Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #15
Sept. 4-10, 2016
If needed, please contact Richard Andres & Deb Lentz at 2510 Hayes Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118 e-mail: tantrefarm@hotmail.com phone: 734-475-4323 website: www.tantrefarm.com.
In our newsletter, we try to give you an accurate listing of the produce in your box; however, since the newsletter is published often before the harvest, we may sometimes substitute some vegetables for others. The information provided here is also published each week on our website.
We try to keep the printed newsletter to a 2-page maximum, which means that we won’t list all the share items’ descriptions every week, but refer you to previous newsletters for information on items that have already appeared in your shares.
THIS WEEK’S SHARE
ARUGULA: an aromatic, bright green, salad green with a peppery mustard flavor; rich in iron and vitamins A and C. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.
GREEN or YELLOW BEANS: You will receive Jade (a long, slender, deep green, fillet bean that is tender and delicious) or Isar (beautiful, yellow, fillet bean with excellent flavor). See Week 8 newsletter for usage and storage information.
BROCCOLI: deep emerald green, tiny buds that are clustered on top of stout, edible stems; high in vitamins A, C, calcium, potassium, and iron; known as an anti-cancer vegetable. See Week 5 newsletter for usage and storage information.
SWEET CORN (Potawatomi): yellow kernels with excellent sweet flavor. (We don’t treat our corn with pesticides, so you may find some ear worms enjoying the corn too; just break off the damaged part and cook the rest of the ear.) See Week 12 for usage and storage information.
EGGPLANT: You will receive Nadia (slender, purplish-black, glossy-like, bell-shaped fruit) or Orient Express (dark purple Asian type with long, slender, glossy fruits, which are tender, delicately flavored, and quick cooking). See Week 8 newsletter for usage and storage information.
U-PICK FLOWERS (only available on the farm): A bouquet per household of up to 15 stems will be part of your share, if you are able to come and pick it. This means that if you are splitting a share, each household can pick a bouquet in the u-pick flower garden at the farm. Please call or email ahead only if you plan to pick on other days besides Farm Distribution Days (Wed. and Fri. , when we are here!), so we can make sure someone is around to help you. More information about u-pick flowers in the “Announcements” section.
GARLIC: a bulb of several papery white cloves; believed to help in fighting infections, cancer prevention, bolstering the immune system. See Week 6 for usage and storage information.
FRESH HERBS: In general, store herbs upright with cut stems in 1 or 2 inches of water and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or wrap in slightly dampened cloth and store in refrigerator.
You may CHOOSE ONE bunch (NOT one bunch of each) from the following 4 options:
–French Sorrel–slightly tart, lemon-flavored green; excellent for salads, soups, and sauces; can be used in omelets, breads, or cooked as a side dish; leaves are shaped like spinach, but paler green in color; high in vitamin A and contains some calcium.
–Sage–an herb from an evergreen shrub in the mint family with long, narrow, grayish-green leaves; a musky aroma and a warm and spicy taste; used in making sausages, stews, breads, pickles and teas. The flowers are edible and make nice garnishes!
–Black-stemmed Peppermint–superior fragrance and flavor; forest green leaves with deep purple veins and stems, purple flowers; leaves are good as a hot or iced tea, and adds a delicious flavor when minced and added to cooked peas, carrots, potatoes, salads, and fresh strawberries.
–Lemon Balm– these fragrant lemon-minty leaves make a delicate herbal tea, served hot or cold; nicely paired with grilled fish, lamb and tossed with steamed vegetables; also aids in depression, tension, or nausea.
LETTUCE: You will receive a head/heads of Green Leaf, Romaine, or Buttercrunch. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.
KALE: You will receive Red Russian Kale (the stems are purple, and leaves are deep gray-green, purple-veined, flat, non-curled, and tooth-edged.) See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.
SWEET RED PEPPERS: You will receive Carmen (6 inch long, tapered fruit that ripens from green to a deep “carmine” red; sweet taste in salads and when roasted and fully red-ripe). See Week 14 for usage and storage information.
POTATOES: You will receive Mountain Rose (rosy-skinned inside and out, these versatile, all-purpose spuds are deliciously moist, but not waxy textured. Extra nutritious, and high in antioxidants. Excellent baked, mashed or fried). See Week 8 newsletter for usage and storage information.
TOMATOES: You will receive a few quarts of any of the following: Red Delight (round, cluster cocktail tomato with firm, deep red, shiny fruits), Verona (similar to Juliet, but with even tastier, somewhat plumper, deep red “cocktail plum” fruits; good in sauces and in salads), Nova (beautiful orangish-yellow grape tomato with excellent sweet flavor; firm and meaty), Geronimo (newer variety but already one of the most widely used beefsteak varieties; fruits are firm, nice red color and good taste), Tiren (early, classic San Marzano shaped tomato with same meaty texture and great flavor for sauce), or Japanese Black Trifele (unusual pear-shaped, heirloom tomato with burgundy, greenish color and excellent, rich flavor). You will also receive a few large Heirloom tomato varieties. We pick heirloom tomatoes slightly green to prevent splitting and damage, while transporting. Heirlooms are softer and more perishable when ripe, but the flavor of each is very memorable. Best to store upside down at room temperature until completely ripe. Very easy to can, freeze, and dehydrate for tomato flavors all season long!
