What’s in the Box: Cherry tomato mix, slicing tomato, purple glazer garlic, sweet yellow onions, red Italian sweet pepper (pointed red), yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, orange mini bell pepper, cayenne pepper, serrano chile pepper, collard greens, and basil.
What’s going on at the farm: Another busy week here as we enter week #14 and the last third of the CSA season with a very cold air front. It has been unseasonably cool this week with lows dipping into the upper 40’s and highs in the 60’s. Is this August still? It looks like temps should rise later in the week and we are in for some more summer but the cold air will likely slow the ripening of a few crops. It has made for very tolerable work conditions however so that is the upside. We took advantage of the comfortable conditions by working harder then ever and accomplishing quite a bit. Harvests are still plentiful despite the cold and we picked a lot of cherry tomatoes this week so expect at least a quart of these tasty fruits. Slicing tomatoes are still coming in too although they are on their last leg this week and likely finished within a weeks time. Sweet peppers are pouring in by the wagon load and we will be dividing out these lovely crispy bell peppers and Italian frying peppers in large numbers this week! It is probably the best pepper year we’ve ever had with all varieties yielding very heavily. We began winter squash harvest just yesterday pulling in good yields of acorn, butternut, spaghetti, and delicata winter squash. These will be distributed beginning next week after a few days of sun curing in the greenhouse. We have 3/4 of the crop in right now and should have it all in by Wednesday. Very good yields this year and it looks like plenty of winter squash coming for everyone starting next week. A lot of mowing and plowing was accomplished this week along with weeding the baby salad greens, radishes, etc… that germinated a week or so ago. More mulch beds and drip line were picked up and removed from the field this week as well and also weeding of our carrots, beans, and even our strawberries for next year as we keep the field perfect for next spring. We also have beans of three types flowering heavily right now but they will not set beans well without some heat so I expect, although they have slowed this week, we will heading into a bean extravaganza with a little heat coming our way later this week. Some ideas for this weeks sweet peppers and veggies include roasting your cherry tomatoes in the oven on low with some garlic. This is also a very good option with some peppers and/or sweet onion added in. Collard greens are back again this week and one option for these flat smooth greens is to use them as an wrap in place of tortilla etc. Try them raw like this with your favorite combo, like turkey bacon tomato wraps, or hummus, tomato, onion. Any combination works really but its a healthy and tasty substitute for bread any time. Until next week then, enjoy the veggies!
