This Week’s News from the Farm

We are currently meeting with the growers to discuss fall and winter crops. Some of the things being planned are: more natural honey, lettuces, greens, horseradish, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, Arugula, pumpkins, bok choi, and tatsoi. The only exception to our locally grown produce is naturally grown citrus from Florida. We are also making plans for spring and summer 2007.

We are planning a short Fall Program that will allow you to truly have four seasons of produce in 2006. The new All-Season Program will start in January 2007.

Last Friday we started something we've been talking about for a while – those who pick up their shares at the farm can purchase additional produce. It is an opportunity to obtain larger quantities than what is in the weekly share, and can also be an opportunity to purchase items that are not included in the weekly share. Often they are not included because there is not enough for the entire CSA. Crops do not come in large quantities at first, or else they do not produce in the quantities expected. Now that the chickens are slowing down their egg production, eggs can be purchased at the farm but will be included sporadically in the regular shares during the summer. It is at discounted prices as compared to store/farmer's market prices.

We wish that we could offer additional produce purchases to our distribution members, but we are limited by our current vehicle size.

Ethan Brent's a Hit!

We have received many comments about the Weekly Weeder, and thought we'd share a few while Ethan is out of town. A member who came to help at the farm last week thought he was very humorous, and in fact many members have said this. The Weekly Weeder was read at a mid-West family reunion, and people as far away as Washington State are enjoying Ethan's writing. A number of members have commented on the recipes and are using them.

People have asked what the term “Focalizer” means, so we will ask Ethan to define it when he returns.

If you are interested in past newsletters or forget to pick one up, they can be found at our website, www.olinfoxfarms.com.

We look forward to Ethan's return, and to reading about his trip to Sweden.

Crop Report

With this sultry weather, the summer crops are loving the heat, but all the farmers are suffering through the days with multiple showers or a quick head-rinse with the hose. The crops are growing faster than we can move.  The squash is slowing down. Green beans and okra are starting to come in heavily. Tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, potatoes and peppers are all bountiful. Corn should be distributed this week. 

Weekly Weeder, July 20, 2006 Page 2

In Your Produce Basket This Week

Argent Sweet Corn, Jade Green Beans, Cubanella Sweet Pepper, Brandywine & Beefsteak Heirloom Tomatoes, Red Grape/Sungold Mix, Cantaloupe, Garlic, Cilantro

Fruit Shares: Blackberries

Recipes

Gazpacho

3 cups diced tomatoes 1/2 small, well-minced onion

1/2 chopped green pepper 1/2 tsp. Honey

1/2 diced cucumber Juice of 1/4 lemon

1 tbs. Wine vinegar 1/8 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp. Tarragon dash of Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot

1/2 tsp. Basil pepper, to taste

1 tbs. Olive oil Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Puree all ingredients in a blender or food processor and chill for at least 2 hours. Makes 3 servings.

Roasted Garlic 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut off top of garlic so that the tops of the cloves are showing. Cut off the bottom of the garlic so it is flat. Place garlic in foil or a small dish. Drizzle virgin olive oil over the top of the garlic, then sprinkle salt and your favorite seasonings (rosemary & oregano are tasty). Enclose the garlic with the foil or cover the dish. Cook for 40 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the bulb.

The garlic achieves a buttery consistency that can be spread on French bread. Left-overs can be added to vegetables, spaghetti sauce, etc.