CSA Week 2

Welcome to the second week of the Weir River Farm CSA! Today marks the first day of summer, and we're feeling it on Weir River - the long, hot, dry days are here!  Every bit of rain helps up here, so make sure you're doing your duty and trying out a rain dance for us every now and then.  The first succession of veggies and flowers are in the ground, so now comes the balancing act of irrigation, weeding, scouting, and (eventually) harvest.  Its a lot of work for one person, so I will be reaching out to volunteers in the coming weeks - if you're interested, feel free to speak to me at the CSA.

We'll be trying out a bold new system this week at CSA pickup - we wont be bunching or bagging!  We'll provide you with a bounty of loose greens and more, and you can use your discretion as to how much you take. As long as everyone is conscientious of other members’ needs, I think this will be a superior system that gets people more of what they want and less of what they don't, while also cutting down on leftover veggies and plastic bags usage (that's a win/win). It might take a few weeks to iron out the kinks, but I have faith we'll all be happy with the outcome.

In other CSA news, we'll also be trying out CSA pick-up on the yellow house porch instead of inside the yellow house. You can park right next to the porch on the grass and come up the porch stairs (enter at the driveway right before the yellow house on Turkey Hill lane), or just enter through the kitchen and make your way to the porch.

Enough from me - I'll leave the rest to Farmer Des…here is what's in your upcoming share and some recipes, taken right from the Chestnut Hill Farm blog. Have a great week and look forward to seeing you Thursday!

- Farmer Casey 

In your Share (weather/final ripening permitting!):

Scallions

Chard

Garlic Scapes

Lettuce: Romaine and Leaf

Salad mix

Escarole

Braising Mix (mustards, spinach, baby kale, arugula, asian greens)

Broccoli Rabe (Rapini)

This is the week of bitter greens- not spicy, but bitter and wonderful. Escarole is a green head that looks like lettuce that you've either had and lovelovelove or you've never ever heard of it....it is similar to endive and chicory and has that same bitter flavor. I love it. It is a vegetable that I look forward to every year. I think it is best sauteed in olive oil, lemon juice and tossed with white beans and goat cheese and garlic. I could eat a whole bowl. However, most folks are daunted by its bitter tendency- they feel the same about broccoli raab which is also in your share this week and is also another favorite. If you aren't familiar with bitter greens, they are wonderful- full of folic acid and tops out spinach for Vit A & D. You have to be pretty hardcore to eat them raw (though they are great in a mixed salad- like radicchio in flavor). Mellow them out by eating them with creamy sauces such as alfredo and hollandaise. Add them to soups such as Italian Wedding soup. Check out CookThink for more info about escarole and I found a gorgeous recipe for broccoli raab here.

And a favorite recipe for lettuce…

Honey Lemon Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients 
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Chicken breasts, finely diced
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
3 Tbsp Honey
1/2 tsp Poppyseeds
6 Butter lettuce leaves
1 CUP Julienned carrots
1/4 CUP Microgreens or cilantro
1 1/2 CUPS cooked jasmine or sticky rice (optional)

Directions
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt coconut oil.
2. Add garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30-45 seconds.
3. Add diced chicken and soy sauce to the pan, saute just until chicken is barely pink.
4. Add lemon zest and honey, turn heat to medium and cook just until honey is caramelized.
5. Toss in poppyseeds.
6. Serve in lettuce leaves (with rice, if desired). Top with julienned carrots, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and microgreens as garnish.
7. Enjoy!

Alternates: You don't need to use butterhead lettuce for wraps- any lettuce will do....You can sub in your favorite pulled chicken or pork with BBQ and throw in lettuce wrap with cole slaw/avocado/salsa.

Vegetarian options: You can substitute strips of eggplant or white beans for the chicken.