csa box:: week 15

in the box:: beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, spaghetti squash, tomatillos, variety of tomatoes, pepper, onions, garlic, potatoes, cilantro.


extras I bought this week:: potatoes, butternut squash, oregano, chives, thyme, cilantro

What is in season where you live? How long is your growing season?

csa box:: week 14

Week 14! We have settled into the groove of picking our CSA up at the farm and then stopping by the apple orchard on our way home (apple season!). We are lucky to live just a few miles from both.


in the box:: butternut squash, sorrel, mixed greens (swiss chard, brussel sprout greens), peppers, sage, an onion, a head of garlic, purple potatoes, carrots, and a lot of tomatoes!


I buy as many extras as I can this time of year! I dry the herbs, and can/pickle/freeze everything else.

extras:: carrots, broccoli, chives, thyme, cilantro, parsley, beets, potatoes


orchard:: We get a gallon or two of freshly pressed cider every week (raw!). We are still sampling apples. This week we have Chenango Strawberry and Jonamac.

csa box:: week 13

week 13. in the box:: beets, sage, thyme, onion, garlic, purple potatotes, peppers, kale, and a mix of tomatoes!

extras:: beets, carrots, sage


orchard:: cider, and two new varieties - Viking, and Pink (is pink inside!)

csa box:: week 11

in the box:: a variety of cherry, slicing and paste tomatoes, peppers, pears, dill, zucchini, beets, an onion, a watermelon, lettuce, and a head of garlic.


extras:: carrots, parsley, thyme, dill, chives


And of course, more tomatoes for sauce!

To see what was in the box this week in previous years click::
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

What is in your box/in season where you live?

csa box:: week 10

We are at week 10, almost September! That of course means tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes. The garden is peaking with tomatoes, the CSA box has tomatoes, and of course I need even more tomatoes. There is always a pot on the stove with some tomato recipe simmering away this time of year, and the shelves and freezer are filling up nicely.

:: in the box:: carrots, 2 kinds of peppers, a variety of paste/slicing/cherry tomatoes, lettuce, sweet corn, zucchini, garlic, dill, peppermint, onions


::extras:: thyme, sage, oregano, carrots, beets

aaaaaaaand,

more tomatoes! Our CSA farmer April passed along a crate of tomatoes - splits/seconds. I brought them home and immediately cleaned/chopped/processed them all out on the deck. I have some for eating (the Aunt Ruby's variety is awesome!) and the rest went in for another batch of sauce!

To see what was in the box this week in previous years click::
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

What is in your box/in season where you live?

csa box:: week 9

week 9.
::in the box:: beets, carrots, two types of summer squash, cabbage, a variety of slicing and cherry tomatoes, garlic, chives, peppermint, cucumber, scallions, broccoli.


::extras:: oregano, sage, chives, carrots, paste tomatoes (for home made ketchup!)

We have so many veggies the fridge is full, canning equipment always in the sink, there is a full cooler on the floor, and pounds are picked a day from the garden in addition to the substantial CSA produce. Yes, it is August!

To see what was in the CSA box this week in previous years, click::

| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 2010 |

What is in season where you are?

csa box:: week 8

csa week 8. I can't believe we are in mid-August!

::in the box:: onions, a variety of tomatoes, slicing cucumber, pickling cucumbers, brocolli, two types of summer squash, sweet corn, chard, fresh garlic, chives and a pepper (I skipped the hot pepper after blowing my husbands face off with a spicy dish last week 8-}).



::extras:: beets, carrots, dill

Click below to check out what was in our box this week in previous years::
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |


I love CSA day - coming home to sort, clean, load up the dehydrator, fill the oven, blanch and bag...and then making dinner from whatever I still have in the fridge to make room for the new. It feels good to see so much right there (I usually bring in the garden goodies too, to get it all done at once). Oh, think of how much we will enjoy it in January! I have a LOT of cucumbers - I need to get cranking on some more pickles.

What is in season where you live?

creamy cucumber salad.

It is cucumber season and in addition to pickles and marinated cucumbers and tadziki and cucumber soup I love cucumbers this way. Creamy and tangy with a nice dressing. This recipe is my tweaked version of a Martha recipe.


::ingredients::
4 or 5 medium sized cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2+ tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 small white onion, halved and finely sliced
1 tsp crushed dill seeds (optional)
1 tsp dehydrated garlic (crushed), or garlic powder
1 tsp dehydrated onion (crushed), or onion powder
Sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

::directions::
In a bowl combine the sour cream, lemon juice, herbs and spices and stir to combine. Add the cucumbers and mix well until all cucumbers coated. You can serve immediately, but it tastes even better if you refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Cucumbers:: Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin A and C as well as potassium, manganese, folate, dietary fiber and magnesium. They also contain the mineral...silica!

csa box:: week 7

It is August already! Week 7.

::in the box:: lettuce, sweet corn, cucumber, new garlic, summer savory, dill heads, pickling cucumbers, onions, 2 types of summer squash, peppers, cabbage.


::extras:: beets, carrots, broccoli, summer savory, sage, thyme, onions.

