Summer Share Four June 13th/15th 2023

Posted by on Jun 12, 2023 in Uncategorized

Important information

  • This is an even numbered distribution and also a weekly one.
  • Please bring all empty CSA boxes to distribution.

Farm news from Jane
Well if you have been enjoying the fresh greens, you’ll love this share! We are beginning to harvest more from the fields but still have potatoes and more carrots to add to the share. Next week there will be freshly pulled beets, hopefully with greens attached. The asparagus is on hiatus this week and hopefully the rain will bring on increased yields. At the time of this writing, it is finally raining and we even have puddles! Ben will finally get a reprieve from moving irrigation equipment around the vegetable and cover crops blocks daily. The sweet potato plants arrived last week and were promptly planted and watered. They were beautiful and we increased the number of plants this year. We continue to learn how to harvest and store them so that we could have more to share. We’ll see how this year goes…
We began transplanting winter squash into the field last week. The first that was ready for the field and the first that will be harvested is Spaghetti squash. We also have Butternut, Autumn Frost, Acorn, Carnival and Delicata, both “kissin cousin” of the acorn and a new small variety of the Buttercup family, Bonbon. It is always interesting and fun to trial new varieties. Sometimes, they are winners like the Autumn Frost and other times like the mini butternut varieties they just don’t work for our farm, whether its growth habit or storage issues. There are so many variables involved. But because we are so diversified, we are usually able to roll with the “punches” of the successes and failures each season.
We were able to harvest the garlic scapes this morning with just a gentle light rain. It’s a fun job as long as you have a strong back for the repetitive bending. We pull or snap out the growth stalk called the “scape” to prevent the plant from producing seed. This allows all the plant’s energy to produce a larger bulb. And the byproduct is another form of garlic to enjoy! The onions were weeded last week and now that the soil is moist, we’ll move on to weeding summer carrots. The soil has been hard and dry making it too difficult to remove the weeds without pulling out the carrots. So, if we are able to get them weeded soon, we won’t be without carrots for long! We still have a few more in storage.
It is hard to believe that it is already mid-June this week and there’s only another week of school after this one. The schedule will relax for most I hope; less deadlines, functions and activities. It’s nice to see and enjoy the kids’ games and performances but can be a bit overwhelming if you have multiple kids involved. But the years go by quickly and when you look back, they are some of the fondest memories.
Flag Day is on Wednesday so if you have a flag that hasn’t seen the sun in a while it would be a good time to display it and celebrate our country and all we have to be thankful for. Enjoy all the varieties of greens, Jane

Produce:   Garlic scapes   Bunching onions (Scallions)  Keuka Gold potatoes
Napa cabbage   Romaine lettuce   Salad greens   Dino Kale

Produce tips:
Dino Kale is actually Dinosaur kale which is a nickname for Lacinato or Tuscany kale. The nickname comes from the pebbled textured surface. Its ribs are small and the leaves are more tender than other varieties so it can be used raw or “massaged” (see recipes section).
– The scallions or bunching onions have taken the place of the green garlic, but no worries the garlic scapes have replaced the green garlic. Use them as you would a clove of garlic. It may look different but the flavor is the same; refer to recipes to get ideas.
– The Romaine lettuce Is “dunked” in a tub of water to remove any exterior field dirt but the leaves will still need to be rinsed as you break them off.
– Napa cabbage is also called Chinese cabbage and because it is a very tender and mild cabbage variety it can be used like lettuce or used in a stir fry or soup. Also makes great “wraps”.
– Keuka Gold potatoes are similar to Yukon Golds and are great for frying, roasting or even mashing.

Recipes
MASSAGED KALE SALAD
2 bunches kale, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 large cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 minced anchovy fillet or 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional), 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt
Strip leaves from the stems (discard stems). Wash and dry the leaves. Tear the leaves into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add Parmesan, oil, lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, anchovy (if using), pepper and salt. With clean hands, firmly massage and crush the greens to work in the flavoring. Stop when the volume of greens is reduced by about half. The greens should look a little darker and somewhat shiny. Taste and adjust seasoning with more Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce and/or pepper, if desired.

