I'm sure a lot of you have been enjoying the cooler weather. We sure have on the farm for the last few days, and I'm happy to see that it looks like it is supposed to be a cooler week ahead. Not only is it physically much more exhausting picking food in 80 degree heat, it is really mentally tiring just trying to keep everything fresh, cool and looking good after we pick it. The summer crops have really benefited from the additional warmth, but 70 degrees with a few clouds shouldn't do them any harm at all and will make the farmers happy. Here's what's in the share:
Potatoes- As mentioned in the email, we decided for a bunch of reasons not to put these in last week's share, so here they are. Enjoy! Man, Martha Stewart's website is awesome:
http://www.marthastewart.com/274469/new-potato-recipes/@center/1009726/spring-produce
Cherry tomatoes- YES! Our first sungold tomatoes! We picked them last week and I was surprised how many we got, so I'm hoping we should be able to give all of you a half pint. They are delicious. If some are bit paler yellow than others, just leave those ones on the counter for a day until they're fully ripe.
Snap peas- Well, I'm almost sure these will be the last snap peas in the share this year. Usually we have them all through July, but the warm weather has made them come on earlier and set more heavily all at once. By the end of July the quality is always starting to decline a bit anyway, and right now they're still very good, so enjoy while you still can!
Cucumbers- Hope you enjoyed the cuke in your share last week, and have room for a few more. More Martha:
http://www.marthastewart.com/1060111/cucumbers
http://www.marthastewart.com/1058924/cucumber-salad
Garlic- The garlic is all cleaned, tied up and hanging to dry in the barn now, so it will be very easy to cut down a head for each of your shares. It is mostly dried down now and can be used more or less like regular garlic...should have more flavor and spice than the grocery store varieties though.
Celery- Our very first time picking celery on the farm! This is the first year we've grown it, and we will be harvesting the first batch for you. I think we will pick it more like an herb this time, cutting the outer stalks and bunching them, so the plant survives. Then in August or September we will be able to harvest the whole plant, and you will get the heart as well as the outer stalks. I think celery is one of the crops that makes the biggest difference whether it's homegrown or grocery store....store bought celery just doesn't taste like anything. It does have a great crunch though, and home grown celery can be tough if it doesn't get enough water....we have tried to keep ours well watered, so I am hopeful that it should be tasty AND crunchy. Fingers crossed.
Basil- The basil is growing crazy fast, and we are trying to keep up with it. Should be a bigger amount in the share this week than last time....same varieties though, Italian, purple, and lemon.
Lettuce- We have some very nice lettuce now. There may be different varieties in different shares, so peak in the bag to get the type you want. Use the snap peas instead of frozen peas, and any kind of lettuce, to make this recipe:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/lettuce-and-pea-soup-108090
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