Week #5 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Cucumbers are Cool (on the inside)

Our cucumbers are exploding with fruit (yes, they are a fruit) so I thought I would share with you some thoughts on what to do with them over the next few weeks. Did you know that cucumbers are in the same family as watermelons and cantaloupe? Another cool fact (no pun intended) is that the inside of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature... now you know where the phrase "cool as a cucumber" came from! 

There are generally two kinds of cucumbers, pickling and slicers. In your box you will only find slicing cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers as the name suggests are used to make pickles! Slicers can be eaten in many different ways. Our returning customers will know that our favorite is making tzatziki - a greek yogurt based dip made with cucumbers, garlic and dill. Recipe here!

For more info about cucumbers and their nutritional value, recipes, etc. follow this link.

So... What else is in the Box this week?

• Mixed Lettuce with Spinach
• Cucumber - New
• Beets
• Broccoli or Cauliflower
• Turnip for the full shares
• Beans - yellow and green - New
• Kale
• Peppers - New (gave everyone a taste of the peppers as they ripen up - this week, there is a mix of sweet green peppers, purple "musto gusto", jalapeno, & yellow hungarian wax)
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Basil
• Parsley
• Chives
• Oregano
• Dill
• Cilantro for the full shares
• Swiss Chard for the full shares

We pick the vegetables within 24 hours of the box being delivered. We do rinse the produce but it would be prudent to wash all vegetables when you get them home. Keeping the herbs (ends) in a cup of clean water will keep them fresh longer.

Please return your empty box along with all re-usable containers (ice cream pails, plastic containers, etc) so that we can reuse them all over again. 

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