2021 CSA Season Week Twenty-Three
We’ve reached the 23rd week of the 2021 CSA Season, and the 4th week of the Extended Season. Can you believe we’re in the middle of November already? Fall is thoroughly underway and the rain has arrived, giving the farm the drink it’s been waiting for. We hope you’re finding ways to keep dry and enjoying our delicious Winter Green veggies on your table.
Special Announcement:
There’s just one more week left of this year’s season and we’re working hard to fill your baskets with as much of our fall crop as we can. If you’re on the Half-Share program, you will not pick up this week, but you will next week. Please remember to check your name off the list so we know you got your share, and bring back any boxes you may have at home. We’ll come around and pick them up from the delivery sites to make sure they get back to the farm.
Keep an eye on the weekly newsletters after the season ends for information on the 2022 season! We’re working on setting up a new system for next year, so once we get all the kinks worked out, we’ll open signups. We’d love to see all of you join us for next year!
Don’t forget to check out our markets!
Not getting everything you hoped for in your share? Check out our farmer’s markets to fill your cupboards with as many delicious veggies as you can! If you’re in Eugene, you can find us at the Lane County Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Or, if you’re in the Portland area, come see us at the Hollywood Market on Saturdays and the King Market on Sundays. We’d love to see you!
What’s Going on at the Farm?
Vegetables aren’t the only thing we grow here at Winter Green Farm! We have cows and sheep as well. Right now, we’ve rotated the sheep and they now reside in the fields near the barn, giving us a glimpse of the elusive Canyon. Canyon is a Great Pyrenees, and he takes his job protecting the sheep seriously. Indeed, he hardly lets anyone get near him while he’s out there, hence all the dirt and mats hanging off him. Canyon doesn’t have time to be brushed. He’d much rather be out running with the sheep, keeping them safe from any animals that may try to harm them. What a good boy!
We have apples again!
We’ve partnered with Mt. Hood Organic Farms to bring you apples these next two weeks! Mt. Hood Organic Farms is located at the base of Mt. Hood in the Upper Hood River Valley. They’ve been around since the turn of the century, and their gorgeous grounds are perfect for both growing fruit and hosting beautiful wedding venues. Their pear and apple orchards boast near one hundred different varieties, and we’re so thrilled we get to offer you a taste of their magnificent, organic, biodynamic produce. If you’d like to know more, visit their website to learn more about their awesome operation!
Tonight, November 12, you will be able to view the Northern Taurids Meteor Shower at its peak in the night sky. When the meteor shower is at its highest point of activity, you’ll be able to see up to ten meteors each hour. And, because the moon is nowhere near close to full right now, its light will cause very little interference. The Northern Taurids Meteor Shower is visible from October 20th to November 30th, so if you aren’t able to catch it tonight, you’ve still got plenty of time.
Then, between November 15th and November 20th, you’ll be able to catch the Leonids Meteor Shower in the northeastern sky near the constellation Leo (of which I own a star!). When this meteor shower is at its peak on November 16, you’ll be able to catch up to 15 meteors per hour. The November sky is full of celestial events this year, and you won’t want to miss any of it!
What’s in your box this week:
- Green Kabocha squash
- Delicata squash
- Carrots
- Parsnips
- Apples
- Napa Cabbage
- Pac Choi
- Lettuce
Some sites only:
- Kale
- Collard Greens
We aren’t always able to harvest our veggies in equal share, but we are working hard to make sure we get as much as we can to you. We’re keeping excellent notes each week, trying to keep it fair. We appreciate how understanding you’ve been when some of the crops don’t cooperate as much as we would like.
Handy Tips:
- Apples: Apples are an incredibly versatile fruit. They can be eaten plain, made into juice or sauce, or turned into ciders, vinegars, or alcohols. They can be dried and saved for later, or baked into your favorite treats. Apples can be stored at room temperature for a short amount of time, but check on them frequently to make sure they haven’t begun to rot. For the best results, sprinkle your apples with water, place them in a perforated plastic bag, and then store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator. They should keep for 2 to 3 weeks.
What We’re Making:
- Tis the season for squash, so here’s a recipe for Curried Kabocha Squash Soup I hope you’ll love.
- Looking for a new way to make Delicata squash? Why not try this Roasted Delicata Squash with Apples and Sage?
- This Carrot Almond Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a tasty treat that will hit the spot.
- Parsnips are delicious in this Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie.
- Have you ever tried coffee cake with apples? Well, this Apple Coffee Cake recipe is calling your name!
- Cabbage is one of those greens that has to be made right to taste good (unless it’s in a salad). That’s why I’m dying to try this Napa Cabbage with Hot Bacon Dressing!
- Looking for a side to go with that dish you love? Why not try out these Pac Choi and Kale Dumplings?
- If you want to spice up your meal, this Butterflied Trout with Spicy Lettuce, Celery, and Herbs is right up your ally.
- Kale is one of those greens you either love or hate, but these Cauliflower Rice Kimchi Bowls may just make you love it if you don’t already.
- This Collard Greens Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings might just be what you’re missing out of life. Give it a try!
One of our members made this gorgeous barley salad with roasted delicata squash using Winter Green veggies. It looks so fresh and delicious. What are you making? Send us a picture and a recipe, or tag us on social media, and you might see it on the blog! You can find us on Instagram (@wintergreenfarm) or on Facebook (Winter Green Farm). We’d love to see what you’re making!
As the season winds down, we’d like to say thank you for allowing us to tag along your food journey this year. We’re so glad we got to give you as many delicious veggies as we could this year, and we hope to see you next season!
Many blessings,
Chelsea and your Winter Green farmers