CSA for July 26, 2011

Staffer Henry got down-and-dirty
 in the beans before cleaning onions.

A special treat for our CSA members today: we are sooooo happy to have scored some Manitoba Maple Syrup from Oakfarm Industries for everyone!  Now we know it's not veggies, which is what you've signed up for but we love sharing this local product from Portage la Prairie.  How about Maple Syrup Berry Muffins?  The recipe calls for blueberries, but raspberries would be just as good!  Some whole wheat maple oatmeal scones?  A ham with a maple syrup glaze?  A sweet and spicy chicken dinner?  A maple syrup and orange vinaigrette, in this recipe used for a sweet potato salad.  And, of course, the classic pancake: here's my Mom's easy recipe for pancakes.  Linda from Oakfarm Industries got in touch by email today and wanted me to note that she does not tap the trees - it's her partner Mitchell that does all the hard work!  Linda also mentioned barbecuing with maple syrup; she says it's great with salmon, chicken and pork, and she also pointed out that it is a gourmet addition to oil and vinegar dressings.

Linda Boys came up with fennel bulbs for all the Part Shares this week.  Here's our tips for fennel from last weeks' blog, also read the comments to the blog for extra info!  Linda also came up with some beautiful snow peas for the Full Shares.  These are the edible pod peas: eat them whole as a snack, great in a salad or a stir fry!

Everyone is getting a little fresh dill in their box this week.  The feathery fronds will be awesome chopped fine on your new potatoes.  The sweet flavor will also make an excellent veggie dip or dressing:  mix a couple tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt and a couple tablespoons of mayo, chop about two tablespoons of the dill and mix together.  The longer you can let it sit, the better the flavor.  You can also add a little garlic, celery salt and/or celery seed!

Also in every one's box this week is 'Red Mammoth' raspberries.  This is a newer introduction from the U of Saskatchewan, and it is a big, juicy berry with a mellower taste than the 'Boyne' the most of you got last week.  It's a little less tart, more of a honey sweet flavor.  Just so you know - 'Red Mammoth' doesn't freeze very well, tends to crumble so keep these ones for fresh eating.  Would be great on a salad with dill!  Because we were picking during some showers today, I recommend getting the berries out of the little baskets: the damp conditions may allow mold to start in the bottom layers.  Get them out onto a cookie sheet, wax paper or a towel to dry.

A number of little 'first' picks today!  First good pick on the beans.  A few summer squash were found, just enough for the Full Shares, but they're coming!  And Farmer Man cruised our hoop house and found just enough Hungarian Hot Peppers for the Full Shares.  Caution:  if you just chomp one, like Farmer Man did, it's hot!  Remove the seeds for a milder but still vibrant flavor.

So, for the FULL SHARES:  Large (4 lbs.) bag 'Warba' new potatoes, large bag green beans, small bag yellow beans, bundle of onions, 4 pints raspberries, snow peas, zucchini, Hot Hungarian pepper, large bag of Romaine lettuce, bunch of dill, bottle of Manitoba Maple Syrup.

For the PART SHARES:  Small (2 lbs.) bag 'Warba' new potatoes, fennel bulb and foliage, small bag green beans, small bag yellow beans, small bundle onions, 3 pints raspberries, small bag Romaine lettuce, bunch of dill, bottle of Manitoba Maple Syrup.