Between the intense heat and the walk-in fridge breaking down on Monday night, the weather and temperature whiplash that both farm humans and farm plants experienced last week was something unique. The crew was amazing though the heat and many of the plants held up as well, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a little more even weather for a while. 

For those of you who tried to reach me about your shares on Wednesday or Thursday last week, I’m sorry if I didn’t return your texts and calls. On Wednesday, CJ and Eli took the dog for a walk and brought along my cell phone in case they ran into trouble. Somehow, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the phone that ended up in trouble at the bottom of Sidensparker Pond. The camera no longer works and the screen is a bit wonky, but I’m back in touch with the electronic world and communication with me should be smooth from now on!

The cow drama of the week (because apparently in 2017 there has to be weekly cow drama?) was a bit terrifying. After sorting through the hakurei turnips last Thursday, some turnip seconds were mistakenly given to the cows. Cows love turnips, but they need to be chopped up a bit (as does anything the size of an apple) so the cows don’t choke. Needless to say, Cookie, in her great enthusiasm, inhaled a turnip that promptly became wedged in her esophagus. Without a way to let out her very special cow burps, she started to blow up like a balloon. Poor Cookie! Between calling the vet, calling our dairy friends, and doing online research on how to quickly relieve cow choke (a newspaper from New Zealand in 1911 served to be the most useful), we were getting ready to dive into some serious cow rescue territory when Cookie coughed up the turnip. What a relief. She promptly burped out all the gas and deflated to live another day.

If any members want to switch their pickup day from Sunday, Monday or Tuesday to pickup at the farm on Thursday evening, please let me know! The harvests are a bit lopsided toward the early part of the week, and if we’re able to shift a few more members to Thursday it would be great. Also, if you are a cheese, yogurt or milk member, please remember to bring back your empty jars and cheese bag.

Have a wonderful week, enjoy the green crunchy goodness this week (never had what looks like an alien in your CSA bag before?  Welcome to kohlrabi!) and be in touch with any questions!

Reba, Bill and the HCF crew

Summer CSA Week 2 of 16: Kale (many varieties to choose from), Napa Cabbage, Pea Shoots, Lettuce Mix or Lettuce Head or Spinach, Gailon or traditional Broccoli

A little more about some of  this week’s veggies:

• Kohlrabi: It looks a little like an alien, but its crunchy, broccoli-like texture and flavor makes it great peeled and then shredded in slaws or sliced up into thin rounds as a crunchy layer in a sandwich.
• Napa Cabbage: Famous in kimchi, Napa can also be used like other cabbages in any sort of slaw, stirfry or salad. Chop the leaves and the stalks up and use in tacos.
• Pea Shoots: The tendrils from pea plants that we specifically grow for this purpose, pea shoots are great chopped up and tossed on top of salads, stir fries, or other dishes.  Or, my favorite, just munch on them and feel like you’re doing a grazing cow impersonation.  

This week’s recipes: Kohlrabi-Sesame Slaw, Napa Cabbage Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Summer Week Two Add-ons: Milk, Bread, Tofu, Cheese, Mushrooms, Oil & Vinegar

Click here to see a picture of Michael and Poutine the barn cat in the hoophouse.