Big Red Farm Share, July 2

HARVEST

Full Share:

• 2 heads lettuce
• 1/2 lb lettuce mix
• 2 bunches chard
• 2 lbs summer squash
• 1 lb new potatoes

Half Share:

• 1 head lettuce
• 1/4 lb lettuce mix
• 1 bunch chard
• 1 lb summer squash
• 1/2 lb new potatoes

Extras:

• Fresh herbs - your choice, limit 2 bunches per customer.  We will probably have parsley, chives, sage, and basil.
• More summer squash!  See below for lots of recipe ideas.

RECIPES

We're just barely into July, and already I'm offering you extra summer squash!  Please don't panic: you don't have to take it if you don't want to.  On the other hand, if you feel so inclined, here are several squash recipes from the archives; ranging from basic to elaborate, and from savory to sweet, I hope there's something here to appeal to any culinary mood.  Sauteed Summer Squash, Summer Squash Muffins, Courgettes & Yellow Summer Squash with Cumin, Summer Squash Ribbons with Almond Pesto, Creamy Zucchini Soup, Summer Squash Fritters.

It's also pretty early for potatoes (even new ones), but these mini-tubers were located in a part of the field that is being overrun by the Dreaded Canadian Thistle.  We let the potato plants grow, competing with the thistle, for as long as we dared, but our years-long campaign to eradicate this noxious weed involves the merciless, and repeated, disc harrowing of any area where thistle is threatening to become the primary crop.  Fortunately, the Dreaded Canadian Thistle's loss is your gain!  Nothing compares to the flavor of a recently-dug new potato, and their skins are so thin and tender you'll hardly notice them.  New Potato & Pea Soup was a late-spring/early-summer staple in my house growing up, and though I have yet to achieve a farming season in which both new potatoes and shelling peas are ready at the same time, it's worth making even if you have to use frozen peas.

PICK-UP LOCATION AND DETAILS

Share pick-up takes place at the farm, on Thursdays between 3:00 and 6:00pm.  Pull into the Lawrence Township community gardens and follow the gravel road uphill to the left.  Please remember to return last week's bags and/or containers, and sign in when you take your share.  Any payment can be placed in the envelope next to the sign-in sheet.  See you at the farm!