August 13, 2016 - Share # 8

from the New Yorker, Aug. 8  & 15

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

KALE! :-)  and we don't think it's for nothing!

ZUCCHINI/SUMMER SQUASH

BEANS

BEETS

CELERY

LEEKS

ONIONS

CABBAGE

TOMATOES - at last!


NOTES FROM THE SHARE BOX:

For the beans, try a cool bean and feta salad. We have also been freezing beans which is easy to do - just blanch in boiling water for a few minutes, then plunge in a bowl of cold/ice water. Drain and bag up for delicious winter soups and side dishes! It's not really soup weather now, but if we get some rain this weekend, as promised, the leeks and celery will contribute nicely to a classic Potato Leek Soup. You could sneak some kale in there too! And here's a use for zucchini you probably haven't tried: Sweet Zuc' Biscuits. Make your pooch happy while using zucchini - the cooking challenge for August! And one of our members took some of the over-sized zucchini last week and said she was going home to make Zucchini Apple Crisp! Okay, maybe folks are getting desperate to use zucchini :-), but the internet supplies numerous accolades and recipes. You can also grate zucchini and freeze it for winter quick breads. Now you wish you had more zucchini!

And for fresh summer tomatoes - no recipe necessary!

NOTES FROM THE FARM:

Bioluminescence is the production of light by living organisms and we witnessed that for the first time at Frog Holler this week. We had been doing some roadwork for Holler Fest and dug up an old stump that had probably been rotting for ten years. That night when intern Marc walked through the woods after dark, he came across a large glowing area. Wondering if he was about to be abducted, adventurous Marc kept walking toward the greenish glow. He lived to tell the story and the rest of us went back the next night to see the fantastical glowing earth and tree stump. Photos needed a long exposure, but intern Nhin was able to capture these interesting shots.

The first one shows the area illuminated by the camera flash. Not much glow to see.

The second photo shows the glowing microorganisms scattered through the area. (But it really doesn't do it justice!). The third photo superimposes the glowing areas over the stump and ground.

The "foxfire" has slowly faded as it has been exposed to light. We finished the road work, covered up the stump and earth, and are left with a story to tell!

Illuminated with a flash.

Glowing in the dark

On the weather front: We have watched many rain predictions evaporate and are now looking at the results of a very hot, dry summer. Crops are hanging in there, and some seem even happy with the heat - like beans and tomatoes. We are watering constantly and will do our best to keep things growing until the fall rains come. An upside of the dry conditions is that flavor gets concentrated in some fruits and veggies. The tomatoes are really tasty this year!

While keeping the sprinklers going we are still preparing for Holler Fest, and this week you will receive your CSA passes to the Fest - one or two depending on your level of memberships. Bi-Weekly folks who get their shares next week will get their passes then. Market Share members can get their passes whenever they shop.

We hope to see you all at Holler Fest! We still have some volunteer slots open. If you want to join the team and have fun making the festival happen, click the volunteer link and let us know! And check out the Holler Fest web site for lots of photos, info and a flavor of the Fest. We have been updating it regularly with more information about activities at the fest.

And keep those rain dances going!

Have a great week everyone - thanks for bringing your boxes back!