2018: Week 10, July 29 – August 4

Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #10
July 29-Aug.4, 2018

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.

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. If you are new to our CSA, since you signed up with a prorated share, you can find all past newsletters on our website under the NEWSLETTERS tab.

In our newsletter, we try to give you an accurate listing of the produce in your box; however, since the newsletter is published before the harvest, we may sometimes substitute some vegetables for others. The information provided here is also published each week on our website. **Also, if you’re having trouble identifying any unfamiliar produce, please look for “Veggie ID” with additional information on our website under CSA INFO or under RECIPES.

THIS WEEK’S SHARE

GREEN or PUPRLE BEANS: You will receive Cosmos (fancy, dark green bean with superior eating quality) or Royal Burgundy (brilliant purple, smooth, round, meaty pods; add stunning color to salads when used raw; pods turn dark green when cooked; excellent fresh or frozen).
-How to use: raw in salads, steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, etc.
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag for up to 1 week.

CARROTS (Mokum): a very sweet, slender, “pencil carrot” with edible green leaves. Greens are delicious in soups and also salads.
-How to use: Can be used raw as carrot sticks, grated in salads or juiced; steamed or sautéed, in stews, soups, casseroles, stir-fries
-How to store: Remove greens from roots and refrigerate dry and unwashed roots in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks; greens may last up to a week refrigerated in plastic bag.

CUCUMBERS: long, cylindrical, green-skinned fruit of the gourd family with mild, crisp flesh. See Week 6 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

FRESH HERBS: We are letting our smaller patches of herbs recuperate for a week, so everyone will receive just basil this week.
*Genovese Basil—ALL SHARES will receive basil this week, an herb with sweet, spicy, shiny, green leaves. We supply it with root attached, so it will last up to a week or 2 when stored in a jar, vase, or glass of water on your counter or table top. Do NOT refrigerate!

KALE: You will receive Green Curly (well-ruffled, curly green leaves on green stems; this variety makes a good, roasted “kale chip”) and Rainbow Lacinato Kale (unique “purple dino” kale has deeply curled leaves in dusky-green with bright purple stems and veins) See Week 4 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

LETTUCE: You will receive lettuce, which may include Green or Red Leaf or Romaine. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

SWEET ONIONS (Ailsa Craig Exhibition): a huge, sweet, mild, yellow-skinned, heirloom onion that is well known by British gardeners who grow show-size onions.
-How to use: great for salads, soups, sandwiches, slices, onion rings, and other dishes for flavor
-How to store: not for long storage; wrap in damp towel or plastic bag in fridge for 2-7 days.

POTATOES (Kerr’s Pink): very pale skin and cream flesh; mealy, cooked texture, so makes a good specialty/salad potato variety; good roasted, mashed, or in salads. See Week 7 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

SUMMER SQUASH/ZUCCHINI: You will receive some variety of Green or Yellow Zucchini (gourmet golden or green zucchini with uniform, cylindrical fruits) or Slick Pik Summer Squash (long, yellow straight neck with good flavor). See Week 6 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

CHERRY TOMATOES: You will receive a mixed quart of Sakura (bright-red, shiny, medium-large cherry tomato with real sweet tomato flavor), Sun Gold Cherry (exceptionally sweet, bright tangerine-orange cherry tomato; less acidic than the red cherry tomato, so slightly less bland in flavor; popular as a garnish, in salads, or as a cooked side dish that can be sautéed with herbs), and Clementine (tangerine-colored, oval-round fruits; appealing, sweet-tart flavor. Exceptional when halved and roasted!).
-How to use: sauté, bake, broil, or grill; eat raw in salads or add to soups, stews, or sauces
-How to store: keep at room temperature for up to 1 week

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. FAMILY FARM HIKE on Aug. 3: Come join us for a guided monthly exploratory walk around Tantre Farm on Friday, Aug. 3, at 4 PM. We’ll use all our senses as we take an approx. 45-60 minute hike with CSA member, Alisse Portnoy, who teaches at the University of Michigan. She and her daughter are in their ninth year of once-a-week, long visits to the farm. They look forward to sharing some of its treasures and treasure spots with you. Meet at the picnic tables behind Main House at 2 pm.

2. KIDS’ COOKING CLASS on August 12 from 1 to 3 PM: We had so much fun in July with our first Kid Cooking Class that we are scheduling another one in August, so if you missed the first one perhaps you can make this one! Personal Chef Allison Anastasio Zeglis, from www.lastbitechef.com, will show you how to approach a CSA box, family style. Using a few classic techniques that can be adapted to a variety of vegetables, cook your way through a share box with your child. Get hands on experience as a dynamic duo tackling cooking projects and then enjoy eating them together at the end of the class. Please register with KID COOKING CLASS in the Subject Line and your NAME and your CHILD’S NAME, child’s AGE, PHONE, and EMAIL ADDRESS. Please bring $10/person or $30/family, but if financial difficulties, please let us know. More details coming!

