Frog Holler CSA
Share #3, July 3, 2010

In the box:

Cabbage - new!
Rainbow Chard - new!
Scallions
Kale
Lettuce - Red or Green Romaine
Beets
Garlic Scapes - last time
Arugula
Salad Mix or Magenta Lettuce and Radishes





Welcome to Summer 4th of July Party - Frog Holler Farm

2:00 PM - CSA work party

4:00 PM - Games, farm tours, swimming

5:00 PM - Guided Nature/Farm Walk

6:00 PM - Potluck

8:00 PM - Music

Campers welcome - Yoga in the Barn on Monday morning

Directions to Frog Holler

More info: If you're coming to work and weed, bring gloves and a hat if you have them. Working on the farm is optional for Frog Holler CSA members, but here's a chance for those of you who would like to get to know their veggies from the ground up. We appreciate your letting us know if you're coming. And you're very welcome to come only for the later activities - they're all a great way to get acquainted with your farm!

The weather promises to be sunny and warm! We have a beautiful swimming pond, but it is not a wading pond, so sorry, no kiddos in the water unless they are competent swimmers.

We hope to see you!

Share Box Recipes:

Yes, there is a slightly unusual presentation of kale in the box and you are very welcome to separate the leaves from the stem and prepare as you would any kale dish. For loads of delicious kale recipes, visit Diana Dyer's blog, 365 Days of Kale. In the past newsletters, Diana has supplied us with some excellent garlic scape ideas; her kale repertoire is almost infinite; check it out!

But here's what we served at the Holler table with that beautiful bouquet of kale:

Flower of Kale
Take entire kale bouquet and steam in large pot. We simmered chopped scallions in the steaming water. Arrange kale bouquet on a large platter (we got out the turkey platter!). Serve dipping sauce on the side and simply pull off the tender leaves and dip them in the sauce.

Here is a tasty sauce accompaniment:

Thai Peanut Sauce

• 1/3 cup peanut butter, softened
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• juice from 2 limes (or lemons)
• 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
• salt to taste

• Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

***********************************************************************************
Beets, glorious beets!There are so many ways to prepare this delicious and nutritious vegetable! Here is a favorite at Frog Holler and although included in previous newsletters, it remains one of the most requested recipes, as friends tell friends about this curiously addicting spread. You can sample some if you come to the potluck on the 4th!

Beet Caviar

1 bunch beets, boil or roast, then cool and remove skins
½ c. walnuts: grind in blender or food processor(you may toast first but not necessary)
2-4 cloves of minced or pressed garlic, your call
Grate beets and mix everything together with one-quarter to one-third cup mayonnaise.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve as a dip or spread with some good crackers. Incredibly tasty!

Chlodnik!

This cold beet soup is the perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. There are many versions, but here is an delicious representative from the excellent blog: Four Obsessions: Reading, Writing, Cooking and Crafting

3 C chilled buttermilk
1/2 C Sour Cream (optional, or substitute yogurt)
1 t salt
1 smallish garlic clove, finely pressed or minced
1 C chopped seedless cucumber (or take a regular cucumber and cut out the seeds before you dice it)
1/2 C chopped radishes
1/2 C chopped walnuts
2 T chopped fresh dill
ground black pepper
1 C diced beets ( freshly roasted or boiled beets; you could use canned ones or pickled ones if you prefer.)

Whisk together all ingredients except beets and chill. Top each serving of soup with beets. Really good!


*************************************************************************************

A Chorus of Frogs

Did you know that one of the names for a group of frogs is a "chorus"? Well, here is a gallery of this year's froggie chorus, and if you come out on the 4th, you will even hear some of them sing! Any one of these friendly folk can help you with your share box at the market or farm.

Billy King - has tractor, will plow

Kenny King - badminton on tap for Sunday!

Edwin King - at the raspberries

Sistahs! Angie Martin returns from last year with sister Chrissy
signing on for the rest of this season.

Kat  - an Ann Arbor native!

Dorothy  - a proud berry picker. Sorry, following photos
taken when we still had berries :-(

Kristie  - also returning from last year

Leah - ace volunteer at farm or market

oops - maybe he'll help out in a few years! Sullivan from next door, in the berry patch.

Jupiter in the potato patch - helps farm members with their shares!

We have a great crew (or chorus) this year!You'll learn more about them in the the weeks to come, and perhaps meet them on Sunday. And if we don't see you this weekend, have a veggieful holiday!