Crop Talk, August 28, 2017: CSA Week 13

Crop Talk August 28, 2017

CSA Week 13

Believe it or not, there are pumpkins in the market this week -- just for show, but still! The report on the winter squashes is first rate: butternut, delicata, acorn, carnival, and spaghetti squashes are having a good year, and they'll be ready soon.

We have pears in this week's box. There's a section of peaches on the apple side of the road that's still producing well, but we'll soon say good bye to those fuzzy-skinned fruits.

We've been blessed with a lot of chard this year -- that's how I see it, though I understand that some of you may be asking what all that chard is doing for you. Well, consider this information from Dr. Mercola at World's Healthiest Foods :

"Recent research has shown that chard leaves contain at least 13 different polyphenol antioxidants, including kaempferol, the cardioprotective flavonoid that's also found in broccoli, kale, strawberries, and other foods. But alongside of kaempferol, one of the primary flavonoids found in the leaves of chard is a flavonoid called syringic acid. Syringic acid has received special attention in recent research due to its blood sugar regulating properties. This flavonoid has been shown to inhibit activity of an enzyme called alpha-glucosidase. When this enzyme gets inhibited, fewer carbs are broken down into simple sugars and blood sugar is able to stay more steady."

Besides that, it's delicious braised with one of those great white onions and some garlic, over black beans or a sweet potato pancake.

Click here for braising instructions from Epicurious.

A few reminders as we pass the midpoint of the CSA season:

1. CSA shares are not available on Sunday or Monday.

2. The you-pick bonus for each week begins on Tuesday -- your bonus for week 11 won't be available until tomorrow, for example -- and bonuses are always contingent on supply.

3. To forestall confusion among non-members, please consume your bonus items only after you have exited the wagon and the market. And please remember to grab wristbands before getting on the wagon.

Thanks for your help in these matters.

Week 13 Shares Include: chard, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, pears, apples, onions

Pick-your-own bonus: 6 apples, bag of Concord grapes

Vacation Plans?

Our thanks to members who have logged into their accounts to request vacation holds for weeks when they will be away. May we suggest that you log back into your account before leaving to confirm that your request was accurately noted? If you see anything unexpected, send an email to CSA@greatcountryfarms and let us know. Thanks.

Corn Maze Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the VA Secretary of Agriculture

The Virginia for Lover’s website notes that LOVE is the most powerful emotion, the most magical feeling. LOVE lifts us up, knocks us down, makes us laugh, makes us cry, makes us push harder, and makes us tread lighter. But LOVE’s best trick is slowing the world down. The "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan has endured for more than 45 years, and Great Country Farms is proud to honor Virginians and all we LOVE with our Corn Maze theme this year.

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony September 1 at 11am. We are pleased to welcome Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture, Basil I.Gooden, and other Loudoun dignitaries to cut the ribbon and be among the first to conquer the maze.

Get Details RSVP for the Ribbon Cutting

Stone Cottage ~ Couples Escape

Looking for a quick get-away to celebrate your anniversary, birthday or other special occasion? The Stone Cottage at Bluemont Vineyard is just the ticket! Nestled among the apple and cherry orchards just below the Tasting Room, the Stone Cottage offers a great escape to reconnect and celebrate with the one you love!

Get Details & Check Stone Cottage Availability

Dogs Like Good Food Too

CSA members Eric and Julie Parkhurst understand that your dog's health depends on what he eats, just as yours does. That's why they started EJ's Meats & Treats, a family business that produces smoked and dehydrated natural pet treats. Each of their treats is hand-processed, with no unnatural preservatives, additives or fillers. Meat treats are made from all natural free-range livestock and poultry raised on family-run USDA certified farms in the United States. And they use produce from Great Country Farms. EJ’s Meats & Treats takes pride in the quality and love that goes into each treat that goes into your pet's mouth. Never before has spoiling your pet been so affordable.

A selection of their treats is now available in our market.

Cooking with Lee

Long-time CSA member Lee Draznin has embarked on a blogging project this year: it's called "What Do I Do With This Box?" , and the name speaks for itself. We invite all of you to join us in Lee's kitchen for the next few months, while we learn how he uses the bounty that comes to his door every week.

Here's Lee's post from Week 12:

" Wow! What a box! Last week I was thrilled to receive a comment on one of my posts. It feels silly to write this, but I’m never sure if anyone is actually reading this little pet project of mine. A comment confirms it…I have at least one reader who is not related to me. To make things even more interesting to me, my reader is correct. We are swimming in potatoes.

Last week at Great Country Farms held their annual Pancakes and Potatoes weekend. This was a great opportunity to actually dig potatoes out of the ground. Digging by hand is so much fun. It is, however, back breaking work. Farmer Mark always helps by ripping a few rows for the folks who are u-picking. Without the tractor doing the hard work, pulling potatoes would be so much more work."