2014 CSA Week 16

*** This week is an even week, therefore half shares will be delivered to the following cities: Americus, Blakely, Cordele,Dothan, Harris, Tallahassee, Warner Robbins, and WOP.

Greetings from sunny southern Georgia! This week marks the half way point for the main season CSA. I believe that this is our best share yet! This crate is full of the season’s richest flavors, (melons, basil & garlic), brightest colors, (peppers, okra & watermelon radishes) and most interesting textures (eggplant & purslane).

I feel that each week our team becomes tighter knit as we learn and explore in the vegetable jungle. Every week is met with a new challenges, whether it be rainfall, new pest battles, or simply plants with unique needs. We grow together in the journey that is organic farming. We learn from each other, as much as we learn from the plants. Ours is a diverse ecosystem, teeming with interesting personalities and beautiful strengths.

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our CSA members for stepping out in faith and partnering with us. A CSA can only function with the support of courageous and understanding members. Thank you for bearing with us through the bugs; thank you for standing with us as we learn. Our team loves serving you, bringing you the literal fruits of our toil. To see the excitement on your faces at market when you collect your shares, make this all worth it. We go home each night sweaty and tired, but with a sense of fulfillment because our efforts make a difference in lives of our members. We are so happy to provide you with the freshest seasonally available produce, and to share in your health journey. Each night that I eat produce from the farm, I am reminded that families are sitting down at their tables enjoying the same harvest. Even though we may be miles apart I feel a sense of community between our members and us, your farmers. I hope that as you enjoy your vegetable bounty now and in the future, that you feel kinship with other CSA members who also partake in this local food movement, and with your farmers who love you.

Introducing your new share items: sweet roasting peppers, bell peppers, eggplant, cantaloupe, and watermelon!

Attention CSA members, your melons can be found in the bottom of the crate underneath the normal share bag. If you are a Saturday share pick up, you received your cantaloupe last Saturday and will receive your watermelon this Saturday. For all other shares both melons will be underneath the vegetable bag.

Pasture Raised Eggs:

12 beautiful brown eggs from our own lovely ladies that range freely on certified organic pasture. The eggs are washed, candled and graded fresh for you each week.(Want to add a dozen or more, Egg-cellent idea!, Call to order and we’ll bring them to you: 229-641-2081)

Certified Organic Vegetables:

Melons: Cantaloupe & Watermelon –These are beauties! This set of lovely ladies can be enjoyed right out of the crate. Sorbets, Popsicle, mixed drinks, salad dressings, or sweet or savory salads, please send us your favorite recipes.

Sweet Roasting OR Bell Peppers – I encourage you to try eating these peppers raw, however they are delightful roasted, grilled, stuffed, pepper jelly, pickled and stir-fried.

Eggplants – So many ideas to try: vegetarian cutlets, eggplant Parmesan, baba ghanoush, or moussaka.

Watermelon Radishes – Pickled, roasted, braised, or enjoy raw shavings in a salad. They may not look like much from the outside, but the inside is true to name. They are gorgeous.

Jalapenos OR Hot Roasting Peppers ( Joe E. Parker or Hungarian Hot Wax)– Spice up your life, with fresh salsa, marinades, sauces, and pickles. You can roast them on the grill or in the oven. The complexity of flavors that is produce while roasting is unlike any fresh pepper you have ever tried.

Summer Salad Medley ( Purslane) –  A succulent green, that adds a lemony twist to any salad or sandwhich.

Garlic– Delicious in so many recipes, fresh and spicy! Salsa is always so refreshing and extra special when it has just the right amount of a spicy kick.

Squash OR Zucchini – Grill, hollow them out and stuff, roast or fried; you will be surprised by the versatility and flavor of these summer favorites.

Cucumbers – All of our cucumbers can be eaten raw, however if you would like to try your hand at pickling we have included some little guys for you to experiment with. Send us your mad scientist recipes!

Green Beans OR Okra – These snappy, crisp little beans are perfect eaten raw. However, if you are spending a lot of time grillingmeals this may be the recipe for you, sweet and simple grilled green beans with a some garlic and olive oil.  Okra on the other hand is

Summer Roasting Carrots – Sweet and ready to roast. These summer carrots will be best suited for roasting and baking to bring out their sweetness.

Basil – This herb is lovely in sauces, breads and on pizzas.