LEMONY KALE SALAD
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 4 cups torn kale leaves, 2 cups torn Swiss chard leaves, 4 teaspoons unsalted pumpkin seed kernels, 1/4 cup sliced green onions (about 2), 1-ounce shaved pecorino Romano
Combine first 5 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add kale and chard; toss. Let stand 10 minutes.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add kernels; cook 5 minutes or until brown, stirring frequently. Add kernels, onions, and cheese to greens; toss.
Variation 1 – Spicy Soy: Combine 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon chili garlic sauce in a bowl. Add 4 cups torn kale, 2 cups torn Savoy cabbage leaves, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1 cup sliced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup sliced radish, and /4 cup chopped cilantro; toss. Let stand 8 minutes. Serves 6 (serving size: 1 cup)
Variation 2 – Greek-Style: Combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add 4 cups torn kale and 2 cups torn Swiss chard; toss. Let stand 10 minutes. Add 1 cup chopped English cucumber, 1-ounce crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, and 10 ­kalamata olives, pitted and quartered. Toss. Serves 6 (serving size: 1 cup) Recipe from Myrecipe.com

SIMPLE KALE & POTATO SOUP
1 medium (8 ounce) yellow or russet potato, scrubbed clean and chopped, 1 garlic clove, minced, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 cups vegetable stock, chicken stock, or water, 1/2 bunch kale (6 to 8 big leaves), preferably dino, lacinato, or Tuscan, 1 teaspoon lemon juice or cider vinegar, 1 to 2 large eggs, depending on your appetite, Salt and pepper, Grated Parmesan cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, or yogurt, to serve
Combine the chopped potato, garlic, salt, and stock (or water) in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. While the potatoes start to cook, chop the kale. Remove any thick, tough stems and chop them into small pieces. Add the chopped stems to the pot with the potatoes and simmer for 2 minutes.
Stack the leaves of kale on top of each other. Slice them crosswise into thin ribbons, and add them to the pot with the potatoes and kale stems. If necessary, add more stock or water to the pot to just about cover the kale.
Cover the pot and let the soup cook for 8 to 10 minutes. The soup is ready when the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, and when a ribbon of kale has become tender, but has not yet become stringy or pulpy. Stir in the lemon juice or vinegar. Taste and season with more salt and fresh cracked pepper. Also add more stock or water if a more brothy soup is desired. To finish, crack the eggs into measuring cups, and then gently slide them into the soup. Ladle some of the soup broth on top of the eggs to submerge them. Put the lid back on the pot and cook for 4 minutes. When done, the whites of the eggs should be opaque, but the yolk should still be soft. If the eggs break into the soup before they are poached, just use a fork to swirl them into the soup, like egg drop soup.
Carefully spoon the eggs into a soup bowl. Ladle the soup on top. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a spoonful of yogurt.
Recipe Notes: If you have extra time, enrich your soup by sautéing some chopped onions, celery, or carrots before adding the potato and broth, or by adding cooked bacon or sausage. You can also flavor your soup with a few sprigs of fresh oregano or thyme. Serving More Than One: This soup can, of course, be multiplied to serve several people. If poaching more than three eggs, I recommend poaching them in a separate pot before adding them to individual bowls. Serves 1 generously or 2 modestly; Recipe from the kitchen.com

BERRY KALICIOUS
1c frozen blueberries, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 1/2c frozen raspberries, 7 pitted dates, 1+1/2 C kale, or baby kale (stripped from stalks, chopped and rinsed)
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend from low to high speed until smooth. Add an additional ¼ C of water if too thick. Recipe from Kale, Glorious Kale by Catherine Walthers

KALE & CHEESE QUESADILLAS
½ bunch kale, stripped from stalk, chopped into bite sized pieces and rinsed (about 4 cups), 2 c shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack or a combination), 1/4 C chopped green chiles (optional), 1t ground cumin, 1/T chili powder, 1 (8-10 count) package flour tortillas, 4 t canola or olive oil
Bring 3 to 4 C of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add kale and cook on high heat, covered for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander; shake several times to help cool. When cool, squeeze out any excess water, and then break any clumps apart. In a large bowl, combine the cheese, green chiles, cumin, and chili powder with the kale. Heat an 11-12-inch skillet on medium heat and pour about 1 t of oil to coat pan. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Put a generous 1/2C of the cheese mixture in the idle of the tortilla. Place another tortilla on top. When the tortilla is lightly browned, flip over. The quesadilla is done when the cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes. Repeat for the other quesadillas. Cut into wedges and serve – a pizza cutter works great to cut quesadillas. Recipe from Kale, Glorious Kale by Catherine Walthers

