Although the surrounding area was pounded by rain this Thursday, Spoutwood remains relatively dry. We got some water from this week's storm, but not as much as we would have liked. No worries, though. Both of our streams are flowing strong and we've been irrigating the fields to keep the crops a-coming. Not even a draught can keep those dancing veggies away!
Approximately twenty members showed up to our Annual Meeting this past Sunday. Getting to know other shareholders is an important aspect of the CSA experience. In addition to good company and informative discussions, we enjoyed lots of yummy food. Those of you who were here know how good it was. Those who weren't can only imagine what you've missed out on and start counting the days until next year's meeting. We hope you'll all make it then.
Warning: Between picking and packing all vegetables are prewashed at the farm. The water that the vegetables are washed in, however, comes directly from our stream. This washing does help to keep the produce fresh and clean, but it does not completely purify. It is important that before you enjoy your harvest that you thoroughly wash the vegetables yourself.
Lettuce: No, your lettuce doesn't have a disease. This beautiful romaine is called "Freckles"!
Mustard Greens: Our best ever. A bitey addition to salads. Or cook lightly. Very high nutrition. Each share comes with one red leaf and several green.
Swiss Chard: It is wonderful cooked and anointed with butter or olive oil and seasonings. Add it raw to salads or chop into stir fries. Some of the leaves are from a variety called "Bright Lights" which have colored stems and veins.
Kale: Use in salads or cooked. (We recommend steaming or stir frying for most vegetables). This week's share includes Red Russian and Curly Green Kale.
Beet Greens: Beet greens are great in salads or cooked like spinach. These are thinnings from what looks to be a great beet crop.
Bok Choi: This popular oriental green is extremely succulent. Leafy parts are ideal for salads, while the stems (and the green leafy parts for that matter) were made for stir frying (although here at Spoutwood, we like the crunchiness of chopped stems in our salads). This is an important and tasty vegetable to get to know, so if you are at a loss, please give me a call.
Radishes: The radishes came on strong and may be beyond peak and a bit larger than you are used to. Hopefully the taste will still be excellent as we are growing several varieties that retain their crispness much longer than most. One variety is called "Easter Egg," which comes in many fun shades of red, pink and purple. Please don't throw the greens away. They are excellent cooked like spinach or raw in salads, and very nutritious as well.
Herb: Apple mint makes a great cooling tea. Just steep 2 teaspoons chopped mint per cup in boiling water for five minutes. Serve hot or iced.
Potato Kale Soup from Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce
4T Olive Oil 6 Medium Potatoes, peeled and Diced into ¾ inch cubes
2 Medium Onions, Chopped
3 Cups Coarsely chopped Kale
10 Cloves Garlic
½ T Red Chili Flakes
1/1/4 t Salt
Black Pepper to Taste
Heat oil in soup pot. Add onions, garlic, chili flakes, and salt. Sauté until onions are translucent. Add potatoes and enough water to cover by 4 inches. Bring to boil and cook covered until potatoes are about half done. Add Kale and cook uncovered until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. Puree soup in blender or food processor. Season with pepper to taste. Makes 4-6 Servings.
Spoutwood Farm's First Annual Summer Solstice Celebration
Saturday, June 22
8pm till the wee hours
Join us for drumming, dancing, and a jolly good time as we celebrate the High Summer. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, a time of celebration for centuries. Highlights include Michael Bull leading a Medicine Wheel, a Native American Spiritual Practice which aims to bring the practitioner into harmony with nature. Vanessa Bradley, one of our CSA share holders, along with her friends from Eight Stones and other local Yoga Studios will guide us in a Yogic Sun Salutation. The Yogic Sun Salutation honors the Sun and focuses the universal appreciation of and for Life. Bring with you a meal to share, something to drink, and an abundance of joy !
Help us make this first Solstice event one worth repeating in the years to come.
RSVP events@spoutwood.com (not required, but it helps us with planning)
Spoutwood Farm Day Spring Into Summer Sprucing
Sunday, June 23
9am till 4pm
Pitch in and help ready the farm for the coming Summer. We'll be doing a number of projects around the farm grounds in preparation for the coming season. In addition to gardening activities, there will be a lot of painting, building, reconstructing, and good ol' fashioned cleaning up. Lend a hand as we all work to get the farm into tip-top shape. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with your family and a spare set of work gloves to share with a friend.
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