Category Archives: 2013 csa

CSA Updates

Posted in 2013 csa, farms, food, locavore by

Sorry for the delay in postings…between sickness, our oldest son starting kindergarten, and my picking up a part time job, I’ve been neglecting the blog a lot. I haven’t even been taking pics of our CSA shares, either. I’m as tired of stock footage as anyone. My apologies. There will be lots of posts coming in the next few days, including a giveaway, so stay tuned for those.

For the last few weeks, our CSA shares have been exceptionally good–we’ve had lots and lots of squash (several varieties), zucchini, tomatoes and tomatillos, watermelon, organic whole wheat flour, heaps of sunflowers, peppers, apples, and beans. I’m sure I’m forgetting some items…that is the down side for not updating like I should. I’ve never been much of a fan of squash, but now I am OBSESSED with spaghetti squash…I feel like I am making up for years of lost time!!

So, for you foodies who are reading this…any good ideas for using tomatillos?

Tomatillo

Tomatillo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Catching Up on CSA Happenings, and a Bit About My Choice to Use Advertising

Posted in 2013 csa, blogging, farms, food, locavore by

I forgot to post about last week’s CSA share, and I’ll post about this week’s, too.

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Isn’t this a gorgeous share this week? Last week, we had peppers, squash, zucchini and cucumbers, plus some peppers and onions and basic, and for two weeks now–sunflowers! This week added whole wheat flour, pattypan squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, cabbage, and nectarines and apples! So excited to use them!

If you have noticed, on the right hand side of my blog, I have started working with advertisers. I have had many blogs, and I fought this before because I couldn’t find a program that fit my desire to stay true to myself–I in NO way wanted random companies on my blog. I mean, what if they were dishonest or shady? I refused to post anything that I didn’t get to have a say in. I found a marketing center that has allowed me to apply for and then choose who I want to work with, so every advertiser has been a company I love and enjoy buying from or using. For example, we are Honest Company subscribers, Merrell makes my FAVORITE SHOES, Emergency Essentials is where we go to for our food storage, etc. You know that if I post it, I use it or know it. So, check them out!

CSA Share for July 18th, Plus Farmers Market Haul

Posted in 2013 csa, farms, food, locavore by

We received a bountiful CSA share today, and plus, I snagged some summer goodies at the market while I was there. The CSA share included bags of yellow and green beans, broccoli and cauliflower, leeks, zucchini and cucumbers, fresh basil, kale, and–get this–wheat berries! We have a new wheat grinder, and I can’t wait to make some of my own flour! (Perhaps I should blog the adventure?)

In addition, the bright, juicy peaches were hard to pass up, as peach season is now upon us, and on impulse, I purchased a vibrant summer bouquet.

I encourage you to find a farmers market near you! There are some wonderful summery treats waiting for you!

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Slow Cooker Squash Casserole

Posted in 2013 csa, food, locavore, recipes by

(Original source: http://crockingirls.com/recipes/squash-casserole/)

Time to use up that squash from my CSA and the farmers market. Yay!

Take some prepared cornbread and crumble it into pieces, two cups’ worth. (As you can see, I had to make mine this morning. I greatly prefer cornbread from scratch, but for mornings like this one, a mix works–I recommend Jiffy or Krusteaz.)

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In a mixing bowl, combine cornbread crumbles; 2 cups chopped, yellow summer squash;

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1 small yellow onion, diced; 1/3 stick butter or margarine; pepper, to taste, and a can of cream of chicken soup (the original recipe says that vegetable broth can be used as well). Mix. (I did slice my squash, to make it easier…it’s just fine, too.)

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Grease your slow cooker pot.

Pour the mixture into your slow cooker.

Cover the pot, and cook on high for three hours.

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CSA Share, Week #5

Posted in 2013 csa, farms, food, locavore by

Sorry, friends, I didn’t get the chance to take a pic of my CSA share in full this week (I split it with my in laws, and they already have their half of it). This week’s share includes kale, mustard greens, radishes, strawberries, squash, squash blossoms, onions, sugar snap peas, and salad greens. While at the market, I added to it more kale, two quarts of strawberries, and two squash.

Any recipe ideas for me???

Radieschen - Raphanus sativus - Marktware

Radieschen – Raphanus sativus – Marktware (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Minty Peas and Onions–Courtesy of Goodness Grows

Posted in 2013 csa, farms, food, locavore, recipes by

Dawn of Goodness Grows (http://www.goodnessgrowspa.com) shared this recipe with her CSA members (thank you!), and we tried it tonight as a snack with the sugar snap peas we received in this week’s CSA share. These peas are SO yummy–I wanted to lick the glaze out of the bowl. 😉

Minty Peas and Onions

2 green onions, chopped

2 cups peas

1/3 cup fresh Chocolate mint, chopped

1 t salt

1/2 t pepper

2 T sugar

2 T apple cider vinegar

Mix ingredients and serve fresh and raw…. super easy!

CSA Share, Week #4

Posted in 2013 csa, farms, food, locavore, weather by

I braved the wind and the rain to make it down to the Farmer’s Market again this week. I have a goal this season to make it once a week to one of the local markets while they are operating. The severe thunderstorms ceased for just long enough to make it to market.

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In this week’s CSA share, we have cabbage, onions, sugar snap peas, garlic, free range chicken eggs, cauliflower, salad greens, mint, and homemade strawberry cream cheese. Anyone have any good recipes for cauliflower?

I did not snag anything else at the market, as it is cheaper to pick my own strawberries at a local farm, and the asparagus is now, sadly, out of season.