-How to freeze: Core the big ones and cut smaller if you like, but just wash and pop the smaller tomatoes right into freezer bags.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. STILL OPENINGS at the TOMATO PRESERVING WORKSHOP at Tantre Farm on this Sunday, SEPT. 11 from 1 to 4 PM: Kristen Uthus (Tantré Farm worker–2002) will teach mostly how to can tomatoes, but also some time will be spent on dehydrating and freezing them. There will be active participation and “take-home” samples for those attending. Plan on bringing a Quart Size Canning Jar, a cutting board, and a knife. Please register with your Name, Phone Number, and E-mail Address in the body of the email to us. There will be a small $5 fee for materials. Bulk tomatoes will be available for you to buy. This is a great time for canning, freezing, or dehydrating!
2. FARM TO TABLE MEAL AT Tantre Farm on Sept. 24: Autumn is peaking around the bend, but the summer abundance remains. Let’s celebrate the harvest while the days are still long. Join “Alchemy” for a solstice send-off dinner under the trees at Tantré Farm, September 24 @ 6:00pm. 40 seats available, $60 per person. Request seats through email: treetownalchemy@gmail.com, and receive a Square invoice for payment, or purchase tickets at the Tantré market stand on Wednesdays and Saturdays through September 17. Here is a Peak Sneak of the Menu: Fig Punch, Spiced Flatbread, Pistachio Butter, Muhammara, Corn Salad, Ricotta Tart, Chilled Tormazo Soup, Eggplant Tagine with Zaatar Lamb, Ice Cream.
3. FALL WORK PARTY/END-OF SEASON POTLUCK will be Sunday, Sept. 25, between 1-4 P.M. Our end-of-season potluck will also be at this time, so please bring an hors d’oeuvre, snack, or refreshment to pass. Members are invited to bring family and friends to help harvest squash, pumpkins, and potatoes before the first frost. You may also come just to enjoy the farm and walk around to see the produce and the animals, listen to music, or just eat at the potluck anytime between 1 and 4 PM. We also will have sit-down activities, such as onion or garlic cleaning or dried herb stripping. Lots of kid-friendly activities, such as wagon rides, feeding animals, and bubbles. All who come will be able to take something home with them, such as a pumpkin or a winter squash. Please dress appropriately for the weather, since it will be scheduled rain or shine.
4. U-PICK AVAILABLE: Please call ahead if you plan to pick on other days besides Farm Distribution Days (Wed. and Fri.), so we can make sure someone is around to help you.
-U-pick Flowers–You may pick 1 bouquet of up to 15 stems per household for “free” in the u-pick flower garden on the farm. Whenever possible if you can donate $1 or $2 that will help to pay for some seed and labor costs. Extra bouquets will cost $4.
-U-pick Tomatoes—many tomato varieties are ready.
Members–$0.50/lb. Non members–$0.75/lb.
-Already-Picked Tomatoes – available for $1/lb. We will have some half bushels at market and at the farm for $20 or $25.
5. WEEDING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! We still could use the extra hands in getting some major weeding done, especially in the strawberries and herb garden. Please contact us.
6. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDERS:
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)–7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 AM to 12 PM
Farm (Wed.)–10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.) –6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Farm (Fri.)–2 P.M. to 7 P.M.
Community High School (Sat.) –7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Washtenaw Food Hub (Sat.)—9 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Chelsea Farmers’ Market (Sat.)–8 A.M. to 1 P.M.
RECIPES
COUSCOUS WITH TOMATO EGGPLANT SAUCE (Farm-Fresh Recipes by Janet Majure) Serves 6.
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 eggplant, skin on, diced
1 sweet pepper, cut julienne
2 c. chopped fresh tomatoes
salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry basil, rosemary, & oregano (or 1 tsp. fresh)
1/4 c. minced fresh parsley
1 c. water
1 lb. couscous
Cook onion until golden in olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 1 minute. Add eggplant and green pepper; cook and stir 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, paprika, herbs, and water; stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring often. Mash eggplant, then cook 30 minutes more. Cook couscous according to package directions. Serve sauce over hot couscous.
SORREL POTATO BAKE (from What Do You Do With This Stuff?)
1 bunch sorrel
2 quarts potatoes
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 c. stock (or milk)
1/4 c. grated Gruyere cheese
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Wash, stem, and coarsely chop sorrel. Sauté sorrel in olive oil until completely wilted. Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes on the bottom of a casserole dish. Season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg. Spread cooked sorrel evenly over potatoes. Layer rest of potatoes on top. Add enough stock (or milk) to just cover. Sprinkle cheese over surface. Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees.
TABBOULI (The World in Your Kitchen)
1/2 c. bulgur
a few lettuce leaves
4 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley, divided
2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
1 onion, finely sliced
4 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
4 Tbs. lemon juice
4 Tbs. olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
Soak bulgur 20-30 minutes in cold water to cover. Drain well. Line a salad bowl with lettuce leaves and spoon in bulgur. Mix in 3 tablespoons of the parsley, mint, onion, and tomatoes. Whisk lemon juice with olive oil, salt and pepper; toss with salad. Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of parsley on top. Serves 4-6.
HERB BLENDER DRINK
Wash and remove leaves from 1 bunch of peppermint or lemon balm. Blend leaves in blender with 6-8 ice cubes and about 2 to 4 quarts of water. Drizzle sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup) to taste. Strain through a sieve into a pitcher. Add some whole ice cubes to a glass. Very refreshing! We HIGHLY recommend it!