CSA for September 13, 2011

 What an odd day!  So lovely the last week and then suddenly, chilly - very chilly this morning.  By noon, the wind was gusting so hard it was hard to stand up straight and walk with a heavy pail of potatoes in each hand!  A tough day to balance harvesting for CSA and getting ready for the impending frost the weather people are predicting!  Picking ripe tomatoes for CSA?  Pick some extra green ones for ripening in the garage!  Picking cucumbers for CSA?  Take everything, 'cause they may be dead by tomorrow!  Who knows?  We're fortunate to be high on a hill, and frost tends to sink to lower areas. (Sorry, Amanda and Ed, Mike and Naomi!)  The predicted 'feels like' temperatures for the next few nights are more than the tender vegetables can take.  Only time will tell......

I had emailed everyone to let you know the basil was ready for harvest.  Basil pesto is quite easy and freezes well for great pasta and other meals all winter!  Here's a super little video with complete instructions for pesto from Sweet Valley Herbs.  Or here's a link for written instructions - very simple.  I could still supply in the next day or two, if you want to give it a try!  You can freeze pesto in ice cube trays, then turn the cubes out into a freezer bag.  Just grab a cube or two when you want to use it.    Or how about a Farm Girl Fare recipe for a tomato, basil, mozzarella pie with an easy cheese crust?  For more great winter meals, here's a great blog post on making Piperade, a blend of peppers, onions, garlic and herbs, that freezes beautiful for quick winter cooking!

Amanda and Ed supplied the gorgeous Spanish white and purple onions today!  They've also sent along three gorgeous cabbages that will be for sale at the Farmers Market - not enough to split for any of the shares, we're sorry to say!  They, too, were scrambling today to harvest before frost, and making those tough decisions on what to spend time on and what to leave.  Of course all gardeners would love to harvest every last bit of produce - but it's not always possible!

Today marks the final share for CSA 2011!  We've now officially spent all your money!  Next week is Bonus Week, a little something extra with the emphasis on winter storage items!  It's a regular pick up and the last Farmers Market next week, except we won't be calling or dropping anything off on Curt's porch if you fail to arrive!  We currently curing potatoes and onions for bigger bags for next week, hardening off some winter squash which should keep for months - if they last that long!  If the frost doesn't get the tomatoes, we'll bring some of those, too!  Any requests for herbs and such for drying, just email!

So, in this week's box, for EVERYBODY:  4 lbs. Eramosa white potato, Spanish and purple onions, bundle of carrots, zucchini, a large Patty Pan (aka.Scallopini) perfect for stuffing, a Sugar Pie pumpkin, a spaghetti squash, 3 lbs of tomatoes, heirloom tomato 'Aunt Ruby's Green', an assortment of cucumbers including 'Lemon Ball'.

Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook for updates on the Farm, links to great cooking recipes, canning and preserving ideas and ideas for living a more sustainable lifestyle!  Also, watch your inboxes for a survey in the next few weeks.  We're going to use Survey Monkey to get your feedback on how this season has been for you!  We really hope you'll take the time to let us know how we can improve CSA!  Enjoy!