You just never know when the summer squash is going to start going...until it does. And it did this week! So while you won't see any zucchini or patty pans in your boxes this week, expect them for the next delivery. And then they'll be regular features for most of the rest of the season. We will have some summer squash at market tomorrow, and remember that as CSA members, you can ask Rudy (or whoever happens to be at the pick up table) if you'd like something from the market area, rather than waiting in line -- just a perk of being a member! The best news about summer squash is that we pick them small. They are optimum at a small size in taste and texture and don't even need to be peeled (Bonnie thinks the peel is the best part). A fun fact about summer squash is that many were cultivated by Native Americans for the main purpose of harvesting the large seeds in a fully developed squash. So the super large 'submarines' that we all find out in our gardens were not so much designed to have excellent fresh eating quality, but to grow a lot of large seeds quickly. Luckily we have found ways to make use of them anyway (zucchini breads, cakes, etc.), but it really doesn't get much better than fresh picked summer squash at the ideal small size!
It's looking like an extremely hot week ahead, so we will be focused on getting crops harvested early. Crops tend to hold up much better when they're harvested during cool temperatures, especially leafy greens. But also because some very dense heavy crops (like cabbages, squash, broccoli) can hold a lot of field heat if harvested in the afternoon. It's amazing how much several boxes of 'afternoon cabbage' brought into the walk in cooler can raise the overall temperature for a bit. We'll also be keeping a close eye on our irrigation systems. We'll want to make sure all of our timers are working properly and our filters stay clean and don't slow down the flow by being clogged with sand or silt. The plants won't like it so hot, but they should be ok and very glad to see cooler temps later next week!
Speaking of being ok through the hot weather...remember to stay hydrated and out of the sun for at least some of the day! We hope you all have a good weekend and hopefully find some cold water to be around for the hot spell. I know we'll be searching some out in the afternoons! Look forward to seeing you all at pick up this week!
Cheers, Rudy & Bonnie
