They have some free recipes on their website, but for a small fee you can have unlimited access to lots of amazing recipes! Here's a recipe for grilled vegetables
I LOVE pickles!! Especially during the summer months. They are a crisp, crunchy and cool snack perfect for summertime. Quick pickles are so easy to make, there's no canning involved just make a yummy brine, do a little chopping and let sit in the fridge for a week +. Here's some helpful tips to make your own refrigerator pickles.
Local Spotlight
This week I'd like to feature our pick-up locations that support our CSA program.
The EarthSpace PDX, 4135 SE Gladstone St. Portland, OR 97202:
"Founded in 2020 by Portland-based organizations, Conscious Growth and Commons PDX, EARTH Space PDX was established to provide members of the greater Portland community a space to come together around art, education, resilience, trade and healing. We serve as a community center, event venue, art studio, art gallery and community market. "
Usually during pick-up hours the EarthSpace's Art Gallery is open. All are welcome so be sure to stop in and check out some local artists! They also offer workshops, yoga and various events. More details can be found on their website.
Heathen Brewing and Taproom, 2225 NE 119th Street, Suite#109 Vancouver, WA 98686
The owner of Heathen also owns the property that Flat Tack and Sprout & Blossom Farm operate on. Heathen is a big supporter of the farms and we are so grateful for it. Their taproom, which is one of our pick-up locations is open on Thurs/Fri 4:00-7:00pm and Saturday 1:00-7:00pm for tastings. You can also visit Feral Public House downtown which is part of Heathen Brewing. Feral offers food, drinks and a great patio!
The Vancouver Farmer's Market, 605 Esther St, Vancouver, WA 98660 (Every Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm & Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm)
The Vancouver Farmer's Market is the biggest market in Vancouver. It is home to over 250 vendors and has a wide variety of goods. You will find local produce, flowers, baked good, speciality items, jewelry, home goods, and the list goes on and on! It's a great place to do your food shopping for the week, while also supporting local entrepreneurs/businesses.
Some of our favorite booths to visit are Silagy Sauce, Blackbird Alchemy, Sweetwater Apothecary, Finca Farm & Pantry, Mundus Foods, Colombia River Sourdough and SOMA Kombucha
Every Saturday we have a booth at the Vancouver Farmers Market. You can also visit us during our Farm Stand Hours every Friday 3:00-6:00pm at the farm. Come stop by and say hey!! We would love to connect with you all!
Hope you all enjoy the this weeks Bounty,
Lyndsay
(and the rest of the Flat Tack and Sprout & Blossom Farm Crew)