To see what was in our CSA box this week in previous years::
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

What is now in season where you live??

slow roasted cherry tomatoes

For most people tomatoes are the epitome of summer. That one flavor that says long hot days and garden fresh. Our tomatoes are just starting to come in and I know we will have a good two months of fresh heirloom tomatoes from our garden and CSA. In the beginning it is hard to do more than to pick them and rinse in the hose before popping them right into my mouth.

My husband LOVES tomatoes too, but the acidity bothers him, so over the years I have expanded how I make tomatoes so that we can enjoy them more ways than only raw or for pasta in the early weeks. Today was the first day I picked enough tomatoes (isis candy cherry) to roast. When I am bringing them in by the bowl full I will start to dehydrate them too, but roasting is a fantastic way to enjoy them in smaller quantities. You can make huge trays of this, but I love making this in my toaster oven and use a ceramic pie dish or brownie pan. Using a toaster oven I don't have to heat the whole kitchen up on a hot day - they roast happily away and turn out perfectly every time. You can of course roast them in your full size oven. Roasting brings out the rich deep flavor of the tomatoes too.

I love roasting cherry tomatoes - but you can use any size of tomato. You will need to slice bigger tomatoes down into smaller pieces.


::slow roasted cherry tomatoes::

Slice cherry tomatoes in half, and place skin side down in your dish. Drizzle with olive oil and a nice splash of good quality balsamic vinegar (more vinegar than oil as it will cook down). Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Add some whole garlic cloves if you like. Place into your oven at 275ºF for a two or so hours until the balsamic looks sticky and reduced and the tomatoes are slightly smaller and getting curly at the edge. There is no exact time as it will depend on the size and type of your tomatoes - just roast until they get softer, smaller, a bit darker, and curly edged but not all dried out. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Chop some freshly picked basil leaves and scatter over the top, and if you like drop in some soft cheese. I used brie here, but you could use goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, or slivers of good quality Parmesan.

When you serve, be sure to drizzle some of the sticky reduced balsamic over the top. SO good!

roasted cabbage.

Cabbage is one of those veggies you either love or hate, I think. I look forward to it every year to make some sauerkraut, or to cook with apples in the fall, but don't see it as really a creative summer dish. I've been exploring different ways to cook it and have found something we like and which REALLY brings out the best in cabbage. Roasting it. This is really easy to make and has spectacular flavor - both crispy and creamy with a nice nutty flavor.


::roasted cabbage::

1 head of cabbage, cut into 8 wedges, core removed

Pre-heat your oven to 400ºF. Place the wedges into a roasting pan. Smash a few cloves of garlic and place over the wedges. Drizzle with olive oil. Add a nice pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Sprinkle over a good pinch (1/2 tsp) of dill seeds...either crushed a little with a mortar and pestle or chop a little with a knife (don't pound into a powder though, just crack it a bit). Place the roasting pan in the oven. Let roast for 15 minutes. Using a flat spatula turn each wedge over gently and let roast another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and eat warm!

good stuff:: Cabbage is full of nutrients. Vitamin K, C, fiber, manganese, B6, potassium, folate. It also contains other B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin), calcium, magnesium, Vitamin A and protein. What is interesting is that cabbage contains omega-3's! "There is actually far more ALA in 100 calories of cabbage than there is in 100 calories of salmon! "

csa box: week 6

We had rain! Two nights in a row! My garden is SO happy and I know that farmers in my area are relieved (for now).

::in the box:: 2 types of cucumbers, 2 types of summer squash, scallions, new garlic, green beans, sage, lettuce, carrots, beets, cabbage


With the dry weather there was not a lot of 'extra' available to purchase this week, but I picked up a few things.

::extras:: carrots, beets, sage

To see what was in our CSA box this week in previous years::
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

What is now in season where you live??

csa box:: week 5

We have had some record heat and a lack of rain this month, so it was no surprise to hear from our CSA farmer on pick up day about how things were not doing so well this week. It was too hot to seed lettuces, radishes and other plants were bolting, and everything is dry dry dry. So this week she put in storage popcorn from last year to fill it out a bit. Hopefully the heat will at least boost the heat lovers like tomatoes, melons and cucumbers. Now, if it will just rain a bit more often!

::in the box:: kale, cucumbers, summer savory, new garlic, summer squash, carrots, popcorn, beans



I picked up a few extras:: carrots, beets, onions, dill heads, chives.

What is in your box this week? What is in season in your area?

kohlrabi slaw.

I have many go-to recipes that I love to make again and again, but don't always post. You see, I am a chronic by the seat of my pants cook. I know the general recipe that I like and rarely make it *exactly* the same twice.

Kohlrabi Slaw is one of those things. I love it. I make it every year that we start getting kohlrabi in the garden and CSA box. I am not a big fan of raw tasteless cabbage and shredded carrots in a runny sauce as is common for American picnics and barbeque's. I like the idea of slaw and the crunchy rawness of it, but I want flavor. Kohlrabi Slaw is so flavorful but still has that fresh crunchy summer feel. This recipe is flexible, because I tweak it based on what we are eating it with. But I find that I most often make it this way - I really think the ginger/sesame oil go so well together with the veggies, and yet it never overpowers. So here it is. My favorite Kohlrabi Slaw.