RAMEN KALE CRUNCHY SLAW

4 C kale (about ½ bunch), stripped from stalk, rinsed, cut into ¼ in. ribbons, rinsed and dried, 2t olive oil, 2 pinches of kosher salt, 4 C thinly shredded cabbage (a mix of red and green cabbages looks great), 2 carrots, peeled and shredded, 1 (2-3oz.) packet of ramen noodles, 3T sesame seeds, toasted, ¼ C almond slices, toasted
Dressing: 3 T seasoned rice vinegar, 2 T sugar, ½ t kosher salt, 1-2 t tamari or soy sauce, ¼ t freshly ground black pepper, ¼ C olive oil, 2 T dark sesame oil, toasted
Place kale in a large serving bowl or dish and add the olive oil and salt. Massage the kale with your hands to soften and tenderize, about 2 minutes. Add the cabbage and carrots. Crush the ramen noodles in the package and toss with the salad.
Make the dressing: In a bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, tamari, pepper, olive oil and sesame oil and mix well. Add the dressing to the salad 30-60 minutes before serving. Toss the dressing evenly to coat and mix in half of the seeds and nuts. Top with the remaining nuts when ready to serve. Variation: Add shredded chicken.
Recipe from Kale, Glorious Kale by Catherine Walthers

LAZY GOLUMPKI (GOŁĄBKI), STUFFED CABBAGE CASSEROLE
Medium size head of cabbage, 2 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef 90/10, 1/2 lbs. cooked bacon coarsely chopped, 1 med white onion, 1/2 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs, 1/2 -3/4 cup white rice; cooked, 1-2 eggs, 1 family sized and 1 10 oz can of tomato soup, salt and pepper to taste, Preheat oven 375 degrees. Coarsely shred the cabbage in thick long pieces and set aside. Cook bacon in the oven, allow to cool, coarsely chop and set aside. Dice onion and set aside. Cook rice and allow to cool and set aside. For convenience, I used a boil in the bag type of rice. In a large bowl, add meat, bread crumbs, onion, bacon, rice, egg and salt and pepper. Start by only using one egg. If the mixture seems too dry, then add the second egg. In a 9X9 pan, place a layer of the shredded cabbage so that the bottom of the pan is completely covered. Add the meat mixture on top of the cabbage and press into the shape of the pan. Add another layer of cabbage to cover the meat mixture. Pour the family sized can of tomato soup over the top of the cabbage to cover completely. Reserve the smaller can to add additional soup while baking in the oven. Add salt and pepper over the top. Cover with aluminum foil. Place pan on top of a cookie sheet and put in a 375 preheated oven. Cook for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours. Recipe from plattertalk.com

RAMEN NOODLE SALAD
2 bunches of Romaine, chopped or finely shredded or Napa cabbage, 1 bunch green onions, 4 T butter, ½ C. sliced almonds, 2-3 T sesame seeds
Crush noodles, brown in 4 T butter. After browned lightly add almonds and sesame seeds and continue to brown lightly for about 2 more minutes. Set aside.
Dressing: ¾ C oil, ¼ cup vinegar, ½ C sugar, 2 T soy sauce
Warm oil and sugar stirring until sugar is dissolved; add soy sauce and whisk well to combine. Toss greens with dressing and reserved noodles, nuts and seeds just before serving.

NAPA CABBAGE SALAD
5 cups chopped Napa cabbage; 3/4 c. sliced or shredded radishes, 11/2 cups chow Mein noodles (the crunchy ones); 1 cup crushed peanuts; 1/4 cup sesame seeds (black, if available); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 4 tablespoons sesame oil; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/2-1 teaspoon dry mustard
Combine cabbage, radishes, chow Mein noodles, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Mix remaining ingredients. Toss with cabbage, using just enough dressing to suit your taste. Makes 6-8 servings.
Recipe from Dog Hollow Farm

PORK AND CHINESE CABBAGE EGG ROLLS
3 1/2 ounces (about 100 grams) bean thread noodles; 1/2-pound lean ground pork; 1 cup finely chopped onions; 2 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage; 1 egg, beaten; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; salt and pepper to taste; 1-pound egg roll wrappers; 2 egg whites, beaten; 3-4 cups vegetable oil; Hmong Hot Dipping Sauce
Soak noodles in hot water 15 minutes. Drain well; chop. Mix with pork, onions, cabbage, egg, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Place egg roll wrapper on work surface with one corner pointing toward you. Place 2 heaping tablespoons filling near bottom comer, shaping mixture to look like a cigar. Roll wrapper (lower end) over meat to middle of wrapper. Brush edges with egg white and roll up completely. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Deep-fry egg rolls in small batches until light brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with Hmong Hot Dipping Sauce. Makes 20-25 egg rolls. Recipe from MACSAC

GARLIC SCAPE PESTO
8 oz. scapes cut in 1 in. pieces and processed with 1 cup Olive oil, 2 cups Parmesan cheese and ½ cup lemon juice.

