2022 CSA Farm Update: Week 7
It has been a hot and humid week this week with temperatures steadily in 90’s with a some very heavy rains interspersed. Last Monday I was talking to my son in the evening and I commented on how gentle the rain was all day and when we get a gentle rain it really gets into the soil without running off the surface. Twenty minutes later the skies opened and torrential rains fell for the next 2.5 hours! A lesson in humility, nonetheless.
The mid-summer crops are starting to ripen this week. One of those very special July crops is the heirloom onion Ailsa Craig (named after the island in Scotland). It is a large, sweet, and juicy onion that is perfect for a sandwich. One of the most special July crops that comes to mind are snap beans. They are one of those crops that everyone loves, but not all farmers grow because of the labor involved to pick them. To pick one 300’ row by hand takes 2-3 hours depending on size of the bean and how laden the crop is with fruit. “Diditos, diditos amigos” (keep those fingers moving) is how we keep the humor in our task as we slowly make our way through the rows.
Nowadays most any bean you can find in the store is going to be picked by a machine. Those picking machines start at around 20k for a refurbished one. They make the task more economical, but there are only certain beans that will have uniform ripening, and a tougher skin to withstand the process. The beans that we want to grow and eat will not withstand this process. Those beans that we grow are the beans of old, harkening back to those days when anyone who wanted to pick them welcomed the sun on their shoulders and ache in their back as they made their way down the row. We grow these beans as an ode to those who came before us and toiled on the land.
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
The bright yellows and lush greens of summer squash or zucchini call to us on summer days. They are perfect for grilling, turning into zoodles, and stuffing - but they're also incredibly delicious as a carpaccio! Try this beautiful Summer Squash Carpaccio - it's the perfect vessel for many of vegetables in this week's bag!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these recipes below.
Add some zing to salads and sides with this recipe for Pickled Summer Squash
Travel without leaving home with this Moroccan-Spiced String Beans and Summer Squash
Beat the heat and try one of our favorites: Katchkie Farm Cool Cucumber Yogurt Soup
Enjoy this delicious Sesame Swiss Chard dish from GP Embrace and as a bonus, you can pickle the stems!
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM
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!