2022 CSA Farm Update: Week 10
The dry weather continues on the farm, but the intense summer heat has dissipated for the time being, giving us a moment to catch our breath and enjoy the cooling breezes. This past week, the farm was host to a lovely barbeque for the Great Performances team and their families. The air was filled with the smells of a summer cookout, the laughter of children, and the good cheer of many people who made their way upstate for a day on the farm. This week also brings on the first of the sweet peppers into the CSA shares. Overall, they seem a little more shy in bearing fruit this year, but sometimes they surprise us by producing heavily in September. We shall see!
One of our crops that is not that shy this year are the tomatoes. Last year’s crop was nearly drowned in all the rain, but this year’s dryer weather is producing tomatoes with the wonderful flavor that can only come about when the plants have to put their roots further in the soil to find the water. Sometimes we find tomato roots stretching three feet away from the plants into our pathways as they struggle to quench their thirst. Just thinking about how much effort it is for a plant to be able to “stretch” is quite humbling. It is not simply a matter of moving one’s limbs and then relaxing. The plant has to grow towards what it needs. This can take days, weeks, months of “moving” towards its needs in all types of weather. In the case of tomatoes, all this effort produces the fruits that we enjoy so much; and hopefully inspiring us to stretch a little.
Until next time,
Farmer Jon
WEEKLY HARVEST INCLUDES*
*We try our best to provide the most accurate CSA list in the newsletter! However, there’s always a chance of last minute substitutions in some bags if we don’t harvest enough of a vegetable.
DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY
There are so many things to do with garlic, it's hard to know where to begin with this week's recipe inspiration! Often one of the first ingredients we reach for when preparing a meal, did you know that garlic's flavor depends on how it's prepared? Allicin is a nutrient found in members of the allium family, especially garlic, and is responsible for the odor and pungency of garlic. The more you slice, chop, and crush garlic, the more allicin is released; cooking it mellows the flavor.
From mellow to zesty, check out these recipes featuring garlic and other items from your bags!
Making Garlic Confit is easy and is a 2-for-1 recipe! You'll get both garlic olive oil and soft, sweet, nutty garlic cloves from this recipe, perfect for spreading on bread or using in our Eggplant Meatballs!
Try these Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, perfect in a pasta salad, on a hot pasta dish, or even spread on crostini
Switch up your garlic prep and slice instead of mincing when using in stir fries like this Eggplant and Green Bean Stir Fry (use garlic in place of the green garlic, and adapt using your peppers and other CSA produce)
GP Embrace has a delicious Carrot Noodle dish, perfect as a side or for a light lunch
Enjoy the contrast of sweet tomatoes and zesty garlic in this Traditional Gazpacho recipe
And finally, this Cilantro Pesto is delicious on grilled poultry or fish or on pasta
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Share your recipes and dishes with us via email or on Instagram! Make sure to tag @katchkiefarm and use the hashtag #KatchkieFarmCSA - we can't wait to see and share what you've made!