Week Five! Summer is on! Every harvest day on the farm starts in the same way — the crew and any visiting helpers gather in the wash shed and check out the “pick list.” The pick list is essentially a spreadsheet that gets longer each week of the season — from a list of mostly salad greens in early June to the fifteen or so items at this time of year to thirty or more items in August. The list lets the crew know how many members we are harvesting for (on Monday, that number is 95) and how much of each item we need (for example, 45 pounds of lettuce mix). Every week it’s exciting to have new vegetables pop up on the list like old friends appearing for a summer visit — and without the usual human summer visitors this year, I’ll definitely take old vegetable friends! 

This is the first week of the ten-week Flower CSA offered by Swell Farm in Rockland. We can’t wait to see the beautiful floral creations that Tracey will delivery to the Tuesday members! Remember that for all your shares, if you miss your pickup they go into the walk-in at the farm (except for bread, which goes on the shelves across from the walk-in) for you to get at any other point in the week. 

The reaction to the Genna/HCF fundraiser for the Somali Bantu Association’s Liberation Farm has been wonderful —  we’ve raised more than $3500 dollars, and all of those members will be receiving delicious treats starting next week! This add-on is now sold out, but donations can still be made to the Little Jubba Central Maine Agrarian Commons! 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by greens (or really any vegetable) check out the ‘How to Freeze Greens’ link in the recipes below or on our website. Putting greens by is so easy and you will really thank yourself when you’re cooking next winter! In the trades/seconds/extras area this week will be Tulsi (or ‘Holy Basil’). Tulsi is a medicinal herb often used in Ayurvedic healing, and in that tradition is considered an adaptogen that promotes longevity. Bring a couple branches home and try making a tea with the leaves! Bill dries lots of it and enjoys it all winter long. 

Have a great week, enjoy your veggies, and be in touch!

Reba and the HCF crew

CSA Vegetables Week Five: Lettuce Mix, Kale or Chard, Bok Choy or Cabbage or Kohlrabi, Hakurei Turnips, Scallions, Broccoli or Broccolini, Dill or Cilantro, Basil, Beets, Eggplant or Summer Squash, Garlic Scapes, Tulsi 

Week 5 Add-ons: Eggs, Tofu, Yogurt, Ferments, Mushrooms, Cheese, Oil & Vinegar, Milk, Bread, Flowers

This week’s recipes: Fried Greens Meatlessballs, How to Freeze Greens, Quesadillas with Cilantro Pesto, What’s Kohlrabi?!