Why early renewal helps
This week, I am handing out renewal forms for next year. We offer a discount if you sign up before the end of December, because it is SO beneficial for us to have at least some of the money well in advance of the season. Many of our expenses for the following growing season happen between November and April - seeds, supplies such as irrigation, repairs to the greenhouses and equipment, and the like. In fact, we already had to plant the cover crops on the garden areas for next year, so we purchased those seeds back in July. Even though members don't see the first vegetables until June, there is an awful lot of work that happens many months in advance of that. Then, once we hit April, we are out there planting seeds and seedlings every day, weeding and pruning and caring for the veggies until we finally see you all in June for the first share. So, that is why we ask for payment so far in advance. The CSA/Farm Share model was developed as a way for farmers to avoid having to take out an operating loan to cover their expenses until the harvest came in, and it works! -Annie
Cardoon recipe error
The instructions for preparing cardoon say to simmer it for 4 minutes. It should be 40 minutes! I am sorry if your first try of cardoon was a disappointment, consider trying again but cooking it longer. We will have cardoon again next week.
Garlic planting delayed
Looks like the rain is going to spoil our garlic planting day, so I’m re scheduling it for next Monday, October 14th at 10:00 AM.
Vegetables
Carrots Mini daikon radish Sweet peppers Onions Escarole Spinach or Napa cabbage Potatoes
Herbs
Upper Garden: Mint, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Chives, Garlic Chives, Tarragon, Hyssop, Catnip , Winter savory, Lovage, lemon balm
Lower Garden: Parsley, Marjoram, Cilantro, Summer Savory, cutting celery, Borage
Flowers Nasturtium, Snap Dragon, Dahlia, Amaranth, Dyer’s Coreopsis, Echinacea, Nigella, Zinnia
Willa’s favorite carrot bread
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil (coconut oil preferred)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
3 cups flour
2-3 cups grated carrots
(optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup raisins)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together all ingredients except carrots. Mix in carrots. Grease a 9x9 square pan or a 9- inch round pan (or muffin cups, if you prefer). Fill the pan with the batter. Bake about 1 hour (about 20 minutes for muffins), until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Makes a great breakfast cake served with yogurt, or a great dessert if served with whipped cream.
Escarole frittata
olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 sweet pepper, chopped
1 head escarole, chopped
8 eggs, beaten
1⁄2 c grated fontina or gruyere
3 T parsley, chopped
Heat the oil in a 10 inch skillet, preferably cast iron. Sauté the onion and pepper until softened but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the escarole and some salt and sauté until wilted and soft. Combine the eggs, the cheese, and the parsley together and pour into the skillet, making sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cook over low heat, covered, until the eggs are set, another 5-8 minutes or so. Alternatively, finish the top of the frittata under the broiler. Allow to cool and then unmold to a serving plate. Top with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, your favorite salsa, and some sliced tomatoes on the side. fom mariquitafarm.com
Roasted daikon radish, carrots and peppers
2 daikon radishes, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch rounds
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 shallot or small onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
salt, pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine vegetables and oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast 25-30 minutes, stirring several times. Drizzle veggies with balsamic vinegar and return to oven for 5 minutes. Toss well and transfer to serving bowl. sarahscucinabella.com
"Lo! sweeten’d with the summer light,
The full-juiced apple, waxing over- mellow,
Drops in a silent autumn night.
All its allotted length of days
The flower ripens in its place,
Ripens and fades, and falls, and hath no toil,
Fast-rooted in the fruitful soil."
- Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Lotus- Eaters