Box Contents – Holiday Harvest Week 2, 2017

Helpful information about herbs you received can be found here: Your 2017 CSA Herb Garden

Helpful information on share contents can be found in the Produce Information Booklet

“Food For Thought” by Jennifer Borealo

Over the weekend we changed our calendars to December, the most festive month of the year. When you pick up your share, take a few minutes, spend some time with us. We have everything you need for decorations, we have some stocking stuffers, and we probably have ingredients that will help to complete some of your recipes as well. If you stop in the greenhouse the aroma of pine will fill you with the spirit of the season!

Another apple, another first. We did not have Goldrush apples in the shares through the season. They are a late apple that of course we picked in late November as the weather turned unseasonably cold. Reading about this apple I find that they are excellent keepers. They are said to have a tart tangy flavor that sweetens over time. We have so many apples that have a history reaching back into the 1800’s, not this apple. Developed at Perdue in the 1990’s with Golden Delicious and Rome apples sighted as parents. This morning I found that the Goldrush apple was not on our original chart in the index so I consulted Appleworks.com and found that the Goldrush apple is recommended as an all- purpose apple, from eating out of hand where they will keep their crunch for months to cooking, baking, and pies. I read a little about Fuji apples this morning on sweetseriouseats.com. Their recommendation for baking with a Fuji apple is to sauté a bit to soften the apple before adding to the pie filling. So I would say once again that the mix of apples in the share should help us through all our recipes this week.

As you might remember many of us will often look for suggestions for what we should grow in the following season or year. So Kombucha Squash has been on my list for a while. When I suggested it this year I was told that we already grow it. “What?” Buttercup is a variety of Kombucha. We have been growing this squash for years. When researching the two are rarely mentioned together. I am pleased to know that we already have something I wanted. Often used in soups and stews this squash lends itself well to dessert recipes too. I am including a recipe for Squash Gnocchi with Sage Butter. I have a recipe for ravioli that includes these flavors. Gnocchi is much easier to prepare, kind of fun, get the kids involved. There is no extra equipment needed. It can be served as a side or of course as a main dish. An Italian favorite with a twist that I am sure you will enjoy!

You continue to post on Facebook with your holiday share recipes. Everything looks delicious. Emily Strange is growing Mizuna from the roots and Miriam Mason will have to let us know how the basil plant with roots attached works out. I look forward to all your posts and I look forward to hearing from you as well. Please send me jenn@alstedefarms.com ideas you may have. Until next week, enjoy the freshness.