Another Monday – another day of seeding, planting & harvesting (and a bit of weeding too). To be honest, we’re not so excited about it all anymore. It’s been a long season and we’re feeling tired!

But when we see how the recently planted crops – especially the greens – are responding to these cooler, fall temperatures and growing with vigor, we also respond with increased energy and push on …

What’s in the box?

Swiss chard, radishes, sweet peppers & mini sweet peppers, lettuce & arugula, blackberries, onions, and garlic.

• Swiss chard will never be the most popular green – but it certainly is the brightest & prettiest!

• Chard is a healthy green, that cooks & tastes similar to spinach in many ways. We usually plant a row, offering it in our CSA once or twice, and selling bunches at market. But it never sells very well (good thing the chickens like it!). This year we tried something different and sold baby chard – chard that is planted quite thickly and then harvested when only a few inches tall. At this size it is very tender and can be eaten raw in salads. But some of it got away on us and now we have some beautiful full size swiss chard. If you are not familiar with chard, here are 2 websites that offer good information & simple recipes.
• https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/swiss_chard/
• https://www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com/simple-sauteed-swiss-chard/
• Fall radishes (or winter radishes) are different from spring radishes. They takes much longer to mature and the result is a very large, but milder, crispy radish. They are most delicious eaten raw but can also be stir-fried, or roasted. We planted lots, but then lost most of them due to poor germination when it was dry, and then to weeds. As a result this might be the only week they are in your box – so give them a try!
• This is high season for our sweet peppers! We have shepherds (the long, red, very sweet ones), & bell peppers in several colours. The harvest is plentiful – so expect plenty in the box this week! In a plastic bag in the fridge, peppers keep well for several weeks. They freeze well too – simply cut them up, pop into freezer bags and throw them in the freezer. When winter comes, you’ll be glad to have them for your cooking!
• We also have mini sweet bell peppers. These tiny peppers in yellow and red taste delicious and are great in lunches or as a snack. You could stuff them with cream cheese & herbs or try this recipe …
• https://www.skinnytaste.com/mini-bell-pepper-loaded-turkey-nachos/
• Lettuce mix, arugula, onions, garlic & blackberries complete your share this week. We’re still picking lots of blackberries, but the crop is coming to an abrupt end shortly! This may be the last week for blackberries!
• There are no tomatoes in the box this week. The cooler days & much cooler nights have slowed the (already weary) plants down and we are picking very, very few. Tomato season is ending!

________________________________________

We continue to draw energy from the beauty of the farm this time of year!