Fall CSA: 2nd Distribution

Good job, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your first fall share. We’ve got another great one, again! Tomatoes are still here, but this is the last time. Make some salsa, or put a thick slice on some bread with a little mayo and salt . . . add an egg and some arugula . . . yum.

We’ve got broccoli this week too! Not a ton, we’ll need to limit the amount per share (you’ll find out tomorrow after we harvest and find out how much we have). This is just the beginning and there should be broccoli in at least the next share, if not the next two.

We did another little video this week, nothing fancy, but we liked the format so we gave it another go. It’s all about carrots because you are getting TWO bunches in the share this week. We did an extra good job growing them this year.

I forgot to mention in there the reason we are cutting the tops off the bunched carrots we are giving out (we bunch them to make it easier for you to pick up your share). 1. We are spraying the tops with a deer repellent that doesn’t taste great to keep the deer form eating all the carrots (and they would, I’ve seen them ruin 1000 lbs of carrots overnight). 2. Even if it weren’t for the deer repellent, the tops are really, really big and we just don’t have enough crates to take up all that space with the tops. I know some of you like to use them, but its either carrots with not tops, or no carrots right now . . . and is an OMRI approved substance, so don’t worry, it’s not toxic, it just tastes bad.

What’s else is in the share?

2 bunches of carrots
1 head of lettuce
1 watermelon (with trade options)
1 pint of shallots/garlic combo

Bunch/Head/Herb Choice (5 items)
Sweet Turnips
Radish
Kale
Bok Choy (really nice right now)
Arugula
Frisee
Collards
Pea Tendrils
Napa Cabbage
An Extra Head of Lettuce
Dill
Cilantro
Scallion
Thyme
Oregano

9 Pounds Mix and Match:
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Onions, Red and Yellow
Acorn Squash
Delicata Squash (probably the last time)
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
Green Peppers
Leeks
Purple Top Turnips
Beets
Rutabaga
Kohlrabi

Jess’s Recipes

STEAK FRIED RICE WITH LEEKS AND CARROTS

This stir fry is loaded with veggies and quick enough for an easy weeknight meal. Swap out the steak for chicken or tofu or leave it out entirely. I recommend making a double batch and adding an extra drizzle of soy sauce when you heat up the leftovers.

CIDER BRAISED CHICKEN WITH APPLES AND KALE

This is one of my favorite fall meals. I love that you can make the whole thing in one big skillet!

SWEET POTATO AND TURNIP SWIRL

Turnips can be a tough sell, especially if you have kids but even the kids will love them mashed up with sweet potatoes, ginger and orange zest. This would make a great side dish for Thanksgiving too!

DELICATA SQUASH AND KALE TOASTS

These little toasts make a great appetizer, snack or as a tasty side dish with a hearty fall soup.

RADISH-CARROT SLAW WITH TOASTED SESAME DRESSING

Try out this delicious Asian slaw but don’t toss those radish tops! Radish greens are peppery, like arugula, and are delicious in a salad or you can make them into a pesto or sauté them with a little olive oil and garlic.

WATERMELON SHERBET

Looking for something different to do with your watermelon? Here’s a 3 ingredient sherbet that doesn’t require an ice cream maker.

CARROTY MAC AND CHEESE

Lots of carrots for everyone this week! We made this twist on mac & cheese a few weeks ago with some of our carrots and it was a big hit! The carrots get grated up and look just like shredded cheese (just in case your kids are like mine and are not a fan of cooked carrots).

CRISPY MUSTARD CHICKEN WITH FRISEE

I love the look and taste of frisee but have a hard time passing off “salad” to my children. I always love when I find a recipe that incorporates the greens into the main course like this one. 

STUFFED WINTER SQUASH

This is the PERFECT CSA recipe. It’s super versatile, you can use a variety of squashes, a variety of greens and it also uses leeks and sage and has some grains in there as well. It’s a complete meal in a squash!

USES FOR HERBS & HERB LOADED CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

If you’ve got loads of herbs on hand try something new! Try grabbing a variety of them and chopping them up into your eggs or toss them with your salad greens to shake up your typical salad. If you’ve got more than you can eat right now try an herb butter or pesto that you can freeze to use later. Or try out this recipe – it is chicken noodle soup season after all!

CRISPY SMASHED BEETS WITH GOAT CHEESE

These sound SOOOO good! Tart balsamic vinegar, bright rosemary and creamy goat cheese all combined with crispy beets? Sign me up!

AUTUMN KALE SALAD WITH SWEET POTATOES, BROWN RICE AND BROCCOLI

OK – ONE more. Can you tell I love the fall share? This is another one that uses up lots of share ingredients. I’ll be adding some rotisserie chicken to this and making a meal out of it.