Category Archives: CSADist

2015 CSA Summer July 18th Planet Earth Diversified

2015 CSA Summer July 18th Planet Earth Diversified

  •  Green Beans
  •  Pepper Medley
  •  Baby Arugula Box
  •  Collards
  •  Watercress Box
  •  Tomatoes
  •  Cucumber
  •  Potatoes
  •  Early Garlic
  •  Shallots
  •  Poultry Herb Blend
  •  Lemongrass
  •  Zucchini/Squash
  •  Squash Blossoms

2015 CSA Summer July 18 Planet Earth Diversified

Planet Earth Diversified greenhouse Production

Planet Earth Diversified greenhouse Production

Sharondale Farm Mark Jones Mushroom expert

Sharondale Farm Mark Jones Mushroom expert

Care and protection are reflected in the flavor and healthy benefits of what some have called “medicinal quality” herbs. This mindfulness is also revealed in the distinctive methods used to tend the soil, via compost, no-till, and an ecologically based focus all the way down to microscopic levels. Michael picked up some spawn to set spores in his compost this week courtesy of Sharondale farm’s Mark Jones. They have long enjoyed sharing insights about permaculture and biology. Both also explore the habitat and relationships of microbial action in their climates. The spawn to seed the compost was the “garden ally” stropharia rugoso-annulata which according to Mark’s website “attracts earthworms, captures phosphorus in the soil, and eats coli-form bacteria”. The journey began for this strain at another friend’s farm: Ted’s Last Stand. They are just one aisle over from us at the Saturday market in Charlottesville.

stropharia rugoso-annulata

stropharia rugoso-annulata

This week’s tender baby arugula is an all time favorite for many. The flavor does not have the big spicy bite of adult arugula, but rather a sweet nuttiness. We hope you enjoy! J
Care and protection are reflected in the flavor and healthy benefits of what some have called “medicinal quality” herbs. This mindfulness is also revealed in the distinctive methods used to tend the soil, via compost, no-till, and an ecologically based focus all the way down to microscopic levels. Michael picked up some spawn to set spores in his compost this week courtesy of Sharondale farm’s Mark Jones. They have long enjoyed sharing insights about permaculture and biology. Both also explore the habitat and relationships of microbial action in their climates. The spawn to seed the compost was the “garden ally” stropharia rugoso-annulata which according to Mark’s website “attracts earthworms, captures phosphorus in the soil, and eats coli-form bacteria”. The journey began for this strain at another friend’s farm: Ted’s Last Stand. They are just one aisle over from us at the Saturday market in Charlottesville.
This week’s tender baby arugula is an all time favorite for many. The flavor does not have the big spicy bite of adult arugula, but rather a sweet nuttiness. We hope you enjoy!

Green bean plant

2015 CSA Summer July 12th

REMEMBER to sign up for SUMMER share starting now!

2015 CSA                Summer July 12th                          Planet Earth Diversified

  •  Green Beans
  •  Pepper Medley
  •  Eggplant
  •  Chard
  •  Collards
  •  Watercress Box
  •  Tomatoes
  •  Cucumber
  •  Potatoes
  •  Early Garlic
  •  Shallots
  •  Tarragon
  •  Lemongrass
  •  Thai Basil
  •  Zucchini/Squash
  •  Squash Blossoms

Now into green bean land! There are so many ways to enjoy green beans from tempura (photo from recipegreat.com), casserole (photo preventcancer.aicr.org) to salad (photo delectablyfree.com), but i did not find any recipes using raw green beans, and we do enjoy them raw ourselves. All of the salad recipes called for the beans to be blanched, cooked to the tenderness of your liking. But the recipe that really caught my eye was a homemade version of green bean casserole from scratch, from the previously mentioned preventcancer.aicr site, photo above left. Ingredients: 1 lb of green beans, oil, ½ cup chopped onion, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 8 oz chopped mushrooms, 1 clove of chopped garlic, 2tbs of flour, 1 ½ cup milk, salt, pepper and pinch of cayenne. The recipe says to cook the green beans, 5 min, set in oiled baking dish; sauté the onion and mix with the breadcrumbs for topping; then cook the mushrooms 2-3 minutes before finishing with the garlic, add to the green beans in the baking dish; then add a bit of oil and the flour, scraping bits together from the pan and add the milk, stirring vigorously; simmer until thick enough to coat spoon, or until stirring with the spoon creates a wide swath, from 5-7 minutes, and add the seasonings. Mix this with green beans and mushrooms, spreading into an even layer. Sprinkle with the topping and bake for about 10 minutes or until top is crunchy….Doesn’t that sound good! Much better than casserole from a can.

red white and blue potatoes

2015 CSA Summer July 4th

2015 CSA                Summer           July 4th                     Planet Earth Diversified

  •   Chard
  •   Collards
  •   Lacinato Kale
  •   Spring Onions
  •   Baby Beet bunch
  •   Tomatoes
  •   Cucumber
  •   Potatoes
  •   Early Garlic
  •   Shallots
  •   Mint
  •   Lemongrass
  •   Basil
  •   Zucchini/Squash
  •   Chives
  •   Squash Blossoms

For a refreshing tonic, try combining cucumber, mint, lemongrass and basil for a chilled infusion. The ingredients can be thinly sliced into a pitcher of water and set to chill in the fridge. Since lemongrass is fibrous, cut lengthwise and crush with a rolling pin. For a different approach, process through a blender and strain, adding water to taste. Could be a satisfying surprise to share over the holiday weekend. J To your pleasure and your health!