I love greenhouse growing (in fall, winter and spring). I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m a control freak and I am allowed a little more control than in the field. We have a really nice crop of spinach, lettuce and frisee/escarole we are “banking” for the last distribution (next week). Believe it or not, all your greens this week will come from the field. We did rush to harvest some before the snow, and some we kept under row cover, and then under piles of heavy snow, but they will come out ok.
When temps get below 28, like they did Saturday morning, that’s when we start to lose crops that are otherwise somewhat cold hardy. But a nice insulating layer of snow can go a really, really long way in protecting those crops from the cold. It hadn’t all melted yesterday when I was at the farm, but I feel pretty confident that everything we left in the field will be ok.
And sweeter! The colder it gets the sweeter our fall veggies get. Plants that can “overwinter” begin creating and storing more sugars when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. These sugars, which plants as energy when things warm up and the plants convert to seed creating growth in spring. We, however, intercept these plants while still full of sugar (and vitamins and minerals and fiber).
You know what else is sweet? A functioning democracy. Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday. If you can’t make it to pick up because you are voting or volunteering, please just send kevin@upswingfarm.com an email and we can arrange an alternative pick up. The easiest option for us is for you to come to Weston Nurseries on Thursday, 12pm-5pm, but we also have offers from members to deliver shares, or you might be able to pick up at a few other locations.
Tuesday temps are going to drop down to 26 at night from a high of 40. I’m not sure when we will hit “freezing” but as most of you know, our produce doesn’t like to be at less than 32 degrees after harvested. We encourage Tuesday members to come before 5pm this week, but we will be there until 6, as usual.
It’s another great few weeks to be eating local produce. We’ve got great variety in the share and we hope you enjoy it. Our potatoes, coming form Sparrow Arc Farm are here abundantly. Harvest was slowed for them, the rain that didn’t rain all summer to help the crops grow came in a deluge during harvest, slowing down the process and delaying delivery. We were fine to wait.
We love being patient and understanding. It feels WAY better than being demanding and disappointed. Kindness and understanding provide generosity and flexibility but requires little more than grace and patience. We are so grateful to all our customers and community members who are patient and understanding with us.
Jess has some great recipes this week, but I just wanted to add one that I’m really into right now:
Fennel, watermelon radish and shallot salad
One bulb fennel
One watermelon radish (peeled)
One small shallot, or half a shallot
1 tsp balsamic
1TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP orange juice or 1 tsp lemon on lime juice
1 tsp honey
Lettuce, pea tendrils or other salad greens
Instructions: Chop fennel, radish and shallot very finely, but allow for “longer” pieces, no need to dice. Toss with dressing ingredients and serve on top of salad greens, or mix with salad greens.
We hope you enjoy your veggies!!!!
What’s in the share:
brussels sprouts: (roughly 1 quart)
potatoes: 3-4 pounds
mix and match 3-4 pounds: small cabbage, beets, rutabaga, sweet turnips, fennel, green peppers, watermelon radish
carrots: 1 bunch
lettuce heads/mix: (depends on yield)
pea tendrils: 1 bag
herb choices 2: cilantro, parsley, baby celery, thyme, sage, oregano
leeks: 1 pound
shallots/garlic pint
greens choice, choose 1: escarole, frisee, tatsoi (like a combo between spinach and bok choy), sugar loaf chicory
sweet potatoes, squash or pumpkins mix and match
Recipes
| SIMPLE LEEK FRITTATA | https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/simple-leek-frittata | Perfect for breakfast or a quick weeknight meal. |
| CHICKEN WITH CREAMY DILL AND LEEK SAUCE | http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252715/chicken-with-creamy-dill-leek-sauce/ | Whenever I see leeks, I think of this recipe. This is my favorite way to roast chicken. Not only is it super easy but it makes a whole meal in one roasting pan (although I usually add a salad as well). As an added bonus, cooking the chicken on a base of veggies keeps it from splattering grease all over the oven, causing massive quantities of smoke to pour out of the oven and setting off your fire alarms. While this is a great way to ensure that your family knows it’s time for dinner, I prefer the quieter method used in this recipe. |
| 20 LEEK RECIPES THAT ARE LIKE “ONIONS WHO?” | https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/23-favorite-leek-recipes-like-onions | Leeks have a more delicate and slightly sweeter flavor than onions – these recipes really highlight their amazing flavors. |
| CREAMY MASHED POTATOES | https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/our-favorite-creamy-mashed-potatoes | Looking for the perfect mashed potato recipe? Look no further. They recommend using a ricer but they’re still delicous if you mash them by hand. |
| SWEET POTATO VEGGIE BURGERS | https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/vegan-sweet-potato-burgers/ | These veggie burgers happen to be vegan as well (but I don’t like to put that in the name because it scares people away). They’re DELICIOUS. |
| ESCAROLE SALAD WITH RED QUINOA AND HAZELNUTS | https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/escarole-salad-red-quinoa-and-hazelnuts | The honey vinaigrette and apple contrast beautifully with the slightly bitter escarole and the quinoa adds some protein making this perfect for a light lunch or dinner side. |
| APPLE, CARROT & CABBAGE CHOPPED SALAD | http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252998/apple-carrot-cabbage-chopped-salad/ | This colorful autumn slaw has a hint of cinnamon and orange. |
| SAUSAGE MEATBALL SANDWICHES WITH FENNEL | https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sausage-meatball-sandwiches | These meatball subs are a step above any meatball sub you’ve ever had before. The sauteed fennel in the sauce and the simple basil sauce really take it to the next level. |
| CREAMY ROOT VEGETABLE STEW WITH GRUYERE CROSTINI | https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-root-vegetable-stew-with-gruyre-crostini | Whenever I see rutabaga, I think of this recipe. Surprisingly hearty for a vegetable stew and the gruyere crostini with fresh rosemary are scrumptious! |
| WATERMELON RADISH 411 | https://www.peelwithzeal.com/watermelon-radish-recipes/ | Everything you ever need to know about watermelon radishes! How to store them, how to cook them, and even how to make a cocktail with them! |
Upswing Farm 