GARLIC BUTTER
1/2 cup butter; 2 garlic scapes, minced; 1 Tablespoon parsley; 1/2 teaspoon oregano
Soften butter to room temperature. Combine other ingredients, mixing well. Use with meats, breads, and vegetables. Yields 1/2 cup

ZIPPY GARLIC DRESSING
2/3 c. salad oil; 1/4 c. wine vinegar; 1 tsp. sugar; 3/4 tsp. salt; 3/4 tsp. dry mustard; Dash freshly ground pepper; 1 garlic scape, minced
In a screw-top jar, combine all ingredients; shake well. Chill thoroughly before serving. Makes about 1 cup

WARM BAVARIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD WITH SAUSAGE
2 # Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed; 2 T apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar; 1 T prepared hot mustard; 3/4 C chopped onion; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 C apple cider or chicken stock; 3/4 # pork sausage links; 3 T olive oil; 3 T coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Cook potatoes in salted water until barely tender. Drain, cool slightly, peel, and slice 1/3-inch thick. Meanwhile, make sauce: Combine remaining ingredients (except parsley) in saucepan, bring to simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes. Gently toss with potatoes. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange sausages on baking sheet; bake 8-10 minutes. Cut each link into 4 pieces. Add sausages and parsley to potatoes; mix gently. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 6 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

SMASHED YUKON GOLD POTATOES WITH BLUE CHEESE AND TOASTED NUTS
2 pounds young Yukon Gold potatoes (unpeeled); 4 tablespoons butter, softened; 1/2 cup milk or cream; salt and pepper; 1/2 # blue cheese, crumbled; 1/4 # (about 1 cup) nuts
Cook potatoes and place in large bowl. Add butter, milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper (or to taste). Smash with fork, leaving some large pieces. Lightly toss in blue cheese. Sprinkle with nuts. Makes 6 servings.

FRENCH FRIES
Potatoes; oil; salt
Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer or pot on the stove. Cut potatoes into desired shape (we usually use wedges). Place in oil and fry until golden and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Salt and enjoy!

OVEN FRIED POTATOES
8 potatoes; 1 stick butter; 1/2 lb. chopped bacon (fried); Parmesan cheese; 1/2 lb. Longhorn Cheddar (grated); garlic; salt Cut potatoes into 8 sections. Melt 1/2 stick margarine on 2 cookie sheets in oven. Coat potatoes (with skins) with margarine. Sprinkle with garlic salt, Parmesan cheese and bacon. Bake at 4250 for 25 minutes. Pour off extra grease. Sprinkle Cheddar over potatoes and place in oven until melted. Serve with Ranch dressing. Recipe from Terri Noble

POTATO AND PESTO SOUP
3 strips bacon; 1 lb. potatoes; 1 lb. onions; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp butter; 2 ½ cups chicken bouillon; 2 1/2 cups milk; 3/4 cup shell noodles; 2/3 cup heavy cream; 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; salt and pepper; freshly grated Parmesan cheese; fresh garlic bread
PESTO SAUCE: 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2/3 cup pine nuts, crushed; 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil; 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; white pepper; 2/3 cup olive oil
To make the pesto sauce, put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and process for 2 minutes, or blend by hand using a pestle and mortar.
Chop the bacon, potatoes, and onions. Heat the oil in a pan, add the bacon, and cook over medium heat for 4 minutes. Add the butter, potatoes, and onions and cook for 12 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the bouillon and milk to the pan bring to a boil, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the noodles and simmer for another 10-12 minutes. Stir in the cream and then simmer for 5 minutes. Add the parsley, salt and pepper, and 2 tablespoons of pesto sauce. Transfer the soup to serving bowls and serve with Parmesan cheese and garlic bread. Serves 4

STEAM GRILLED GREEN ONIONS
12 green onions, rinsed, ends trimmed, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 tablespoons butter, cut, 2 T butter, cut into small pieces, salt and ground black pepper to taste (optional)
Preheat a grill for medium-low heat. Cut a sheet of aluminum foil to about 12×15 inches. Arrange the green onions side by side in the center of the foil sheet. Sprinkle the onions evenly with the garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange butter over the onions. Keeping the green onions flat, fold the foil to make a sealed cooking pouch. Place the foil packet on the preheated grill away from the main heat source. Allow the green onions to steam 5 to 7 minutes. Recipe from Allrecipes.com

CHICKEN WITH GREEN ONION SAUCE
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, cooking spray, 4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, 1/3 cup finely chopped green onions, divided, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Combine 1/4 cup broth and flour in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add remaining broth, garlic, and thyme; set aside. Place a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn chicken; add 2 tablespoons green onions. Pour broth mixture over chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is done, basting often. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm. Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Scrape bottom and sides of pan, using a rubber spatula. Cook 2 minutes or until sauce is reduced to 3/4 cup. Pour sauce evenly over chicken, and top with remaining green onions.
Recipe from myrecipes.com