Summer Share Six June 28th/30th 2022
Important information:
- Tree fruit shares will begin next week, July 5th/7th for weekly share members and odd biweekly members next week. Even biweekly members fruit shares will begin July 12/14th. Check your distribution sheet to see if you have signed up for one. Please contact us if there is a discrepancy.
- This is an even biweekly distribution.
- Please continue to return all share boxes; Thanks!
Farm News from Jane
A welcome reprieve and good for the peas! This cooler start to the week has made for great pea picking weather. Although the peas continue to mature quickly, we hope to pick two varieties this week and perhaps next! The spoken word is so powerful and I should have known better to speak it out loud that the peas all want to mature at the solstice. We can only plant peas earlier in the calendar to get more of them. Planting later in the season results in LOTS of peas all at the same time but we can only harvest so many in each week. This week’s sugar snap peas are beautiful and are yielding better. And if you are hungry, they make great snacks while you are picking! More beets this week, Golden and they are the milder of the four varieties which we grow. We seed beets every other week but with the day length over fifteen hours they grow so quickly that we can’t wait until next week to harvest or we have softball beets. So, enjoy the mellow sweet flavor of the yellow Golden beets; it’s great grilling or roasting weather this week!
We are in the crucifer family time of seeding and transplanting this week. We have four kinds of cabbage, three varieties of cauliflower, three varieties of broccoli and I almost forgot the Brussel sprouts; there are two varieties of these. We plant these cabbage family crops in the field early to mid-July after the cabbage looper moth is less likely to damage the crop. We had a cooler day in the potting shed transplanting and so it was quite enjoyable. A helper made things go even faster.
School’s out and this week begins July so all the kids can enjoy the summer time fun! I am excited to see lots more of mine. Water-play in the pond; swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boating or an even faster ride on a motorized boat. Water means coolin’ down fun and great exercise at the same time. And if you ever wondered about the “dog days” of summer here is the low down. The sultry “dog days” of summer might spark visions of listless canines baking in the oppressive heat, but the moniker has nothing to do with panting pooches. Instead, it’s a throwback to the time when ancient civilizations tracked the seasons by looking to the sky. The ancient Greeks noticed that summer’s most intense heat occurred during the approximate 40-day period in the early summer when Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rose and set with the sun. To them it was simple math. The daytime addition of the warmth of Sirius—ancient Greek for “glowing” or “scorcher”—to the blaze of the sun equaled extreme heat. According to Greek mythology, Sirius was the dog of the hunter Orion, and the ancient Romans placed the star in the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “Greater Dog”).The Romans thus referred to the sweltering period when the rising of the sun and Sirius converged as the “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog star.” By the 1500s, the English world began to call the same summertime point on the astronomical calendar as the “dog days.” We are not quite there yet – so enjoy the cool summer mornings and evenings this week before someone “lets the dogs out”.
Have a Happy and safe Fourth of July! Blessings, Jane
Produce: Golden Beets Snow peas Sugar snap peas Swiss chard
Salad greens Romaine lettuce Garlic scapes Scallions
Produce tips:
– Golden beets should be refrigerated.
– Sugar snap peas and Snow peas both have edible pods. Enjoy them raw with a dip of your choice for a quick and easy picnic appetizer. Either variety of peas can be interchanged in recipes.
– Swiss chard should be bagged before refrigerating.
Recipes
ORANGE BORSCHT
4 medium-size beets peeled and coarsely grated; 5 cups beef stock; salt; freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 cups tomato juice; 2 1/2 cups orange juice; yogurt; chopped chives
Bring grated beets to a boil in beef stock which has been seasoned to taste with salt and pepper. Turn down heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Add tomato juice. Puree mixture in electric blender, then add orange juice, mixing well to combine. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and chopped chives. Yield: approximately 10 cups
YELLOW BEETS AND SUGAR SNAP OR SNOW PEA SALAD
1/2-pound crisp peas with the ends snipped; 3 medium-size yellow beets, diced; 1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 5 ounces plain low-fat yogurt; 1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste); 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, crushed; Salt and freshly ground pepper
In a saucepan, cook the green beans in rapidly boiling water for 7 minutes or until they are tender but crisp. In a separate saucepan, cook the beets until they are tender. (You may cook both in the microwave according to your oven’s instructions if you prefer.) Cool rapidly under cold running water and peel the beets. Combine the beans with the beets, the tarragon, and half the parsley in a medium-size serving bowl. Mix well but gently. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Stir the yogurt mixture into the green bean mixture and garnish with the remaining parsley. Serve immediately. 4 SERVINGS Recipe from Herbal Soups, Salads, Breads and Sweets
WARM GOLDEN BEET SALAD WITH GREENS AND ALMONDS 1 bunch beets, both tops and roots, olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled, 2/3 cup toasted almond slivers.
