Summer Share Nineteen September 22 2015
Important Information:
- Our summer share contact list was corrupted approximately three weeks ago. We have made two smaller contact lists which we hope has solved the problem.
- If you haven’t received winter share information or need a membership form please contact us; remember the deadline for enrollment for current members is Oct 1st after that time we will open for new members!
Farm News from Jane
Although the first day of autumn does not officially arrive until Wednesday, our share certainly has autumn appeal. The first of the collards were harvested for shares today as well as the delicata squash. Collard greens are not as strong in flavor as the kales and so they benefit by an addition of something with a bold flavor as bacon, onions and garlic to flavor them. But their nutrition sure packs a punch! They are high in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as calcium, iron and fiber and have been linked to lowered cholesterol. They will also become sweeter after a light frost as well as the kales so get ready for greens with great flavor. You may want to use the Keuka Gold potatoes that are in the share for the last of summer potato salad. They are a firm, slightly waxy potato that holds up well in a salad or great for French fries or home fries. Also a great side dish for your collards. I have to admit I haven’t as yet taken the time to make a traditional potato salad although I usually have the sauce for Hot German potato salad on hand for a quick, leftover potato dish.
The peppers although smaller as the season progresses are still abundant. I have really enjoyed fried peppers since we’ve been growing the cubanelle variety.
Now that autumn is upon us it seems as though we are really losing daylight quickly. There are less hours of daylight to work in but yet still so much left to do…And with the beginning of autumn we have Gala apples to share. They are sweet and delicious but do not stay firm long if left unrefrigerated. We will have at least one variety of apples each week for the rest of the summer shares season which is six more weeks. That’s right the CSA summer season is winding down quickly.
We always think of week thirteen as “over the hump” week at mid season but then all of a sudden we are quickly faced with trying to get all the different varieties of vegetables in the remaining shares for members to enjoy. Of course for those of you who have winter shares the fun continues… But for now let’s bask in the warmth of the summer sun.
Enjoy the week and eat well, Jane
Produce: Keuka Gold potatoes Leeks Delicata squash Collard greens
Cubanelle peppers baby Bok Choy Eggplant
Fruit: Plums Concord grapes Gala Apples
Produce tips:
– Bok choy flowers are edible similar to broccoli rabe.
– Delicata squash skins are also edible; no need to peel. First cut in half or rounds and remove seeds before roasting or baking.
– Collard greens are hearty greens which need cooking. First remove the rib and chop separately as they will take longer to cook but will not decrease their volume by much after cooking. Cut the leaves into thin ribbons for faster cooking. You can steam them 5 minutes for a quick cook but for silky texture and great flavor the long method using a smoked ham hock or bacon is better.
Recipes
COLLARDS WITH POTATOES
2 bunches collard greens or a mixture of collards and kale; sea salt and freshly ground pepper; 3 medium yellow-fleshed potatoes, scrubbed and coarsely diced; 3 or 4 strips bacon, cut into small pieces, optional; 2 tablespoons peanut or olive oil; 1/2 onion, finely diced; 2 plump garlic cloves, finely chopped; good pinch red pepper flakes; hot pepper sauce or vinegar for the table
Strip the collard leaves from the stems and wash the greens. Bring a few quarts of water to a boil. Add salt and the greens, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Scoop them into a bowl. Add the potatoes to the cooking water and simmer until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned. Set it on paper towels to drain, discard the fat, and wipe out the pan. Return the pan to the heat, add the oil, and when it’s hot, add the onion. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Coarsely chop the cooked greens, and then add them to the pan along with the garlic and pepper flakes. Scoop some of the potato water into the pan as well so that everything cooks in a little moisture, adding more water as needed. When the potatoes are tender, scoop them out and add them to the greens. Add the bacon, and then toss everything together. Taste for salt and season with pepper. Keep everything distinct or mash the potatoes into the greens. It’s messy-looking this way but especially good. Season with pepper sauce or vinegar to taste.
WILL”S COLLARD GREENS
1 bunch collard greens, stems cut out and discarded, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ t. salt, ¼ t. pepper, 1t. sugar, 1 t. minced garlic, optional
Wash the collard leaves and stack them (5-10 leaves at a time). Roll them up tightly, and then slice thinly so you have a chiffonade of greens. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat with salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic. When the oil is hot, add collards and stir often for 15-20 minutes, until collards are tender, taking care not to burn the greens. Add more oil if necessary; Makes 4 servings.
LUNCHTIME BOK CHOY FRIED RICE
2 teaspoons peanut oil, divided; 2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided; 1/4 cup diced kohlrabi; 1 cup diced bok choy; 1 1/2 cups leftover cooked rice (chilled or at room temperature); 1/2 cup leftover cooked diced lamb, beef, pork, or poultry; 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger 3 tablespoons chopped leeks; 1 egg; bottled chili garlic paste (optional); 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
Heat a wok or cast-iron skillet over medium-high flame a few minutes. Add 1 teaspoon each of the peanut and sesame oils; swirl to coat bottom of pan. Add kohlrabi; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add bok choy; stir-fry 2 minutes. Push vegetables to outer edges of pan, add· remaining peanut oil, and swirl to coat exposed surface. Add rice, meat, and ginger; stir-fry 23 minutes. Stir in the leeks. Push the mixture to the outside edges of the pan, add the remaining sesame oil to the center of the pan, and swirl to coat exposed surface. Crack egg into the hot oil and scramble it. Cook until egg is set, then break up egg into pieces and toss it with the rest of the mixture in the· pan. Add a little chili garlic paste, if desired, and stir in the soy sauce. Continue to stir-fry another moment or two, scraping all bits from the bottom of the pan. Serve hot.
