Week #12 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Final Treats

Well, twelve weeks have rolled by and we find ourselves on the last week of our CSA share for 2014. We have enjoyed feeding you all, new customers and old (or should I say returning :). Its been a growing season of extremes.. wet start and wet finished sandwiched between a very dry spell. As usual some plants enjoyed the season and others didn't. We hope that despite any of the challenges that you ate well, learned something new and expanded your eating experience. 

The final box will bring a few final treats: 

• Eggplant - this purple people pleaser is yummy fall treat. Slice it up and roast or fry it or make our favorite baba ghanoush - a Mediterranean dip.  
• Tomatillo - you will find these gems inside the paper bag. This is the best way to store them. Tomatillos are often referred to as the Mexican tomato and grow with a papery husk around them that you remove. (similiar to ground cherries). A tomatillo is the main ingredient in many salsas such as salsa verde.
• Spaghetti Squash - as many of you know our squash experiment using straw bales did not do as well as we would hope. Between this new growing technique and the weather conditions this growing season, most of our squash are delayed and are not yet ready. We have tucked in a special treat from our friends from Almost Urban Farm who had some spaghetti squash to share. Please be assured that they too grow their veggies in a natural, sustainable manner with no pesticides or herbicides. A huge thank to them for helping us out! 
• Pumpkin - Fall would not be fall if it didn't have pumpkins! This year we grew both the traditional orange pumpkins as well as a yellowish "ghost" pumpkin variety. We wanted to be sure that you all got your pumpkin before the end of the CSA so we have tucked them in the box. If your pumpkin is still green, do not fear it will ripen up over the next few weeks in time for carving or eating - whatever your pleasure! 
• Finally, we've also tucked in a small potted cilantro plant for your windowsill. May the fresh, fragant smell of this yummy herb extend your summer just a little. 

So... What's all in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Romaine Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Spaghetti Squash - New!
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant - New!
• Beans
• Tomatillos - New!
• Ground Cherries
• Melons 
• Kale
• Carrots
• Peppers - Hot and Sweet
• Onion
• Leeks
• Potatoes
• Rhubarb
• Pumpkin - New!
• Dried Basil - for full shares only
• Potted cilantro plant - New!

Please keep in touch! As you may know we sell eggs, meats and selected other products all year round so check back here regularly for updates. We are gearing up for Open Farm Day this Sunday from 11-4 when we, along with many other farms, open our farms to the public. As always you are welcome to come for a visit, either on Sunday or any other day. Just let us know. Thank you so much for your confidence and trust in our products... we look forward to feeding you in the future. 

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Week #11 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Marvelous Melons

As we contemplate the frosty weather forecast, we have decided to harvest the majority of our melons this week as they won't make it through the projected frost on Thursday. Some are fully ripe and ready, while others may need to ripen a little in your fridge. Better that they are safely with you, then risking losing them all! We grew three types of melons this year, watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melons - mainly as they are typically the three most popular. Below I have tried to give you some pointers on how to tell if a melon is ripe: 

Cantaloupe - You can use three of your five senses to see if a cantaloupe is ready to eat. First smell it, a ripe cantaloupe will smell sweet and musky. If it is not ripe.. you won't smell anything at all. Then push with your finger (gently) on the opposite side to the stem. Use your thumb and press down. You want it to give a little. Finally take a look, cantaloupes are unripe when the skin beneath the textured 'web' is green and ripe when orange or golden. 

Honeydew Melon - The best way to tell when honeydew melons are perfectly ripe is to feel the melons. Ripe melons have some very fine veining that you can only detect by touch. The melon should not be soft or scarred in any areas and should be somewhat fragrant. Again, the side opposite to the stem should give a little when you press on it and the skin begins to take on a creamy yellow/cream appearance.

Watermelons: It is extremely difficult to tell if a watermelon is ripe by just looking; it must be examined. Store the harvested fruits at 50 degrees to 60 degrees F. Here are indications you can look for: 

1. Thump it. If the watermelon sounds hollow (if you hear a dull thump/thud), the melon is usually ripe. This is difficult for less-gifted ears. The unripe melon will have a tighter, metallic ringing sound. 

2. Look for the spot where the melon rested on the ground; a yellow-white, yellow or a cream-yellow color spot suggests ripeness and a white or pale green spot indicates immaturity. A green watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom. . 