Heat the oven to 425°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan or cake tin with a big square of foil, large enough to complete enclose the beet roots. Lightly rinse the beet roots to remove any really clumpy dirt and pat them dry. Place them in the foil square and lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Fold up the foil and crease to seal. Bake the beets for 60 minutes or until they can be just pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, chop the beet greens into bite-size ribbons. Discard the stalks between the roots and where the leaves start, but chop the leaf ribs along with the leaves. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt and grit. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook on low for about 5 minutes or until the garlic is golden and fragrant. Add the chopped leaves and stir to coat with the garlic. Cook on medium-low for about 10 minutes or until the leaves are soft and tender. Remove from the heat. When the beets are cool, rub them with a paper towel to remove the skin. Then chop into bite sized pieces and toss with the cooked greens, goat cheese, and almonds. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or cold. (This also makes an excellent pressed sandwich filling, especially with some extra goat cheese.)
GOLDEN BEET AND SUNFLOWER SEED SALAD
2 1/2 lb. medium golden beets, 1/2 cup raw (not roasted) sunflower seeds (2 1/4 oz), 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot, 2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 6 oz sunflower sprouts or baby mesclun (6 cups)
Put oven racks in lower third and middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F. Trim beet greens, leaving 1 inch of stems attached. Tightly wrap beets together in double layers of foil to make packages (2 or 3 per package) and roast in middle of oven until tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Unwrap beets and cool slightly. While beets roast, toast sunflower seeds in a pie plate or a small baking pan in lower third of oven, shaking occasionally, until seeds are golden, about 10 minutes. Whisk together shallot, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a small bowl, then add oil in a stream, whisking. When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off and discard skins. Cut beets lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and gently toss with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette in a bowl. Toss sunflower sprouts and half of sunflower seeds with remaining vinaigrette in another bowl. Arrange beets on 6 salad plates and top with dressed sprouts. Sprinkle salads with remaining sunflower seeds. Cooks’ note: Beets can be roasted, sliced, and dressed 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Recipe from Epicurious.com
GOLDEN BEET SLAW
1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 1/2 pounds golden beets, peeled and cut into matchsticks, 3 scallions, sliced, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Peel beets with peeler and then cut into matchsticks. Whisk together oil, vinegar, zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Toss with beets, scallions, and cilantro. Serves 6; recipe from Martha Stewart Living
SWISS CHARD & ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH FETA AND PISTACHIOS
2 medium beets, trimmed, 4 C chopped beet greens or Swiss chard, 8 Pixie tangerines or Clementines, 1 T sherry vinegar, ¼ t kosher salt, divided, ground pepper to taste, 6 t extra virgin olive oil divided, ¼ C crumbled feta cheese, ¼ C coarsely chopped toasted unsalted pistachios
Preheat oven to 3750. Scrub beets well, wrap in foil while still wet and place in a small baking pan. Bake until the tip of a knife slips into a beet easily, 1 to 1+1/4 hours. Let cool, still wrapped, for 15 minutes. Unwrap and let cool for 10 minutes more. Use a paper towel to rub the skins off. Trim off the ends. Slice the beets into wedges or slices. Rinse and drain the beet greens (or chard), leaving a little water still clinging to them; set aside. Grate ½ t zest from 1 tangerine (or clementine), Slice the ends off all the fruit, then slice off the peel and white pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut the fruit into segments or slices and set aside. Combine the zest with vinegar, mustard, ¼ t salt and a generous grind of pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in 4 t oil. Add the sliced beets and toss to coat; let stand for 15 minutes. Heat the remaining 2 t oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the greens and remaining ¼ t salt; cook, gently stirring, until just wilted, 2-3 minutes. Divide the greens among 4 salad plates. Top with the beets, fruit, feta and pistachios. Drizzle with any remaining dressing. Serves 4; Recipe from Eating Well magazine
SWISS CHARD WITH PEACHES AND SLICED ALMONDS
1 bunch of rainbow Swiss chard, thinly sliced, 1 ripe peach, pitted and cut into wedges, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice (the juice of one whole lemon), 2 tsp honey, salt & pepper Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine olive oil, lemon juice honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle mixture over peach salad; toss well to coat. Serves 2
Recipe from Peppermint and Paisley
CHARD CHEESE BAKE
1# Swiss chard or spinach; cook and drain thoroughly, 4 eggs, beaten, 1 C milk, 1 C Swiss cheese, shredded, 1 C bread, cubed, 1/2C sliced green onions, 1/4C Parmesan cheese, grated
Combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Cover and bake in preheated oven at 3750 until set. 25-30 minutes. Recipe from Farming magazine
GARLIC SCAPE AND SWISS CHARD PESTO
1 bunch garlic scapes,1 bunch Swiss chard, leaves only,1/4 C raw walnuts (optional),1/2 – 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional), Juice from half a lemon, 1/2 C extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste
Blanch the Swiss chard leaves in boiling water for about 30 seconds, just to remove chalky taste. Rinse under cold water and squeeze out the water.
