2024 CSA Farm Update: Week 2
Welcome everyone to week 2 of the Katchkie Farm CSA! This week is bringing us the flavors of late spring on the farm. Our first lettuces, beets, cilantro, and scallions are in this week’s share. Garlic scapes, kale, and sweet salad turnips are still holding strong. It is always such a joy to see how each season unfolds slightly differently than the last one.
The weather for this week looks like a hot one. For us this means making sure we keep ourselves and the plants well watered. Irrigation will most likely be running most of the day in order to keep those vegetables in good order. It is amazing to see how quickly plants such as lettuces and broccoli can go from perfect one day to too far gone the next when they are under heat stress. If the crops are not under stress in the heat, they have the capability to grow exponentially. Some crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplants, corn, and sweet potatoes really thrive in the heat, turning all of that sunlight and warmth into larger plants and fruit.
With the longest day of the year just around the corner, it is nice to take a look around and enjoy the lushness that has come into being over the last two months. When those first snowdrops and forsythia start blooming in the early spring, I know that nature is waking up again and it is time to get the fields and myself ready for the upcoming growing season. Actually, being a part of it and working with the flow of the seasons is such a special endeavor. There is a certain truth to working with the seasons that is very fulfilling. What we do on the farm has to be in nature’s rhythm if we want to see good results. I am sure anyone who has tasted a ripe tomato in August would agree!
This week also brings us some crops from our friends at Row 7 Seeds Company. Teagan lettuce and Delfino cilantro are unique versions of everyday crops. See if you notice a difference in them. I hope you all enjoy the longest day of the year. We look forward to sharing the summer’s bounty ahead of us.
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.
recipe corner: sesame swiss chard
recipe courtesy Embrace: Wellness
Swiss chard is a dark green vegetable with soft leaves and crunchy stalks. It comes in different varieties such as rainbow chard, which has brightly colored stalks that add color and crunch to a dish. Compared to other leafy greens, Swiss chard cooks relatively quickly. If you don’t use the stems in a dish, try out Great Performances’ recipe for Pickled Swiss Chard Stems.
Serves 2
Remove the stems from 1 bunch Swiss chard. Chop stems and leaves separately. In a large skillet, heat 1 tsp sesame oil over medium heat. Add 2 Tb finely chopped shallot and cook for a minute. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add chard stems and cook for 5-6 minutes. Stir in leaves, add an additional 1 tsp sesame oil and cook for 3 minutes until tender. Squeeze the juice of ½ lime over top. Season with 1 tsp white sesame seeds and salt to taste.