Newsletter 9-2-09
Fortunately we have been blessed with a disaster free week thus far. Not that we really anticipated otherwise, but when you’re caretaking the culmination of someone else’s life work, the thought that chaos might ensue looms within a dark alley of the mind. The form of chaos we fret is not so much a loss of order but more along the lines of a barefoot being chewed by the tines of the tiller as we attempt to make weed free paths between rows, no longer being able to find any eggs because a chicken uprising resulted in all wild chickens, or the deer no longer nibbling here and there but hosting weekly potlucks on Tuesday nights in the fields.
Yes, we gave up on being oppressed by order long ago, we still feel somewhat organized though. We know where everything is, except maybe one of the shovels. Time for us is not a linear concept, but cyclical by nature.
To the outside observer our approach to organic farming may seem wild or radical to a degree, but its what makes sense to us. We had friends pay us a surprise visit over the weekend. It’s always good to see old friends but even better when you could use some extra hands harvesting cute baby squash. Needless to say, we put them to work, gave them a crash course in organic agriculture and kept their bellies full. One of our friends couldn’t quite grasp the winter squash growing wildly in between raspberry rows. He thought, “wouldn’t they do better planted in the fields.” And before I could offer any rebuttal, another friend chimed in, “…the name isn’t make it grow, man, its’ let it grow…” This statement pretty much sums up the nature of things here on the farm.
Frank’s absence has kept us on our toes. Harvesting begins much earlier because we can’t pick quite as quick just yet. Weeding isn’t so much a tedious task for us anymore, but a thoughtful meditation. It seems we’ve been meditating more over the weeds lately, in efforts of getting things nice and neat before Frank’s arrival home. Hell, we found ourselves weed eating for fun; well maybe it was just me. Nonetheless, we have been making an earnest effort to keep it together here on the farm. The fall greens are weed free (mostly) and breathing clearly. We thought we would weed the beans too but upon picking them, realized they’re doing just fine the way they are. In making our what to weed list for the days we found ourselves ranting off just about everything growing now. We wanted to show Frank what we could when in charge. However, we had to remind ourselves to not get carried away into obsessive organization. Although we want him to be pleased with our work, we also want him to feel at home upon his arrival.
In The Box:
Head Lettuce
Celery
Heirloom Tomatoes
Malabar Spinach
Stuffing Squash
Leeks
Provider Beans
Hakurei Turnips
Bell Peppers
The unusual green in your box this week is known as Malabar spinach. Technically it is not even spinach as it is in a different family, but it can be cooked in much the same fashion. It is native to India and we love it because it is very heat tolerant, where as we had some trouble with the germination of our traditional spinach. Malabar is traditionally cooked with lentils in many Dal recipes in Indian culture. We love it sautéed with mushrooms & garlic or raw with salads.
The stuffing squash can be stuffed in any fashion. We like to cut them in halves or just remove the tops, scoop out the pulp. Sautee some onions, garlic, leeks, and then add the pulp and spices. Once hot we add a beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese. Stuff the squash shells with the mix and bake in the oven.
*The celery in your box is a cooking celery. It’s not your typical ranch dipping kind. Much tastier, in fact.
We hope you enjoy this week’s harvest and just a reminder we sure would appreciate any old CSA boxes that you have lying around. You can bring them to your pick up location. Thanks again!
Be Well…
-Joe & Krystal
Yes, we gave up on being oppressed by order long ago, we still feel somewhat organized though. We know where everything is, except maybe one of the shovels. Time for us is not a linear concept, but cyclical by nature.
To the outside observer our approach to organic farming may seem wild or radical to a degree, but its what makes sense to us. We had friends pay us a surprise visit over the weekend. It’s always good to see old friends but even better when you could use some extra hands harvesting cute baby squash. Needless to say, we put them to work, gave them a crash course in organic agriculture and kept their bellies full. One of our friends couldn’t quite grasp the winter squash growing wildly in between raspberry rows. He thought, “wouldn’t they do better planted in the fields.” And before I could offer any rebuttal, another friend chimed in, “…the name isn’t make it grow, man, its’ let it grow…” This statement pretty much sums up the nature of things here on the farm.
Frank’s absence has kept us on our toes. Harvesting begins much earlier because we can’t pick quite as quick just yet. Weeding isn’t so much a tedious task for us anymore, but a thoughtful meditation. It seems we’ve been meditating more over the weeds lately, in efforts of getting things nice and neat before Frank’s arrival home. Hell, we found ourselves weed eating for fun; well maybe it was just me. Nonetheless, we have been making an earnest effort to keep it together here on the farm. The fall greens are weed free (mostly) and breathing clearly. We thought we would weed the beans too but upon picking them, realized they’re doing just fine the way they are. In making our what to weed list for the days we found ourselves ranting off just about everything growing now. We wanted to show Frank what we could when in charge. However, we had to remind ourselves to not get carried away into obsessive organization. Although we want him to be pleased with our work, we also want him to feel at home upon his arrival.
In The Box:
Head Lettuce
Celery
Heirloom Tomatoes
Malabar Spinach
Stuffing Squash
Leeks
Provider Beans
Hakurei Turnips
Bell Peppers
The unusual green in your box this week is known as Malabar spinach. Technically it is not even spinach as it is in a different family, but it can be cooked in much the same fashion. It is native to India and we love it because it is very heat tolerant, where as we had some trouble with the germination of our traditional spinach. Malabar is traditionally cooked with lentils in many Dal recipes in Indian culture. We love it sautéed with mushrooms & garlic or raw with salads.
The stuffing squash can be stuffed in any fashion. We like to cut them in halves or just remove the tops, scoop out the pulp. Sautee some onions, garlic, leeks, and then add the pulp and spices. Once hot we add a beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese. Stuff the squash shells with the mix and bake in the oven.
*The celery in your box is a cooking celery. It’s not your typical ranch dipping kind. Much tastier, in fact.
We hope you enjoy this week’s harvest and just a reminder we sure would appreciate any old CSA boxes that you have lying around. You can bring them to your pick up location. Thanks again!
Be Well…
-Joe & Krystal
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