Makes 2 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
BOK CHOY SALAD
1/2 c red wine vinegar; 1/2 c olive oil; 1/2 c sugar; 1 T soy sauce; 1/4 c butter; 1/4 c slivered almonds; 1/4 c sesame seeds; 2 (3 ounce) packages ramen noodles; 1 medium head bok choy; 3 green onions
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar and soy sauce until sugar dissolves. Set aside. Melt butter in small skillet. Crush the ramen noodles while still in their packaging. Discard seasoning packet and add noodles to the butter along with almonds and sesame seeds. Sauté until golden brown. Remove from heat and drain on paper towel. Chop the bok choy and green onions. Place in large bowl. Add noodle mixture and dressing; toss and serve at once. Makes 8 servings
LEEKS AU GRATIN
1 lbs leeks; 2-1/2 T butter; 1 T flour; 6 T milk, 1/2 T white wine; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
Cut white and tender portion of green leek leaves lengthwise and then into 1- inch pieces. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain; place in a buttered casserole. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 T butter; stir in flour. Whisk in milk and wine. Stir and cook until thickened, 3-5 minutes. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper; pour over leeks. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 400 degrees 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Dot with remaining butter and brown under broiler, 3-5 minutes.
APPLE SALSA WITH GRILLED CHICKEN
2 c chopped apples; 3/4 c chopped Anaheim or green pepper; 1/2 c chopped onion; 1/4 c lime juice; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 c dry white wine; 1/4 c apple juice; 1/2 tsp grated lime peel; 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Combine apples, chili peppers, onion, lime juice, salt and pepper; mix well. Set aside about 1/2 hour for flavors to blend. Combine wine, apple juice and lime peel. Pour over chicken breasts in glass dish or sealable plastic bag. Marinate 20-30 minutes. Drain chicken; discard marinade. Grill over medium-hot coals, turning once, until chicken is done. Serve with salsa on the side. Makes 4 servings with salsa to spare
ROASTED POTATOES AND PEPPERS
2 pounds waxy potatoes; 1 pepper; 1 large onion, cut into wedges; olive oil; 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary; salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wash the potatoes and blanch for 5 minutes in boiling water. Drain. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and halve lengthwise. Cut pepper lengthwise into 8 strips, discarding the seeds and membrane. Oil a shallow ovenproof dish thoroughly with olive oil. Arrange the potatoes and peppers in alternating rows and stud with the onion. Cut the rosemary sprigs into 2-inch lengths and tuck among the vegetables. Season the dish generously with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender. Serves 4
ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH WITH ONIONS
2 pounds delicata squash (about 2 large), 1 medium red onion, sliced, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut squash in half lengthwise, then crosswise; scoop out the seeds. Cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss with onion, 1 tablespoon oil and salt in a large bowl. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast, stirring once or twice, until tender and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, rosemary, syrup and mustard in a small bowl. Toss the vegetables with the dressing. Recipe from Eating Well.com
EASY EGGPLANT CHEESE CASSEROLE
olive oil; 2 small eggplants (about 1 pound total), sliced into 1/3-inch-thick rounds; salt and pepper; 1 onion, sliced into rounds; 1 red or green pepper, cut into strips; 2 cups tomato sauce or chopped fresh tomatoes; 3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; 1 cup grated mozzarella and/or Parmesan
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in nonstick skillet; add eggplant and cook (in batches if necessary) on both sides until barely tender. Lay eggplant in a baking dish and season well with salt and pepper. Sauté onions and pepper strips until barely tender in a bit more oil. (Alternatively, you may brush vegetables with oil and grill them.) Layer onions and peppers over eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with tomato sauce (or tomatoes) and basil. Top with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees, 45 minutes. This can easily be increased to feed a crowd. Summer squash can be substituted or used with eggplant. Serve with a big salad, fresh bread, and goat cheese. Makes 4 servings.
ONE-DISH BABA GHANOUJ
2 c finely chopped Grilled Eggplant (about 4 large slices); 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro; 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp tahini paste; 2 cloves garlic, smashed to a paste with a pinch of kosher salt; 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil; ‘/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground coriander; 1/4 tsp red-pepper flakes; 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes or longer to blend flavors. Serve as a dip with pita crisps and bell peppers or pair with soft goat cheese as a spread for crostini.
WARM BAVARIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD WITH SAUSAGE
2 pounds Yukon Gold or large fingerling potatoes, scrubbed; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon prepared hot mustard; 3/4 cup chopped onion; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup apple cider or chicken stock; 3/4 pound pork sausage links; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 tablespoons 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
SUMMER GREENS AND POTATO FRY-UP
1 tablespoon butter; 1/2 teaspoon dried ground thyme; 1 teaspoon chili oil (or substitute vegetable oil with a little crushed red pepper); 3/4 cup cooked sweet corn; 3 sprigs fresh oregano, torn up (or other fresh herbs except mint); 1 baking potato, or 3-4 small red potatoes, thin-sliced; 1 leek or small onion, finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; salt and pepper; grated Parmesan (optional); 1/2 pound fresh spinach, chard or other mild-flavored greens, washed and stemmed
Heat butter and chili oil in large nonstick skillet over medium flame. Add potatoes and leeks or onions, and season well with salt and pepper. (You may also partially cook the potatoes first in salted water until nearly tender before frying them.) Let the potatoes brown lightly in the pan on one side for several minutes. Toss potatoes, season with more salt and pepper, and let them brown lightly again. When potatoes are almost tender, toss in greens and thyme, then add a little less than 1/4 cup water, cover the pan, and raise heat to high. Let steam until greens are nearly done, 1-2 minutes. Uncover, add corn, oregano, and paprika, and allow potatoes to finish cooking and browning. Season to taste and top with Parmesan, if desired. Serve with fried eggs if you like. Makes 2-4 servings. Recipe from Morn Rosenbloom