3. The rind where the fruit laid on the soil should toughen and resist denting with a fingernail when the melon is ripe. Scratch the surface of the rind with your thumbnail. If the outer layer slips back with little resistance, showing a green-white color under the rind, the watermelon is ripe.

4. Press on it. If the watermelon feels like it gives a little, it's ripe.

5. Rely on your nose, and check for a melon with strong fragrance. Breath deeply and follow your nose to a sweet ripe melon. Next, look for a melon that is heavy for its size, because if you have two melons of equal size, the heavier one is almost assuredly the riper and better tasting melon.

6. Still confused? Guess. All indicators will not always work. Take your best shot and go with it. 

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

• Rhubarb
• Swiss Chard
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Turnip or Kohlrabi
• Beans - for full shares only
• Ground Cherries
• Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon) New!
• Kale
• Carrots
• Peppers (sweet and hot)
• Onions
• Leeks
• Potatoes
• Peas - for the half shares only
• Herbs (oregano, chives, rosemary, cilantro)

Note: As next week (September 16th & 17th) is the last week of the CSA, please ensure that all boxes are returned and that you bring with you bags to pack your last delivery of vegetables into. 

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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #10 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Soup for September

September is here and whether we like it or not, fall is in it's way. The mornings are getting nippy and the evenings noticeably shorter. To cheer your end of summer blues, we are suggesting some yummy soup! 

In our CSA box this week, you will find some leeks and of course some potatoes (along with other things!). Thus, you have the makings of potato and leek soup! The recipe we like to use is here and the result is a hearty, creamy soup along with a salad and some bread would be a wonderful fall supper! 

While I have your attention.. thought I would pass along two important notes: 

1) We are again participating in Open Farm Day on September 21st. While our CSA share holders are always welcome to tour/visit the farm... if you haven't made it out to visit us, feel free to come on the 21st. There are many other farms participating... for more info check out this website. 

2) For those who have been waiting... our beef is ready as of today. If you are interested in fresh beef, check out our products page and send an email to order. For those that have ordered, we will be in contact shortly to arrange to meet up... or "meat up" :) 

So... What's (else is) in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes - large and cherry
• Beets
• Turnip or Kohlrabi
• Ground Cherries
• Kale
• Carrots
• Peppers - Hot and sweet varieties
• Onion
• Leeks - New!
• Potatoes
• Herbs - oregano, rosemary, curled parsley, cilantro, chives

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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #9 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Ground Cherries

I can't believe we are at Week #9 of our CSA program this year already! I have to admit that this morning picking vegetables it felt decidedly fall-like! 

This week everyone has a bag of ground cherries. If you are not familiar with these golden nuggets you are in for treat! I've heard someone describe the taste of ground cherries as like a cherry tomato injected with mango and pineapple juice! That's a fairly apt description for this fruit that are similiar (and in the same family as gooseberries. They can be used in both sweet or savory recipes or just eaten plain and simple. You can use them in salsa, put them in pie, tarts or cake or our favorite... make jam! 


ground cherry jam recipe:
3 cups ground cherries
1/4 cup orange juice
1/8 cup white sugar
1/4 cup honey
zest of 1/2 an orange
pinch of sea salt

Our CSA customers can count on getting ground cherries each week for the remainder of the season. They are ripe and ready to be picked when they fall off the plant to the ground, so we need to pick frequently. Luckily Ground cherries will keep for up to 3 months in the fridge - best in a mesh bag (like those that other produce sometimes come in from the store (i.e. onions or oranges). 

So... What's in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Zucchini for the half shares
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Broccoli for full shares
• Ground Cherries New!
• Kale
• Peppers - Hot peppers for all, Sweet and Hot for full shares
• Corn - New!
• Onions
• Potatoes (Yukon Gold variety)
• Herbs - parsley, chives, oregano, rosemary and cilantro

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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #8 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Do you want to Salsa?

Well the rain finally came and a big sigh of relief was felt by all things green (or pale yellow!). And with more rain in the forecast it looks like we will be have some ongoing moisture to ease some of the near drought conditions and our irrigation responsibilities. 

All our CSA shareholders will enjoy a large bag of tomatoes this week, so I thought a focus on what you can do with tomatoes would be appreciated. 

