We are in mid season on the farm which calls for mowing down expired crops, making new beds and seeding late fall crops such as storage carrots, beets, fall lettuce, turnips and peas! It is also a time of the season when I see Chris and Armando looking at various fields and contemplating next year's season. New fields will be tilled for our 2012 season to make room for more annual vegetables, flowers and perennials such as asparagus and more fruit trees.
Now that the rain has cleared up the road is being worked on again in full force. We are just as eager as you are to get our intersection open again to make driving to the farm stand more convenient. Pictured above is work being done by Campanella's crew. Some of the soil that is being dug to create our pond (which will be used for future irrigation of our lower fields) is taken to develop the new roundabout.
This week's CSA share is for Full Vegetable members and Fruit.
Your vegetable harvest this week:
Cherry Tomatoes
Green Beans
Celery
Parsley
Green or Purple Kohlrabi
Acorn Squash
Leeks
Your fruit harvest this week:
Shiro Plums
Red Haven Peaches
Blueberries
Fall Bearing Red Raspberries
Celery! Compare this to what you mostly find at the store and you'll never leave the farm. This tender yet crisp celery stalk has got a great flavor. How about Curried Waldorf Salad tonight?
After the early morning swarm of mosquitoes, Charlie lifts his head net and is relieved that those pests are somewhat gone. Here he's harvesting parsley and is embraced by the scent of this fresh herb.
One of our favorite salads at home is Lazy Days Parsley Salad. The name speaks for itself and is perfect after a long day at work. On the other hand if you've had a lazy day at work and you've got lots of energy for making dinner how about some Tabbouleh!
Lazy Days Parsley Salad
Snap the leaves from a washed bunched of parsley. Spin them or towel dry and toss them in a bowl with a good quality Olive Oil. It's great with fresh squeezed lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts. That's all, now just enjoy!
Elliott (wearing my favorite farm shirt) holds a perfect sample of this weeks fruit bounty!
The Shiro Plum in the fruit share is a beauty. This bright yellow fruit offers a mild sweet flavor which makes it great for eating, cooking or canning.
The Sweet orange flesh of our Summer Acorn Squash is perfect right now and we're happy to harvest it for you for this week's bounty! Enjoy a Acorn Squash Quesadillas with Tomatillo Salsa or Classic Baked Acorn Squash.
Leeks are a mellow version of an onion and can be used in many ways. You'll want to cut the leek just below the dark green leaves. The leaves of the leeks are too tough to eat. After you cut the bottom portion of your leek make sure you give a good rinse to get rid of any hidden dirt. Tomato and Leek Fritatta anyone?
Chris and I are off once again to drive through the night to Arthur Illinois! Our second batch of broilers will be processed and ready for sale on Thursday! We'll have whole cut up chickens available once again so you could make the best Buttermilk Fried Chicken!
Enjoy this week's bounty!
Your farmers,
Tania and Chris Cubberly and our crew, Armando, Joe, Elliott, Michael, Charlie, Sherman, Francisco and Mike, who has been with us for two years volunteering at our Logan Square Farmer's Market!