This makes enough for a few servings - side dish for dinner for a small family. If you are having a barbecue or taking it to a pot luck, double or triple. If you don't like hot pink slaw, just use a different kind of beet. ;)

::ingredients::
1 kohlrabi, peeled and grated
1 carrot, grated
1 medium beet, peeled and grated
1 medium fennel head, grated
3 scallions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
a few sprigs of fresh dill, chopped
chopped fresh parsley (optional)

::dressing::
1 Tbsp créme fraiche, Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tsp roasted sesame oil
2 tsp rice vinegar
1" knob of fresh ginger, finely minced
salt & pepper to taste



Grate/chop all of your veggies and toss in a bowl. In a small bowl mix the dressing. Pour over the veggies, stirring to coat. Salt & pepper to taste. Let sit for 30 minutes or more to get those juices and flavors going. Tastes like summer!

::food for thought:: This slaw not only tastes better than the more common slaws, but also is packed with more goodness. Kohlrabi is high in vitamin C and B, magnesium, potassium, fiber and many great anti cancer compounds. Beets are high in anti oxidants, folate, manganese, potassium, fiber, vitamin C and even iron! Fennel is another one full of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, manganese, folate and iron. And of course carrots...not to mention sesame oil is very high in linoleic acid, one of the two essential fatty acids (EFAs) our bodies cannot produce. And you know about ginger and garlic. So see? Picnic food doesn't have to be flavorless and empty. It can be raw and fresh and packed full of flavor and goodness.

csa box:: week 3

Week 3! So many good things this week.

in the box:: snow peas, red raspberries, spring onions, beets, lettuce, kale/chard mix, kohlrabi, broccoli, sage, and two types of summer squash.


extras:: I only picked up beets, dill (pickling!) and lavender this week. Our lovely farmer said I should pick some of her calendula flower heads around the barn if I could use them for oil/balms, so I did!

I immediately blanched all the greens and prepped them for the freezer. I started a pot of veggie stock with all the ends and bits and stems (what Ms. Hunka our angora rabbit won't/shouldn't eat). Put in a tray of beets and garlic to roast in the oven, and baked raspberry mini-pies. YUM.

See what was in our box on week three in previous years::
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |


What was in your CSA box this week?
Or what is in season at your local Farmer's Market?

csa box:: week 2

Week two! Our garden is kicking into high gear (finally) and so with the CSA and garden we are starting to ferment, can, freeze and dehydrate. I love having a full pantry and freezer!

in the box:: beets, spring onions, zucchini, snow peas, kohlrabi, asparagus, lavender, strawberries, two types of lettuce, kale, and fennel



extras:: chives, dill, sage, and snow peas

Want to compare week 02, 2011 with previous years?
Click the year to link:: | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

Do you have a CSA? What was in your box this week?

Don't miss Dawn's CSA box from the west coast::
http://thislifeisworthliving.com/2011/07/03/csa-share/

csa box:: week 1

As some of you know, during the CSA season I photograph our box/share each week and post what we have. This will be the fifth season (can you believe it)? Today was our first CSA box of 2011. We started a little late due to the abnormally cold spring, so I am very excited it is finally here. Here is what we have this week.

::week 01::

in the box:: two types of lettuce, garlic scapes, snap peas, oregano, summer savory, lovage, spring onions, asparagus, kohlrabi, strawberries, swiss chard.


::extras::

We pick up on farm from our CSA, and she has additional produce available each week for those who want to purchase extra. I usually get more of things that I don't have in my own garden, that I want larger quantities to can/preserve, or that we just like a lot.


extras:: aparagus, strawberries, fennel, garlic scapes, lavender

Want to compare week 01, 2011 with previous years?
Click the year to link:: | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |

This year I would love to link back each week to others who photograph/post their CSA farm share boxes. If you have a link, please leave it in a comment! And be sure to tell me what general area you live in, so we can see the differences in seasonality between regions.

Do you have a CSA this year? What was in your box this week?

csa box:: week 14

csa box week 14:: lovage, parsley, onions, bell & banana peppers, acorn & butternut squash, sweet potatoes, head lettuce, kale, garlic, broccoli and a few tomatoes


extras, week 14:: butternut squash, onions, dill, parsley, mushrooms, leeks

++++

It seems like this year would have been a good growing year - hot and wet - but we've been feeling like we are missing some things this year in our CSA boxes. Very very (very) few tomatoes, not many herbs, and no beans! It is interesting to see how things change from year to year!

csa box:: week 13

CSA Box Week 13:: spinach, lettuce (2 types), onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, sage, melon, squash and a sunflower.



Extras:: onions, garlic, mushrooms, butternut squash (soup!).

csa box:: week 12

CSA Box, Week 12:: onions, carrots, variety of peppers and tomatoes, delicata squash, garlic, two types of lettuce, kale, eggplant, zucchini, cilantro


With sick boys this week I didn't get extras for canning/preserving, but I have been craving a good carrot soup, so loaded up on orange goodness.

extras:: carrots, spinach, mushrooms, cilantro, garlic