Tuesdays
Choice Style
3:00pm - 6:30pm
Pre-Boxed
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Farmer Dave's Farm
437 Parker Road
Dracut, MA
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Farm Notes
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Lucy checking out the melons. By the smell she thinks the first will be ready in a week or two.
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When we are in a drought period like we are now, it takes a good amount of water to fully moisten the soil. Small amounts of rain merely keep the dust down for the day. There needs to be sufficient water to push the moisture deep enough into the soil to get to the roots. Last Saturday night we had a full half inch of rain. While not a lot of water, it is the most useful rain we have had in over a month. We definitely will not stop irrigating as a result of this rain, but at this point we will take all the
help from above that we can get.
With the prediction of the rain, we transplanted out more than a thousand broccoli, cauliflower and Romanesco plants. We are trying to make even more of these later season plantings of brassicas to help ensure a consistent harvest all season long. Transplanting in hot dry weather is very risky; the plants risk drying out before their roots can extend out in search of water and nutrients. Three
cloudy days with some rain makes it much easier and less risky for us to transplant. As they say, timing is everything.
We recently sent out a member survey for all those who participated in the spring share. If you had a spring share, please spend a few minutes on the survey. Based on member feedback in past surveys, we now grow a lot more alliums than we used to. For the last several years we have been growing more garlic, onions, and leeks (all alliums). Since we irrigate, this year's dry weather has been very good for the allium family. The garlic scapes are now all harvested. This week's share will probably be the last of this unique early season specialty. This week we will also enjoy some onions, still fresh with the green tops. I love onions at this time of year as I feel we are getting double the onion and they are much milder in flavor. I first chop up the tops for cooking and then later use the main onion.
Enjoy the abundance,
Farmer Dave
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Now Hiring!
We are seeking people who are:
-Friendly, engaging, and have excellent customer service ability
-Are passionate about local food and sustainable agriculture
-Have a working knowledge of fruits and vegetables.
-Are motivated, energetic, positive, outgoing, and flexible.
-Are available through late October
-Are available 20-40 hours per week, 4-6 days per week, mid-morning through late afternoon / early evening.
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In Your Share: Week 5
We're getting into the swing of the season now. You can expect your CSA shares to have a wider variety of the best that the summer has to offer. Summer squashes, cucumbers, fennel, and fresh onions are all highlights this week.
This is what we are planning and hoping to harvest this week. Ultimately Mother Nature has the last word so the actual contents of your share will vary.
- Lettuce
- Beets
- Fennel or Radishes
- Kale or Spinach
- Cucumbers
- Assorted squash
- Fresh Onions
- Chives or basil
- Garlic Scapes
- and more!
Fruit Share:
- Strawberries, blueberries or raspberries depending on harvest conditions
- Macintosh Apples
*Farmer Dave's does not spray fungicides on our berries. This provides what we believe to be a safer product for our members and farmers but means that we can only harvest in optimal (dry) conditions. If there is rain in the forecast we will not be able to harvest berries for our fruit shares because they would mold quickly once harvested. We also recommend that our members plan to use their berries within 48 hours of pickup. They will not last as long as store bought berries.
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Spotlight on Summer Squash!
 July is here which means the trickle of summer squash from the fields is going to become a deluge of deliciousness. Farmer Dave's grows five different varieties of summer squash: zucchini, kousa, golden zucchini, patty pan and straight-necked summer squash.
Zucchini, golden zucchini and kousa all have small seeds and firm flesh. They can be used interchangeably in recipes. Combine multiple varieties to jazz up your meals! Golden zucchini is slightly sweeter and has denser, smoother flesh than green zucchini.
Pattypan (also known as scallop squash or custard squash) has very firm flesh that holds its shape exceptionally well when cooked. This quality makes it a favorite to stuff. Try stuffing pattypan with brown rice, Maplebrook Farm mozzarella cheese, and pesto. Pattypan is absolutely gorgeous when sliced crosswise and used in a saute or gratin.
Straight-necked summer squash has the highest water content and largest seeds of the bunch. It's delicious raw or lightly sauteed. Be careful not to overcook this one or it turns to mush.
Summer squashes are extremely versatile. Here are just a few of the many common ways that summer squashes can be eaten:
- Shaved raw into salads (try Ginger's Shaved Summer Squash and Herb Salad!)
- Cut into spears and served with hummus or dip (great for toddlers and young children!)
- Shredded into ribbons and used as a pasta substitute
- Steamed
- Sliced in rounds, smothered in cheese and baked
- Stuffed with meat or rice (Try Sheryl's Stuffed Pattypan recipe!)
- Added to stir fry
- Our favorite preparation method- Sauteed in olive oil and garlic
- Zucchini bread!
- Chocolate Zucchini cake!
Storage:
Dry thoroughly and store in the fridge in a plastic bag. It's really important that they are dry as moisture easily permeates the flesh and causes soft spots. The Golden Zucchini has a particularly short storage life. They should be used within a few days.
Check out this Vegisode, where Cassie and Stacey walk you through several ideas for preparing Summer Squash. You must try the BBQ Pasta Salad!
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| VEGISODE: Summer Squash, Zucchini, Kousa and Patty Pan! |
Have a great tip or recipe to share?
Email it to us to have it included in our newsletter and recipe blog!
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Groundwork Share-a-Share:
Please consider helping us in our efforts to make the CSA accessible to more families by
donating to Groundwork Share-A-Share. With the help of CSA members like you, Groundwork has been able to help subsidize the cost of CSA shares for families who would otherwise be unable to afford participation.
To learn more about the program, click here.
Thank you all for helping us keep this program going in 2016!
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C
ontact Us:
Farmer Dave's CSA
437 Parker Road
Dracut, MA 01826
(978) 349-1952
farm@farmerdaves.net
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