October 13, 2012 - Share # 14 - Last share!

A season of stickers - we like to re-use them-just like your share boxes!

 IN THE BOX:

LETTUCE

ARUGULA

RED RADISHES

GREEN PEPPERS

BROCCOLI

HAKUREI TURNIPS (white)

BEETS

RUTABAGA (large root; beige and purple skin)

KOHLRABI (root veggie; white interior)

SWEET POTATOES (some cracking due to drought; flavor is excellent)

WINTER SQUASH

possible: Serrano peppers, if they didn't get damaged by frost

Sprinklers still misting the field as the sun starts to melt the ice.

NOTES FROM THE FROSTY FIELD:

Yes, we had a couple of hard frosts this week. We put sprinklers on the lettuce Sunday night, and even though there was a quarter inch of ice encasing the plants in the morning (which looked a little disturbing), the ice acted like an insulator and the lettuce survived! Other crops were not so lucky, and we have said good bye to all of our tender warm weather crops.

We are also saying good bye to you, our intrepid CSA members of 2012. Thank you for your support and understanding as we navigated one of the hottest summers on record combined with an extensive drought. We won some and we lost some, which is often the case, since we grow such a variety of produce. Lettuce and broccoli were the big losers to the hot weather, but how about those tomatoes? And red peppers? Some of our best crops in a while!

We hope that we will still see you at the market throughout October and into November; we'll be there with hardy greens and root vegetables as long as our supplies last. The market does go year round, and with more growers putting up "hoophouses' and finding ways to extend the season, options for eating locally abound! Bundle up and keep shopping the farmer's market for the freshest vegetables around!

NOTES FROM THE RECIPE BOX:

It's soup season, and this delicious squash soup will be sure to satisfy.

This tasty vegetarian nut pate is an excellent destination for slices of the kohlrabi and hakurei turnips in your share; broccoli spears and pepper slices would work nicely as well. We make this tasty spread regularly on the farm and it's a regular hit at potlucks, surrounded by fresh veggie dippers or chips and crackers. Simply reduce the amount of cayenne pepper if you don't like spicy food; otherwise, this dip does have a little kick!

Speaking of dips, did you know that the most valuable part of being a member of the Frog Holler CSA is that you have access to the Beet Caviar recipe? Something about this colorful dip intrigues and delights everyone who tastes it. We served some up to the People's Food Coop tour group last Sunday and it was very well-received. Beets are in your box this week; maybe time to whip up some caviar!

The Halloween treats in the photo use nothing in your share box :-), but what a simple and creative idea! Deviled eggs and olives do the trick! What we often do for Halloween is roast radishes and call them "Igor's Eyeballs". If you have roasted radishes before, you understand the concept. If not, try it out with the radishes in this share. Throw in some hakurei and chunks of kohlrabi - a delicious fall dish.


LOOKING AHEAD:

Frog Holler farmer and musician Billy King will be playing at a benefit for Selma Cafe, Ann Arbor's unique "breakfast salon," where folks meet every Friday to enjoy delicious food created by top chefs in the area from locally-sourced ingredients. Proceeds from the breakfasts go to benefit local farmers. It's a win-win for all involved and this musical evening will help Selma continue their mission supporting good food, good farms, and good friends!

            Our cats are getting into hibernation mode; hopefully we can join them in a month or two!



           Have a great fall and winter everyone and thank you so much!


        Best wishes from the King family - Cathy, Billy, Kenny and Edwin

and interns - Kirstin, Colleen, Bretton, Shannon, Susan, Samuel, Katie, Emily