Tomatoes are a fruit even though many people think of them as a veggie. They belong to the nightshade family along with potatoes, egg plants, tomatillos, and ground cherries. The tomato is a very versatile item that can be used in drinks, sauces, salsas, salad or of course simply raw and unadorned! 

My favorite thing (after simply popping them in my mouth while still in the garden!) is to make fresh salsa - no need to cook or can, this is very easy when the ingredients are in good supply. 

Simply cut/dice fresh tomatoes, add chopped garlic and onion along with lime juice and/or a little bit of apple cider vinegar. Add cumin, minced hot peppers to your taste preference and plenty of fresh cilantro and you have a wonderful refreshing explosion in your mouth. For those of you who want a recipe to follow (I admit I never do...) I've linked to one here that will give you some ideas of ratios and amounts. Enjoy!

So... What's in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Zucchini - full shares only
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Turnip
• Beans - full shares only
• Kale
• Hot Peppers
• Onion
• Potatoes
• Herbs - this week besides chives and oregano, I gave everyone lots of cilantro so that you can use it for your fresh salsa - if you choose.

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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #7 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box

What started as a wet year has turned decidedly less moist! Watering is becoming a full time job as everything is looking parched. The nice thing is that this kind of weather slows down the mowing and weeding.... so trade offs everywhere. This is an exciting week of for all tomato lovers as your first lovely gems of the season have finally matured. We grow many different varieties and I hope you enjoy exploring the different colours and flavours as the weeks go on.

As the summer trundles along, we inevitably must turn our attention to the coming fall and winter and I encourage all of you to think about how you can continue your enjoyment of your veggies into the colder weather. At the risk of being called lazy, I thought I would simply link you back to my blog last year where I walked our shareholders through a number of ways that you can extend your harvest from freezing, drying and pickling. 

I'm busy drying our first crop of basil plants for you all so that you will have some dried basil through the winter and we will do the same with our cilantro/coriander plants a bit later in the season. So check out what you can do today to eat better tomorrow by checking out last year's post here.

So... What's in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Romaine Lettuce
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes New!
• Beets
• Broccoli for full shares
• Turnip
• Kohlrabi for full shares
• Beans
• Ground Cherries for full shares New!
• Kale
• Carrots
• Peppers (mostly hot)
• Onion New!
• Potatoes

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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies

Week #6 - 2014 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - Dog Days of Summer bring Cows?!

This nice long stretch of hot, sultry weather... often described as the Dog Days of summer... has put a smile on almost everyone's face! With the exception of the need to water more frequently, the hot weather is generally good news for all things plant like. The veggies are soaking up the warmth and growing well. Of course, lettuce, spinach and cilantro tend to bolt in this kind of weather which is only a problem if you want to eat them.. ;).

 Our most recent excitement was this week's birth of Grace's calf. If you haven't met Grace yet, she is our Dexter mama cow, who last year around this time, gave us Gwendolyn, a lovely heifer (which is what you call female cow who hasn't given birth yet). This year she has produced a healthy male (bull calf) who we have named Gaston! (big thanks to all our Facebook fans who sent in a multitude of suggested names!) 

Earlier this week, Grace very politely waited until morning, sauntered out to the back field and expertly delivered Gaston on her own. I think Gwendolyn was more excited than anyone, as she ran around, bellowing at the top of her lungs most of the day! You would swear she was announcing her new baby brother to the world! Mama, babe (and older sister) are doing well! 

It is hard to believe it is week #6 of our CSA share this year, meaning we are already half way through the twelve weeks. As usual the boxes are getting heavier each week, as more and more of the root vegetables become ready to eat! This week we have some yummy carrots ready for our shareholders. I've linked up some nutritional information about carrots  - they do more than help you see in the dark! as well as some recipes that you may expand your ideas of what to do with them! 

So... What's in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Mixed Lettuce/Spinach 
• Cucumber
• Beets
• Broccoli or Cauliflower
• Turnip - full share only
• Kohlrabi - full share only
• Beans
• Peas 
• Kale
• Carrots - New!
• Hot Peppers
• Potatoes
• Herbs (Dill, Oregano, Basil, Chives, Parsley (Curled and Flat leaf)

... and remember 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. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter at @FenezFollies