Frog Holler CSA: July 25

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

Not baby chicks!

Beans - new!

Potatoes - new!

Purslane - new!

Cucumbers/pickling cukes

Summer squash/zucchini

Kale - curly

Carrots

Lettuce

Garlic

Choice of Basil or Cilantro

ABOUT THE BOX - storage and prep:

As promised last week, beans are now abundant. If you don't get to them right away, rinse, drain and store in a plastic bag. Same with everything else except the potatoes. These are new potatoes with tender skins so they should be refrigerated for long-term storage, but bet you'll eat them soon!

Purslane - revered around the world!

Purslane? Did you just weed that out of your garden? Considered a weed in the US, purslane has been a traditional mainstay in many cultures. One grower at the A2 Farmers Market told us about picking bushels of purslane as a kid to sell at the Eastern Market, largely to Mexican customers. But purslane is also popular in Indian cuisine and has been known as "Gandhi's favorite vegetable". The flavor of the succulent leaves and stems is mild with a citrus undertone, while the texture is juicy and crisp. With some of the highest antioxidant levels of any green plant, you just might benefit from adding a little purslane to your plate. Stir-fry, salads, or smoothies - give it a whirl!


Maan's green bean stew with whole head of garlic floating on the top!

Previous newsletters have mentioned our Lebanese neighbor, Maan Abdul-Baki, who loves to cook the traditional food of his culture and loves to share it! Maan has been (im)patiently waiting for the first green bean harvest and when we delivered a batch this week, he returned the favor with this Lebanese green bean stew (loubyeh b'zeit). (Note: this is not Maan's recipe - he doesn't need a recipe! But you get the idea.)

It is juicy with tomatoes, rich with garlic and olive oil, and tremendously delicious and satisfying. The only improvement will be when we can supply our own tomatoes with the next batch of beans! (hopefully, soon!) Maan cooks several authentic Lebanese dishes for lucky folks on Sundays at Holler Fest. Might be a good reason to stay the whole weekend at the Fest!

Speaking of Holler Fest - our three-day celebration of local food, music and culture, starts in just a month! As Frog Holler Farm CSA members, you are entitled to one or two weekend passes, depending on your level of membership. Come on out to the beautiful Irish Hills and see the farm, listen to great local music and share the last sweet days of summer with friends and family.

CSA member Faye Ogasawara offering massage at Holler Fest

And even though you have a pass, consider volunteering at Holler Fest. (Volunteers receive a weekend pass in exchange for two volunteer shifts.)We need lots of good help to create this special event, and volunteering is a fun way to participate. Several of our CSA members contribute in a variety of ways - check out the Volunteer Link on the web site to learn more about how you can help. Thank you and see you at Holler Fest!

CLUCKS FROM THE FARM:

Harriet Hen - new mother!

We have been a bit distracted this week as one of our hens hatched out nine baby chickies! A few weeks ago she started to sit on a few eggs and, since we don't have a rooster and our eggs aren't fertile, it wasn't going to go anywhere. So Emily got some fertile eggs from a neighbor and gently placed them under Harriet. Then...but let's let Harriet tell the story herself. Our CSA reporter caught up with Harriet for this heartwarming story.

CSA Weekly: Congratulations! We understand you "got broody" and that's how this all began.

Harriet Hen: Humph! What is this "broody" thing? I was going on a three-week meditation retreat, to contemplate the sound of one hen clucking. My sitting practice was going very well and then someone pushed a bunch of eggs under me!

CSA: I see! What did you do then?

HH: I changed my meditation to what comes first, the chicken or the egg!

CSA: But we understand that at one time you got up and actually left your nest to sit in another one.

HH: Well you try sitting on a pile of eggs! I had nearly figured out my koan: if a hen clucks in the coop and no one hears her, is there an egg? But I was getting distracted by all those lumps under me!

Mother Harriet Hen and babies!

CSA: But we understand that the eggs were moved back under you again.

HH: Yes, talk about mother hens!

CSA: And we understand that you even moved again just before your chicks started hatching.

HH: Well it tickled! And all these little pecks and chirps were very distracting to my meditation practice.

CSA: Well, lucky for the chicks they were moved back under you again and started to appear over two days.

HH: Ah yes, I finally reached a state of total acceptance...
and you know, they are kind of cute!