Today, I had a rare pick up without the kids.  I had been at a doctor appointment and headed up to the high school from there.  It was strange.  I havemixed feelings about today’s bag.  I have “go to” uses for so many of our CSA items, but mustard greens, mixed greens (braising?) and Napa cabbage are not included.  But, there are many items like cider, beans, squash, cheese, apples, etc. that I am excited to see.

IMG_5638

Here’s what we were expecting to receive:

  • 1 head Napa cabbage
  • 1 8 oz. chunk pepper Havarti
  • 1 bunch mustard greens
  • 1 lb. black beans
  • 1 half lb. mixed greens
  • 1 head broccoli
  • 1 acorn squash
  • 1 half gallon apple cider
  • 1 quarter peck Empire Red apples
  • 1 bunch collard greens
  • 1 butternut squash
  • 2 ct. red peppers
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 head leaf lettuce
  • 1 package, 1.25 lb., Andouille sausage (Smokey, Spanish sausage)

I roasted lots of butternut squash this week.  I think I’ll save this one for a few days and then try the squash/bean burritos that I read about last week.

IMG_5639IMG_5640

The local broccoli is always delicious.  I’ll use it for a side dish soon.  I love that we received purple cauliflower.  It is really bright and fun!

IMG_5641IMG_5642

Pepper cheese is not usually my favorite, but this cheese is really good.  I’m probably going to have it with eggs.  The lettuce is very crisp looking and also a really small head.  It will make one individual salad.

IMG_5643IMG_5644

I haven’t made my stuff acorn squash yet this season.  This might just be the week for it.  The peppers will get chopped for salads.

IMG_5645IMG_5646

Apples tend to disappear without any work.  We put the sausage in the freezer.  I see some more of the sweet potato hash in our future.  The kids thought it was too spicy, but Stephen and I can eat it for lunches.

IMG_5647IMG_5648

I’m too tired to think much about the greens.  I read up on mustard greens, so I am a little less afraid of them.  But, I still don’t know what my plan will be.  We get these bagged mixed greens often, so I need to figure out a way to use them.  I just think they are bitter.

IMG_5649IMG_5650

I’ll probably chop the collards and cook them with taco meat.  I have no idea about the Napa cabbage, so I need to look at that one on line.

IMG_5651IMG_5652

I’m surprised that the cider has been here for several hours and is still unopened.  Nick, Sally and Stephen will love it.  It’s too sweet for me.

IMG_5653

Weeks like this leave me in awe with the huge variety of items that we can obtain locally.

I have a full day tomorrow and then Sunday will be “use the greens day”.

 

Yesterday, we picked up week 22 of the summer Fresh Fork CSA.  It was the last pick up.  I’m glad that the winter CSA starts next week.  We received a few higher dollar items, so we didn’t have as many different things.  That was fine with me.

Here’s what we were expecting to receive this week:

Small CSA:

  • 1 pack of Berkshire pork chops, center cut and boneless. Approx. 1 to 1.25 lbs.
  • 1 quart farmstead yogurt
  • 8 oz. aged cheddar cheese, pepper Havarti ,or Havarti cheese
  • 1 head Napa cabbage
  • 1 quarter peck Jonagold apples
  • 1 bag of mixed salad/braising greens
  • 2 count butternut squash

Here’s a group shot:

IMG_6520

The Berkshire pork chops are one of our favorite items from Fresh Fork.  We’ll bake them in the oven with spices and apples for a yummy dinner.

IMG_6516IMG_6513

I’ve only had Napa cabbage one other time.  I’m not sure what fate it will have.  Spaghetti squash was substituted for the butternut squash.  I was hoping for butternut.  We like spaghetti squash ok, but it’s not our favorite and it’s less versatile.

IMG_6511IMG_6512

The mixed green will probably go into salad.  If not, we can sauté them.  We were out of yogurt and there wasn’t any on the truck last week, so we were happy to see it expected this week.

IMG_6509IMG_6515

Cheese is always a bit hit in our house.  This is aged cheddar and we can’t wait to try it.

IMG_6517

We picked up an extra yogurt ($5) and a bag of honey puffed spelt ($3) while we were there.

IMG_6515IMG_6518

I’m excited to have a slower week in terms of items that have to be used right away.  I’m recovering from a badly bruised knee and a little less kitchen time will be a good thing for a few days.