3. KID FARM DAY will be on Wed., Aug. 22, from 9 AM until noon. This half-day will be for all kids who are 4 years old and older. Activities will include an edible farm walk, a nature craft to take home, and a fun movement activity! Snacks harvested from the farm will be included. Advance registration is required due to limited space and there will be a small fee for materials, which is still being finalized. Please register by e-mail with KID FARM DAY in the Subject Line with NAMES AND AGES of KIDS, NAME OF ADULT attending, PHONE NUMBER, and E-MAIL ADDRESS. Anyone interested in helping out, let us know..

4. RETURN YOUR SHARE BOXES WEEKLY: Please keep in mind that we reuse the CSA boxes every week, so it is helpful that everyone brings them back every week or empties them into bags or coolers every time you pick up. Thanks for helping us out!

5. WEEDING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in the HERB GARDEN & FLOWER GARDEN: If you are interested in helping out, please contact us any day of the week or evenings until dark. Thanks so much to all those, who have helped out so far!

6. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER:
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.
Pure Pastures (Wed.) (limited site) –9 AM to 7 PM
Farm (Fri.)–2 P.M. to 7 P.M.
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (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 12 P.M.
NEW! Argus-Packard (Sat) (limited site)–10 A.M. To 12 P.M.

RECIPES

SWEET ONION AND WATERMELON SALSA (from Farm-Fresh Recipes by Janet Majure)
2 cups chopped watermelon, seeded
3/4 cup sweet onion
3/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped seeded jalapeno chilies
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Mix watermelon, onion, beans, chilies, cilantro, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl. Refrigerate covered for 1 hour to blend flavors. Stir and serve as dip, condiment, or salad.

ROAST CHERRY TOMATO SPAGHETTI (from Organic Cookbook by Renee Elliott and Eric Treuille) Serves 4
1 lb cherry tomatoes (or 8 tomatoes cut into chunks)
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 lb spaghetti
1 handful fresh basil leaves, optional
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a roasting pan, combine the cherry tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, oil and vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat. Roast until soft and wilted, about 20 minutes. Cook the pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water until firm to the bite. Drain well and return pasta to the warm pot with the roast tomato sauce and basil, if using. Toss well to coat. Serve hot on warmed plates.

BAKED CUCUMBERS IN BASIL CREAM (from Farmer John’s Cookbook) Serves 4-6
1 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
4-5 cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, with 1-inch slices
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 scallion or 1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix the vinegar, salt, and sugar in bowl. Add the cucumber slices and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes. Drain the cucumber slices in a colander, then pat them dry with a clean dish towel. Put cucumber slices in a shallow baking dish. Pour the melted butter over them and add the scallion; toss to combine. Bake the cucumbers, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the cream in a small pot until it comes to a light boil. Continue to cook the cream, stirring frequently, until it is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Stir in the basil and turn off the heat; let mixture steep for 2 minutes. Pour the basil cream over the cooked cucumber slices. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

PURPLE BEAN AND TOMATO SALAD (from www.grouprecipes.com) Serves 1-2
6 oz green or purple beans, chopped into 1-inch pieces
3 Tbsp hummus
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp oregano
1 sprig parsley, minced
3 oz lettuce, shredded
1 plum tomato, halved lengthwise and sliced thinly
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Steam the bean pieces 4 minutes over boiling water. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix together hummus, lemon juice, oregano and parsley. Set aside. Place lettuce in a salad bowl. Top with tomato slices and warm, steamed beans. Season with pepper. Pour hummus mixture overtop of everything, toss lightly to coat. Serve immediately.

SWEET GREEN BEAN, CARROT, AND WALNUT STIR-FRY
1 qt green beans, stems removed
2 carrots, sliced medium-thin
2 cups walnuts (halves or pieces – and feel free to substitute cashews or favorite nuts)
1 cup raisins (optional)
3 Tbsp cooking oil
2 Tbsp tamari
2 Tbsp maple syrup or barley malt or brown sugar etc.
Steam carrots 3 minutes, add beans and steam another 2-3 minutes, then place in pan (cast iron recommended) where oil is already hot. Saute 3 minutes then make space in the center of the pan and add walnuts, then sweetener and tamari, then raisins if desired (it will already be fairly sweet). If you wished to be slightly more meticulous, you could combine nuts, raisins, sweetener, and tamari in a separate bowl and mix well before adding to stir-fry. Stir-fry another 3-5 minutes and enjoy!

FROSTY BASIL LEMONADE
3 cups water
1 1/2 lemons, peeled, halved, seeded
1/4 cup sugar or other sweetener
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1 cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients into blender in the order listed and secure lid. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

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