Frog Holler CSA: CSA Newsletter

Oops - tomatoes didn't make it into the photo!

Here's what's in your box - pictured above, listed below

BEANS - Green beans and Romano beans

CARROTS

ONION - Sweet Spanish

GARLIC

ZUCCHINI/SUMMER SQUASH

PAK CHOI (BOK CHOY)

CABBAGE - green

SWEET PEPPERS - NEW

TOMATOES

ARUGULA

FOR STORAGE: Pretty much the same for everything: quick rinse, drain, bag and refrigerate. Tops off carrots. Beans can be frozen for winter Minestrone. Or cooked for summer Minestrone!

RECIPES: We actually did have Minestrone this week and it worked fine on a breezy late summer day. The linked recipe calls for two cups of mixed seasonal veggies so you have lots of options from your share. Only the Pak Choi seems like it might not sync with Minestrone - but then again, why not? Fusion soup! Apparently Minestrone was traditionally made to use up leftover vegetables, so feel free to use any seasonal vegetables and greens you have on hand.

It might sound strange but we had Arugula Peach salad this week and it was delicious! The recipe calls for feta, which would be delicious, but we didn't have it so we added chopped sweet peppers along with the arugula, peaches and walnuts. Also delicious! We dressed it with a classic balsamic vinaigrette. Peaches are in season in Michigan now so don't miss a chance to pair their luscious juicy sweetness with our assertive peppery arugula (so much more flavorful than "baby arugula"!).

NOTES FROM THE FARM: We have been feeling slightly disoriented this week and a bit pensive. Right around this time, for the last thirteen years, we have been going slightly (majorly) crazy as we prepare for our festival, Holler Fest, that celebrates farming, food and music. This year, along with all other Michigan large gatherings, Holler Fest has been cancelled. We are keeping ourselves plenty busy with our expanded CSA (up 1700% from last year - we only had five members) but we will miss the weekend when the farm is filled with music, kids' laughter, friendly greetings and famous farm meals. To give you a peek at what we might have been doing this week, here is a short video taken in 2017 by Brian Ackley, a videographer who stayed at the farm that summer in exchange for, you guessed it, weeding! Brian made a number of videos highlighting the 2017 Holler Fest. Here are the Intro/festival prep scenes:

And here is the segment featuring some of the fun that kids have at Holler Fest. With many dedicated volunteers helping with crafts in the Kids Area, along with special kid-friendly musical events, it really is an amazing kids weekend!