Weekly Weeder

Olin-Fox Farms Volume No. 10 Issue No. 14 June 25, 2008

www.olinfoxfarms.com Summer Season Week 4

STANDARD REMINDER

Please be sure to wash your weekly share thoroughly before serving. To preserve freshness, it is NOT ‘table ready’ (i.e., pre-washed). We deliver your Olin-Fox Farms’ produce right from the fields to ensure highest quality.

REMINDER: This is the Fourth week of the Summer Program.

Next Week is an OFF Week, July 2-5.

The Fifth Week of the Summer Program is July 9-12.

Schedules can also be found on our website, www.olinfoxfarms.com

This Week's News From The Farms

We hope you all have been enjoying your produce thus far, as we have been. We have received many compliments from you, and in one case, a member noted that they really appreciated the beautiful, slightly blemished produce, knowing that it is not all about the looks of the produce, it's about the taste.

So, keeping that in mind, when you see some spots on your peaches in the fruit shares this week, they are perfectly fine. It's just that they have not been sprayed with chemicals to prevent the spotting.

Some of you have asked for more suggestions on how to prepare certain types of produce. We normally try to include a recipe or two. You can also find seasonal recipes in past newsletters on our website, www.olinfoxfarms.com.

Eventually, we hope to compile a seasonal cookbook from the recipes we have collected over the last 10 years worth of newsletters.

In other news, the summer crops are really starting to produce well. Yields have picked up on cucumbers, and we are expecting a great tomato and pepper season starting the week of July 8-12. And, with Mother Nature's cooperation, the tomatoes should run well into the fall.

We as well as our Family of Fine Farms have planted many varieties of tomatoes to include Beefsteak, Brandywine, Old German, Tigerella, Red Grape, Sweet 100s, Sungold and Rutgers to name a few.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Betsy & Barnaby Roberts for providing us with some beautiful organically raised seedlings this year. So, get ready for those BLTs, Gazpacho, tomato sandwich, or just a tomato straight up with just a dash of salt.

Also we are doubling up on the Fruit Share due to some of the recent storms that have produced damaging hail that has thinned some of the peaches and other fruit trees. So as to assure that you receive a fair share of fruit, we feel it necessary to double up while this fruit is available. Also note that these are early peaches that are firm. To soften up, set on a counter for several days.

Have a safe and Happy Fourth!

In Your Produce Basket This Week

Green Beans, Lettuce, Spearmint, Onions, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Beets

See your site's produce list for more details.

For Those With Fruit Shares: Blackberries and Peaches

Please Note: With elements beyond our control such as the start or the end of a harvest, or extreme weather conditions that may limit the quantity of produce coming in, we systematically address each delivery and pick up group each week and do our very best to see that everyone receives some of everything.

Recipes/Information

Squash

Yellow squash and zucchini can be eaten raw like a cucumber. They are great sliced with your favorite dip, one of our favorites is hummous.

Steamed Cheesy Veggies – easy and delicious!

2 Yellow Squash or Zucchinni, sliced in rounds

1 Cup Green Beans, chopped

1 Chopped Onion

2 Cloves Diced Garlic

1/3 cup water

¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese

Salt, to taste

Combine all ingredients except cheese in a 10 inch skillet and bring to boil over medium heat. Cover and steam 10 to 12 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and add cheese and salt to taste.

Kohlrabi

This year, small amounts of Kohlrabi have been available, so we are distributing it throughout the CSA, group by group. Many members have asked about this alien-looking vegetable, so we're offering a couple ideas.

Kohlrabi acts and tastes similar to turnips, so use it as you would a turnip. Peel the outer layer off, then chop into matchsticks to provide a healthy crunchy snack. Or, peel, and chop into cubes and steam with carrots, a nice combination of sweet and tangy.

Bon Appetit!