2021 CSA Season – Week Two

June 15, 2021

Welcome to Week Two of the Winter Green Farm 2021 CSA Season! We’re so happy to have you all here, and we’re thrilled you’re joining us in the excitement this year!

Special Announcements:

Last week went smoothly, but as always happens at the beginning of an adventure, there are a few wrinkles we need to smooth out.

When picking up your share, please be on the lookout for boxes with labeled lids. These labels will be on bright yellow tape, and they’re for members with a specified box to pick up. In some cases, they’re labeled because a member has a severe allergy for certain foods. In others, it’s because their box didn’t get picked up at their regular site so it’s been rerouted. If someone takes a labeled box instead of an unlabeled box from the list, the specified member may not get a share that week. Please remember to only take your own share and to check your name off the list.

As Oregon continues to open up, please remember to continue your safe social distancing practices. Masks are recommended, and we will provide hand sanitizer and clean pens at every site. If you could please take only your share, we would greatly appreciate it. Please take all the veggies in your box this year, and if you’re sharing with someone else, please make arrangements to do so outside the pickup site.

Half-Share folks!

Those of you receiving the 12-week share will begin this week. If you are getting a box this week, your name will be on the checklist. Please remember to check your name off so we know you got your box. If your name is not on the checklist, it’s NOT your week! Please do not take another member’s box. Please refer to your delivery info, and if you have any questions, get ahold of the farm at 541-935-1920 or [email protected].

We have a new website! If you get the chance, check it out and see what it has to offer. We’ll be handling a lot of business through our website this year and in the years to come. One of the new features we’re excited about is the vacation request feature (found in the CSA FAQs). We know summer gets busy and this feature will let us help get you your veggies throughout the season. One change to be aware of this year is we’re asking you give us a week’s notice (unless there are extreme circumstances) to make changes in order to make our farmers’ and our drivers’ lives a little easier on delivery day.

Summer is finally here!

The longest day of the year is coming up this week on Sunday, June 20 (it’s also Father’s Day–don’t forget to appreciate all the wonderful dads in your life!). On this day, the Summer Solstice, the sun travels its longest path around the globe and reaches its highest point. Because of the way the Earth tilts on its axis, the Northern Hemisphere gets its longest amount of daylight at the end of June.

In some cultures, the Summer Solstice is considered one of the eight yearly Sabbats, and is called Litha. The solstice is thought to be a battle between Light (the Oak King) and Dark (the Holly King). Traditionally, the Oak King rules from the Winter Solstice (Yule) until the Summer Solstice (Litha), when the two Kings face in battle for control. When the Holly King wins the fight, the days get progressively darker during his reign until the Oak King once again takes the throne.

The Summer Solstice is celebrated across the world each year. Some Native cultures celebrate with a Sun Dance. In England, thousands flock to Stonehenge each year to see the stones of the monolith directly line up with the sun. The ancient Celts celebrated with a fire festival filled with music and dancing, where participants jumped over the bonfire for good luck. However you choose to celebrate, we hope you do something fun with your loved ones and enjoy the abundance of sunshine.

What’s in Your Share this Week:

  • Curly Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Snap Peas
  • Carrots
  • Green Onions
  • Radishes

For some sites only:

  • Strawberries

For those of you new to our CSA, we don’t always end up harvesting our veggies in equal amounts. In this case, the weather didn’t cooperate and the rain limited the number of strawberries we could get for you. Don’t worry though! Our office is keeping excellent notes. If you don’t get strawberries in your box this time, we’ll make sure to get you next time!

Handy Tips:

Carrots: Cut or twist carrot tops off before storing in plastic bag in the refrigerator.  They will keep for several weeks. Clean carrots well before eating by scrubbing with a vegetable brush under running water. Do not peel unless damaged as much of the nutrients are very close to the skin. Eat carrots raw in sticks, rounds, julienned, or grated, or add slices or chunks to soups, stews, or casseroles. Carrots are also delicious lightly steamed or sautéed and garnished with butter or olive oil and fresh herbs. Try them grated with oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper.

Green Onions: Green Onions, also known as Scallions, should be stored unwashed and wrapped loosely in a plastic bag. Put them in the refrigerator, where they will keep for a week. To keep green onions longer, chop off about three-quarters of the tender, green tips: the end closest to the root is less perishable.

You can eat the entire Green Onion. Use them chopped as a garnish, or use as a substitute for chives. Excellent in soups and stews, especially if added late in cooking. Grill, bake, broil, or stir-fry with a little oil to concentrate their sweetness and flavor.

Snap Peas: Snap peas are best stored in a plastic bag in your fridge. You can eat them as they are, in a stir fry, or salad, or try a fun new recipe!

What We’re Making:

  • I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot outside, the last thing I want to do is heat up my kitchen. I’m looking forward to trying this Kale and Quinoa Salad when all I want to do is sit outside.
  • If your family is like mine, fresh strawberries don’t last long in your house. But if you’re able to snag some, this Strawberry Eton Mess is a yummy dessert to put them to good use.
  • For some kids, eating peas is an act of torture. How can you make them eat peas?! But when you add cheese and garlic like these Garlic Parmesan Snap Peas, even a picky eater will love them.
  • We all know that feeling when we’re looking for a healthy afternoon snack. These Sweet Potato and Carrot Tots might be the perfect thing for that craving, both for you and your little helpers.
  • Barbeque season is upon us, and these Crispy Roasted Radishes are the perfect addition to give your meal a little bite!

We love to see what you’re making each week, so send us a picture! You can shoot us a photo in an email at [email protected] or find us on social media. Our handle on Instagram is @wintergreenfarm, or for Facebook, Winter Green Farm. Check us out to see daily life on the farm and send us a picture of your yummy recipes. Don’t forget to tag us if you post so we can share!

We’re so enjoying the weather this season (yes, even the much-needed rain!) and we’re hoping you are, too. Whether you’re hanging out at home or out on an adventure, we hope your meals are scrumptious, your days are warm, and your veggies are wonderfully delicious.

Many blessings,

Chelsea, Linda, and your Winter Green Farmers