Put blanched Swiss chard, garlic scapes, walnuts, crushed red pepper and lemon juice into the bowl of your food processor and process until still slightly chunky. Gradually pour olive oil in to feeder tube and continue processing until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Serve tossed with your favorite gluten-free pasta, add a little of the cooking liquid from the pasta to loosen up the sauce, if you wish.
SWISS CHARD QUICHE
1 lb. Swiss chard or spinach, cook and drain thoroughly; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 cup milk; 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded; 1 cup bread cubed; 1/2 cup sliced green onions; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Combine all ingredients with cooked greens. Pour into 2-quart baking dish. Cover and bake in 375degree oven until set, 25-30 min.
MICAH’S YUMMY CHARD PIE
1 Tbsp olive oil; 3/4 cup chopped onions; a few chopped garlic scapes; 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed and leaves chopped; 3-4 eggs; 1 cup milk or half and half; 1/2 tsp salt; 8 -inch pie shell; 1 cup grated cheddar or Swiss cheese; chopped ham; cooked bacon; diced tomatoes, chopped basil, blanched peas, or green beans (optional); 1 tsp dill
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in large skillet over medium flame. Add the onion and scapes; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add chopped greens and cook, stirring often, until they wilt. Turn off heat. Beat eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl. Spread chard mixture in bottom of pie shell. Add cheese. Pour egg mixture over top. Add optional ingredients, if desired. Sprinkle with dill. Bake at 400 degrees until the pie are no longer jiggly in the center, 30 -40 minutes. Makes 8 slices
CHINESE-STYLE SNOW PEAS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 2 cups fresh snow peas, stemmed and stringed; 1 5-ounce can water chestnuts, sliced and drained; 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced; 1 cup thinly sliced fresh mushrooms; 1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon; 1/3 cup boiling water; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 T soy sauce; 1 T dry sherry; fresh ground pepper to taste
In a wok or skillet, heat oil over high heat. Reduce heat and add garlic; stir-fry 1 minute. Add ginger, peas, water chestnuts, and celery. Stir-fry 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, instant chicken bouillon, and boiling water; stir to mix; cover, and simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Combine cornstarch, soy sauce, sherry, and pepper. Stir into vegetables and stir-fry, uncovered, over high heat until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Serve immediately_ Serves 6 to 8
LAYERED SALAD
Layered salad is pretty self-explanatory; the idea of layering whatever veggies over greens and topping with cheese or even julienne strips of meat garnish with olives or hardboiled eggs. So be creative and if you’re also entertaining start with a glass bowl. Start with your greens then layer with shelled raw peas, zucchini, and celery if it’s on hand, and green onions. Add a layer of Swiss cheese or meat julienned or finely chopped. Sprinkle with 2 tsp of sugar. Mix together 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sour cream and 1 T. of horseradish if desired until well blended. Spread evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of Romano cheese. Cover and chill overnight. Serve with the following Vinaigrette dressing if desired. 1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil 3 T. wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp. salt. Pepper to taste (freshly ground is always a nice touch), and 1/2 tsp. of dry mustard. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend well. Serve over layered salad. Garnish with black olives and sieved hard-boiled eggs. You may always substitute yogurt for some of the mayo or sour cream if you’re watching your fat intake.
SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH MUSHROOMS
2 tablespoon oil; 1/2 mushrooms, sliced; 1-pound fresh sugar snap peas, cut into half crosswise; 2 Teaspoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seed
Heat oil in wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and stir fry until lightly browned. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Increase heat, add peas and stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in soy sauce. Cover and cook 1 minute longer. Sprinkle with sesame seed and serve. 4 servings
SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND RED GRAPES
3/4 lb. sugar snap peas, strings and stems removed; 1 tbsp. unsalted butter; 1 shallot, finely chopped; 1/4 tsp. salt; freshly ground black pepper; l-2 cup seedless red grapes, halved lengthwise; 1 tbsp. dry white wine
Blanch the peas in boiling water for two minutes. Drain the peas, and then refresh them under cold running water until cool. Drain them again and set them aside. Heat the butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Cook the shallot until soft – about two minutes. Add the peas, salt and pepper, and cook until the peas are heated through – two to three minutes. Add the grapes and wine, and cook until the wine has evaporated – about one minute. Serve immediately. *Snow peas work equally well in this recipe. Blanch them for 30 seconds only. Serves 4
SESAME SNOW PEAS WITH RED PEPPER
1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seed; 1 teaspoon vegetable oil; 2 cups fresh snow peas, strings removed; 1 large red bell pepper, seeded, and cut into very thin julienne
Combine 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and enough water to cover peas and pepper in heavy saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Add peas and red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain immediately. Transfer to bowl. Add sesame oil and toss gently. Sprinkle with sesame and serve. 4 servings
STIR-FRIED SNOW PEAS WITH SWISS CHARD
1 pound snow peas; 1/2-pound Swiss chard; 3 tbsp oil; 2 bunching onions, chopped; sea salt
Trim and string the snow peas. Wash the Swiss chard in a bowl of cold water, then remove and shake off the excess water. Heat a large skillet or a wok. Add the oil, swirl it around, then add the onions and snow peas. Stir-fry the peas for 1 minute, then add the chard and a pinch of salt and stir-fry until the leaves are tender and bright green. Serve right away.
PASTA WITH PEAS, FRESH BASIL, AND BREAD CRUMBS
sea salt and freshly ground pepper; 1/2-pound small pasta shapes; 4 tbsp butter; 1/4 cup finely diced scallion; 1 pound sugar snap peas; 3 tbsp chopped basil; 1 tsp grated lemon zest; 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs; ½ cup chopped parsley or more basil
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt and the pasta. While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet, add the scallion, and cook gently for a few minutes, until softened. Add the peas, basil, and 1 cup of the pasta water and stew until the peas are bright green and tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Add the lemon zest. Crisp the bread crumbs in the remaining butter or oil in a small skillet. When the pasta is done, drain it, add it directly to the peas, and toss. Taste for salt, season with pepper, and toss with the parsley and bread crumbs.
CHILLED SUGAR SNAP PEA SOUP WITH FRESH MINT
1 large Vidalia onion, minced; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock; 1 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves, plus small sprigs for garnish; salt and cracked pepper to taste; Crème fraiche, clotted cream, or sour cream for serving; Minced radishes for garnish
In a heavy stockpot over medium heat, sauté the onion in the butter and oil until translucent. Add the stock and bring to a rolling boil. Drop in the sugar snap peas and let boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Puree the soup and stir in the cream, mint, and salt and pepper. Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, and then chill in the refrigerator. Serve with a dollop of crème fraiche in the center of the bowl. Garnish with minced radish and mint sprigs. Recipe from The Café Pongo Cookbook
SESAME GARLIC SNAP PEA SALAD
1 lb. fresh sugar snap peas, 6 T toasted sesame oil, 2 tsp. seasoned rice vinegar, 1 tsp. Aleppo chili flakes, 1 clove of garlic, mashed, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. sesame seeds
Put the snap peas in a medium bowl or a gallon size zip-top bag. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili flakes, garlic, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if you’d like it a little saltier, etc. Pour dressing over the snap peas and toss to coat well. Sprinkle on sesame seeds and toss again to distribute them. Keeps well in the fridge for a day. Serves about 4 as a side salad. Recipe from The Hungry Mouse website
BARLEY SALAD WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS & GREEN ROMESCO DRESSING
2 cups water, 1 cup quick-cooking barley, 8 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed and sliced into matchsticks, ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add barley and cook, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes, or according to package directions. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Rinse the barley under cool water and transfer to a large bowl. Add snap peas, parsley, onion, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and toss to combine. Recipe from Eatingwell.com