Fresh Fork Market 2012 Summer CSA–week 11

CSA No Responses »
Aug 172012
 

This marks week 11 of our Fresh Fork Market CSA.  It’s hard to believe that we are 1/2 way through the season.

Since I was in Utah earlier in the week, I opted to take a vacation week this week.  Occasionally, I take a vacation week when we are having busy week or if I feel behind on veggies even if I am actually in town on pick up day..  Then, I usually hold my breath and hope that Trevor doesn’t send out the “best bag of the season” list two days later since vacation requests are due on Saturday and the list usually comes out on Monday.

Here’s what folks received in their bags this week:

  • 3# bag red Norland potatoes
  • 1/2 dozen sweet corn
  • 1 bunch leeks (may be 1 leek depending on size)
  • 1 bulb fennel
  • Approx. 1.5 lbs. heirloom tomatoes
  • 2 oz basil
  • Approx. 2 lbs. slicing tomatoes
  • 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
  • Approx. 2 lbs. peaches
  • 1-2 eggplant, depending on size
  • 2 zucchini or squash
  • 1-2 onions
  • 2-3 “Italian frier” peppers (red sweet stuffing peppers)
  • 1 melon – choice of cantaloupe or watermelon
  • 1/2 lb. Swiss chard
  • 1 bulb garlic
  • 1 piece Havarti cheese

I’ve been hearing from other people who do CSAs that they have too much food or are too busy to get it all used.  I can’t say that we are perfect in our house, but we are pretty good at blanching, chopping and freezing items to make sure we don’t waste food when we are particular busy or have an over abundance.

Almost all of the above items could be froze with little effort.  I love pulling items out of the freezer in the middle of winter and getting a taste of fresh local food.

I think every bag is outstanding, but this is a bag that has lots of items that we get on a fairly regular basis.  I am happy with my decision to be on vacation.  With a little luck, I’ll get a photo of a large share tomorrow and add a photo to my post.

Geauga Family Farms–summer week 8

CSA 4 Responses »
Jul 242012
 

Today, I took 4 kids with me to pick up the Geauga Family Farms CSA at Whole Foods.  Since my niece and nephew are here, we had two extra with us.  It was not our smoothest pick up because Aunt Lyn / mommy camp is really wearing out the kids.  Everyone was tired and grumpy.

Here’s what we received in our single share:

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lettuce, patty pan squash

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green pepper, onion

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cherry tomatoes, potatoes

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green beans, fennel

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I was quite happy to see lettuce in the share this week.  We’ve been out since Saturday.  We’ll roast the patty pan squash and stuff it for lunch one day soon.  I like to use some sausage, rice or egg and veggies in a stuffing.

The green pepper will go into our salad and also be used for snacking.  I’m going to probably just chop up the onion and freeze it.  The cherry tomatoes will go to lunch with Stephen the next couple of days.  I’ll probably make some mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner tomorrow.

In 4 years of doing different CSA programs, I received fennel for the first time today.  I’m anxious to read a little about it and pick out a good recipe or two.  I’m hoping that I can find something with ingredients that I already have on hand so I can use it tomorrow!

Other than the fennel, this is a pretty straight forward week.  I’m hoping for fruit next week!