CR
Crop Talk
The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
October 26, 2015: Member Bonuses

18780 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
Member Bonuses Continue
October 26 -- November 1















Broccoli
Winter Squash
Tomatoes
Apples

While Supplies Last

Our thanks to all the members who responded to the 2015 CSA survey. Your feedback will help us improve our program next year!
The Great Tuber Debate:
Sweet Potatoes versus White Potatoes
Experts at Precise Nutrition weigh in.

   "They're both called 'potatoes.'  They're both ancient, honored foods whose cultivation stretches back thousands of years.  They both originated in Central and South America and have since spread throughout the world.  They both taste great and make a fine side dish.

   Yet, botanically, potatoes and sweet potatoes are completely unrelated.
   Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are in the Solanaceae Family, related to tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant along with deadly nightshade. Plants in this family produce solanine, which is poisonous. So don't eat the leaves or stems of any plant in this group, or potatoes that have gone green. 
   Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are in the Convolvulaceae Family, along with flowering morning glory vines. You can eat the leaves of sweet potatoes, which are very nutritious."

Read more here.
Lucky Duck Giant Pumpkin Drop 
for Boulder Crest Retreat
Sunday, November 1 at 2:00

   Join us on Sunday for our second annual Great Pumpkin Drop, and see if your Lucky Duck is one of the winners in our Boulder Crest Fund Raising contest. 
     Boulder Crest is a rural sanctuary that provides free accommodations, ac tivities, and programs to help our nation's military  and veteran personnel and their families recover  and reconnect during their long journey of healing from physical and invisible wounds of war. The Retreat is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization entirely funded  through private donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.

  Pumpkin Chunkin' November 1 -- 3 in the Drop Zone.
Bring your Jack-o-lantern for upside down fireworks!
Sunflower Logo
In This Crop Talk:
Featured Recipes


   "I have made this soup for many people who have given it this title! It takes a bit of effort, but it's well worth it. Please note: for those who do not wish to use bacon, substitute 1/4 cup melted butter for the bacon grease and continue with the recipe. I generally serve this soup as a special treat as it's not recommended for people counting calories."

Read more here.



   "This pie has an old fashion look and taste to it because I use a fresh pumpkin not pumpkin from the can. I make this recipe myself because I like squash and have always liked the smell of the jack-o-lantern as a child. I have also used an acorn squash. This is for the person who likes to "putter" in the kitchen. Yes, it's time consuming. This recipe will make one pie plus one quart pumpkin custard see directions."
 
Read more here.
 
 Russian Mushroom and Potato Soup 
  
   "I make this soup every Halloween -- it's the signal to the family that the cool weather has arrived. I've been making it for 15 years now, and out of all the soups I make, it's still everyone's favorite. Enjoy!" 
 
Read more here.


   "This is absolutely amazing! My husband and vegetarian daughter asked for it not once but twice this week. My daughter, who is very picky, declared that the flavors were a "symphony." She also told me that this was the best thing she had ever eaten. My away-from-home daughter asked for the recipe as soon as I told her about it. Now she can't wait to try it. A Home-Run!"

Read more here.

 
 
   Granny Smith apples are the key to this crisp, because their tartness is delicious with the sweet, crunchy oat-flecked crumb topping. 
 
Read more here.
 
 
 
This Week in the Farm Market
Apples
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Pie Pumpkins
Buttercup Squash
Carnival Squash
Delicata Squash
Acorn Squash
Broccoli

 
2015 Bonus Ticker
What is this?  Each week we offer a bonus u-pick item for members visiting the farm and this ticker  tracks the dollar value of the bonuses. Many members find that month picking adds a nice extra value to their CSA share. 

This year's U-pick bonuses added $187.94 
in extra value to each share.That's nearly half the cost of a farm pick-up membership!