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This Week's Share:
Asparagus
Kohlrabi
Lettuce:
Green Romaine
Pac Choi
Parsley
Scallions
Strawberries
Some locations may receive:
Broccoli
EOW Will Also Receive:
Rhubarb
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Dear Members of Turtle Creek Gardens,
Week 2 for Full share CSA members marks the first delivery for EOW Group B folks. More greens, more asparagus, more strawberries, and fresh herbs round out the early summer harvest you'll find in your box. Enjoy!
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Last Sigh
We are entering our 2nd succession of crops on the farm for some things. Remember not long ago in early April when it snowed? Well, I thought it unusual at the time, since the snow didn’t melt away within hours like most spring snows do but lingered for days.
We had our first succession of transplants on our wagons to harden off before planting and had been rolling them in and out of the garage and pole barn to protect them from the freezing nights. When it snowed and remained cold enough not to melt the snow, alas the plants still needed to be exposed to light and watered. Bundled in boots and winter attire, we took the wagon out and began to water. Believe me, the scenario was ironic and possibly the first time I had ever done this before, so I called Robyn to capture the moment.
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Despite how beautiful and robust the plants seemed at the time, they were eventually planted in the field and endured other extreme elements and instability during their very short lives. Within 6 weeks from the date it snowed, it seemed the weather went through all the aspects of every season--winter, spring, summer, and fall--experiencing a full year cycle within that six-week window of time, including spiking temperatures which caused our spinach to bolt and who knows what other confusion and mayhem in the plant world.
The plant expresses itself through its physicality, so premature flowering or bolting is a sign of stress. Often, a dying apple tree, for instance, will muster the energy to produce a bounty of fruit before it expires--a last hurrah.
Today, harvesting the second succession of broccoli brought me back to that moment this April, watering plants in the snow. Our first succession of broccoli harvested last week was about 10” tall and barely 12” across (as opposed to knee-high and spreading itself broad enough to cover the ground) and we harvested
buttons.
When a broccoli plant undergoes stress, it prematurely flowers or “buttons”. We still manage to get a fraction of the harvest we’ve otherwise projected and these buttons to our customers are called florets, the flowering part of the plant small enough not to require chopping.
However, like I said, we are into our 2nd succession of broccoli this week and we continue to see the signs of stress in the expression of the plant. Very rare for us to have two crops in a row with this indicator. I did however glance across the field and lo-and-behold the 3rd succession looks broad and bold and much like broccoli should look. In the meantime, consider these florets a gift as the broccoli rejoices in a triumphant last sigh, last breath.
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When it's too hot to turn on the oven, turn to your grill for an alternative way to prepare all kinds of vegetable dishes, from sides to sandwich fillings.
Mixed Grilled Summer Vegetables Recipe
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13 Things to Do With Scallions
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Scallions, aka green onions are the earliest members of the
allium family to mature in spring. Both white and green parts are edible, either raw or cooked.
Generally you will use the white root and pale green portion just above the root in dishes where a stronger onion flavor is desired. Use the darker green parts of the stalk more as you would use an herb.
To prepare: rinse, trim root end and, and thinly slice or dice.
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- Replace diced raw onion in recipes for potato salad, coleslaw, chicken or egg salad, marinated vegetable salads, pasta salads, etc.
- Replace diced raw onion in recipes for salad dressings, fresh salsa, fresh relishes, etc.
- Add to a tossed green salad.
- Stir into scrambled eggs or omelette filling.
- Garnish a stir-fry or lo mein.
- Mix with softened butter or cream cheese, grated radishes, and chopped fresh herbs. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve on toast, bagels, or crackers.
- Stir into hummus.
- Top a pizza, foccacia, or broiled flatbread.
- Add to a taco, burrito, or enchilada, or sandwich wrap.
- Add to cornbread batter.
- Grill: Brush with olive oil and cook 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat, turning once. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with grated Parmesan, if desired.
- Use leftover grilled scallions in any of the ways listed above for a different depth of flavor.
- Like my grandparents used to: dip the bulb end in salt and take a bite...
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Quick Stir-fried Pac Choi & Chicken
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Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Total time: 15-20 min.
Ingredients:
Sauce:
2 T. honey
1/2 t. freshly grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
2 T. soy sauce/tamari
1 T. rice wine vinegar
Stir-Fry:
1 t. sesame oil
1 LB boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" chunks
1 head pac choi washed and cut into 1" strips
2 large carrots peeled in strips or 1/2 c. matchstick carrots
5-6 scallions, diced
1 T. sesame seeds
1/4 c. chopped cilantro (optional)
Method:
Stir together all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
Heat sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add in chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add in pac choi, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds. Stir continuously for 3 minutes and then add in sauce. Cook until sauce has coated the chicken and vegetables and heated through.
Serve with a sprinkle of cilantro if desired.
Serves: 4
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Ingredients:
2 small kohlrabi, or one large
5-6 radishes
1 T. white wine vinegar
1 t. sugar
2 T. fresh parsley, chopped
2 T. olive oil
salt, freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Peel kohlrabi and trim radishes. Shred vegetables in a food processor or on a hand grater.
Mix vinegar, sugar, and parsley in a large bowl. Whisk in olive oil.
Add shredded veggies and toss. Salt and pepper to taste.
Chill for 30 minutes or more before serving.
Serves: 4
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Turtle Creek Gardens, LLC | 262-441-0520 |
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