We’re rounding the corner into fall! It’s not just the start of the school (in all it’s unusual forms) or the constancy of the cricket chirps or the drier rustle of the leaves overhead. It’s the start of the Apple CSA that really lets us know! For those of you who signed up for the (now sold-out) Apple CSA, your every-other-week big brown bag of apple treasures will begin this week. You will receive an email from Cammy and John on Tuesday mornings that will describe the varieties you’ll receive that week. Apple shares can be picked up at your regular CSA time, or out of the walk-in at the farm at any point in the week.

One of the unofficial benefits of being a CSA member is that if you find yourself with a cantankerous rooster or a troublemaking stray cat, we’re often able to absorb the straggler into our farm crew. For example, a few weeks ago a former CSA member brought over her increasingly aggressive rooster. He was a beauty and though we knew that free-ranging on the farm would likely result in some life-expectancy challenges, we figured he could enjoy his good life stalking the farm driveway for as long as possible. Within the hour, though, we saw with horror that his beautiful tail feathers were scattered about the farm. CJ searched the woods, looking high and low, but couldn’t find him and we feared that his new farm life had been cut off within the hour of his arrival. That evening, though, we heard one crow and then another. But where was he? Not until we did chores did we find him. He had somehow found a way into the pen with our layer hens. They’re a motley group of old birds who sometimes lay eggs, more often don’t, and they were delighted to have a handsome young rooster in their midst. So instead of adventurously roaming the fields, he’s sequestered himself with the hens, safe and secure and living a the cossetted life of a re-homed rooster.  

Some of you might get shishito peppers in your share this week. Back in July, the same night we transplanted them, cut worms ate through 350 out of 400 of the plants. The remaining plants are producing well, but it’s hard for 50 plants to provide enough for 150 members. So we’ll try to make sure everyone who wants some gets a chance to enjoy them at least once over the coming weeks – seared on a griddle with oil and salt they, like french fries, are the perfect vessel for fat and salt!

Have a great week, enjoy the cooler temperatures, and we’ll see you soon!

Reba and the HCF crew

CSA Vegetables Week Thirteen: Kale/Chard, Parsley/Celery, Husk Cherries, Green/Red Peppers, Hot Peppers, Zucchini/Zephyr/Patty Pan Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Onion, Cherry Tomatoes, Big Tomatoes, Garlic, Shishito Peppers/Sprouting Broccoli/Eggplant

Week 13 Add-ons: Apples, Cheese, Mushrooms, Fiore, Milk, Bread, Eggs, Tofu, Yogurt, Ferments, Flowers

This week’s recipes: Zucchini (or other Summer Squash) Tian, Shishito Pepper Snacks, Parmesan White Bean Soup with Hearty Greens