The usual important messages then onto to farm news and product availability.
July 4th is just an ordinary day for vegetables so we work just the same. For on-farm pick-up, if you need to change to a different day please let me know as soon as you can. We will deliver boxes to Ginkgo and Mac-Groveland drop sites as usual on the Fourth. Deliveries to Bayport and St. Paul’s Monastery will change; details have been sent via email to these members already. If any drop-site members want to come out to the farm on the 4th (we really aren’t that far from most of you), or any other day, to pick-up your shares please let me know and we will plan accordingly!
The calendar on our web site has been updated with the add-on shares delivery days. This lists the days these items arrive at the farm. It is subject to change but should be accurate unless some unforeseen event occurs. Please consult it if you want to know when something arrives here.
There were just a few glitches the first week. Surprisingly few. The snap peas just weren’t abundant enough for the first day so the on-farm pick-up member on Wednesday and Thursday did not get their peas. They will get peas this week.
Farm News
Let’s be honest, [Editor’s Note: I really don’t understand this phrase. Shouldn’t the default be honest and therefore this expression is meaningless? Don’t we assume that when people say something they are being honest? Shouldn’t we instead alert people to when we are being dishonest? “Let’s be dishonest, I really like GMOs.” Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we announce when we are going to be dishonest instead of randomly when we are being honest?] a CSA isn’t a CSA without garlic. The main reason for joining a CSA is for the garlic. A CSA without garlic is like air without oxygen. Sure oxygen only makes up 21% of the earth’s air but without it air is simply nitrogen: a flavorless, odorless gas. Garlic is what makes a CSA special. And I am reminded of this today because today we are cutting the scapes off the garlic. We are exscaping! (Yes that’s a word despite what spell check says. I’ve heard it many times).
So what are garlic scapes? If you are asking you haven’t been a member of Fresh Earth Farms for very long. Or you have a short memory. Or maybe you are just making polite conversation. Garlic scapes are the top part of hardneck garlic plants. Why do we cut them off? Two reasons: 1 – since it is a reproductive organ, if we lop it off (how many of our male readership is wincing right now?) the plant puts more energy into its other reproductive method: bulb formation. And reason B – it is mighty tasty.
You can use garlic scapes just like garlic. Or you can use them raw since they are less potent than bulb garlic. I like to grind them up in a food processor then add a block of cream cheese and mix it up for a delicious garlic cheese spread. I suppose you could do the same with butter for garlic bread, sour cream for a nice dip or maybe olive oil if you want to be healthier! Of course you can cook with them as well — they are delicious grilled. Here are a few more ideas and some more here. Don’t fear the garlic scape. Some members look forward to this year after year!
Other than garlic scapes what will we be getting this week? Good question, and one I feel ill equipped to answer. But if I were to take a guess I would say green onions, green garlic (it’s a garlic fiesta!), bok choi, peas, lettuce, maybe beets, maybe kohlrabi, maybe broccoli, maybe zucchini. All these maybes are just starting to produce so there will be few to start, with ever increasing amounts over the next several weeks.
FruitShare, CheeseShare, EggShare, IceCreamShare, SeafoodShare and BreadShare are this week.
A la carte Blueberries are this week as well!
MeatShare and CoffeeShare were last week.
FlowerShare will most likely start next week with small bouquets.
As always, feel free to send in questions, comments, jokes, etc. I love hearing from you!