Week 8
Hi everyone,
I hope you're enjoying your summer! Despite the rain, I've managed to have some pretty great cook outs, parties, and a single swimming expedition so far. Sue and CLaude have managed to get some more hay made, and there may be another window of weather coming up in a few days. Today was pretty dreary, though. Fog, mist, and rain with heavy cloud cover... But I'm sure there are some sunny days ahead.
The eggplant are ready! We pruned and tied them up yesterday, and discovered a surprising number of gorgeous eggplant ready to harvest. The plants were so bushy and dense that we couldn't see how many there were at first. But there were enough that we were able to give it out to almost the whole CSA this week. If you didn't get one this week, you'll get one next week. We keep track of who receives them to make sure you get your fair share!
Other updates: the peas are winding down, after a fairly disappointing run. But they had it pretty rough — a recent hailstorm really took the wind out of their sails. But the summer squash is ramping up, the cucumbers have started producing, and the first cherry tomatoes are ripening in the greenhouse.
In your bag this week:
Spicy Summer Salad Mix
Kale
Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Snow & Sugar Snap Peas
Red Onions
Eggplant
Some more nice kale this week, and some lovely little early red onions called Cabernet. I like knowing the vegetable names — I think it adds a little pizzazz when you know your eggplant or tomato or onion has a name like Clara, Dancer, Ailsa Craig, Whitewing, Cosmonaut Volkov or Sun Peach.
Below are some recipes to help you meal-plan a bit. Also, when in doubt, eggplant, summer squash and onions (as well as things like peppers and tomatoes) are wonderful on the grill. Simple, easy, and delicious.
If you're firing up the grill for some chicken, kebabs or black bean burgers, consider throwing some of the veggies from your bag on as well. I've included a recipe for basic grilled summer vegetables, and you can apply it to different vegetables as they are available.
Bacon, mushrooms, red onion, goat cheese, kale! Oh yeah!
2) Roasted Eggplant with Smoked Almonds & Goat Cheese
If you have a smaller eggplant, you can cut this recipe in half. But the combination is delicious!
This recipe came from a long-time CSA member. Highly recommended!
This is one of Sue's recipe inventions- I love her cooking because it's straight-forward and efficient. She doesn't have time to get fancy, but it's always tasty! The recipe calls for tomatoes, so make sure you try it again when we have ripe tomatoes for you! It's incredible....
Just some basic instructions.
Well, that's it for this week! I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the season and the food that comes with it.
All the best,
Sarah VanNorstrand
for Lucky Moon Farm
#eggplant #kale #summersquash #meatballs #ratatouille #grill #zucchini