The most dramatic moment of last week was probably on Friday, when apprentice Aleena fearlessly ventured down a ladder into a well that we’re in the process of hooking up to the barn. She didn’t have to go deep (or get wet) to do the work that was needed, but without her key role as a small person willing to go in a small space, our new solar water pump would not be almost ready. And for those of us who stumbled upon the scene in which Aleena appeared to be encased in concrete, casually having a conversation with Bill who was holding a blowtorch… it was quite the tableau! 

We’ve been keeping our eye on what we hope will be one of the better watermelon harvests in years. The fruit are beautiful and look alllmost ready, but the deer have begun taking a bite out of this one here, a bite from that one there. So we’re doing what we can to protect the fruit and hope to have them to you in a week or so. There are two items that you’ll start to see in the CSA which may be unfamiliar to some of you: Husk Cherries and Tomatillos. They look like small (Husk Cherries) and large (Tomatillos) versions of the same thing, but the Husk Cherries are best popped out of their papery covering and snacked on raw, while Tomatillos are best taken out of their ‘paper’ and grilled or roasted and put into salsa verde. They will both continue to arrive in your shares in the weeks to come, too. 

The sadness of this coming week is that the amazing apprentice duo of Marya and Cedar will leave us to return to college on Thursday. They have both contributed so much to this season, not the least being that they both seriously helped me maintain my sanity when Bill was flat on his back for weeks. We so appreciate their positivity and willingness to jump into whatever task is at hand. Even though we know that Maine will never replace Marya’s beloved Vermont in her heart, and that Cedar will likely never voluntarily pick bunches of herbs ever again, we will miss them terribly and hope to coax them back to visit the HCF family as often as possible. 

Finally, there are about ten spots remaining in the Fall CSA. If you haven’t signed up yet and want to join, let me know asap! And if you made a commitment to the Sisterhome project in Nepal, please send your contribution along soon! 

Have a great week and enjoy your veggies!

Reba and the HCF crew

Week 11 Veggies: Herbs (Basil, Cilantro or Dill), Onion, Zucchini/Zephyr/Patty Pan Summer Squash, Cucumber, Slicing Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic, Swiss Chard or Beets with Greens, Carrots, Husk Cherries or Eggplant or Tomatillos

Week 11 Add-on Shares: Milk, Yogurt, Tofu, Mushrooms, Oil & Vinegar, Bread, Eggs, Ferments

This week’s recipes: Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant and Tomato dip)

Cheese Week 11, Oil & Vinegar Week 11