TANTRE FARM CSA NEWSLETTER
Extended Fall CSA Share
Week 1
Oct. 15-21, 2017
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. **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.
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 salad green with a peppery mustard flavor
-How to use: add to salads, soups, and sautéed vegetable dishes
-How to store: very perishable, so use up quickly; store in plastic bag with a paper towel in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
BROCCOLI: emerald green, tiny buds that are clustered on top of stout, edible stems. You will receive broccoli shoots in your box and 1 head of broccoli outside of the box.
-How to use: use raw, steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, in casseroles, soups, pizzas, etc.
-How to store: store loosely in plastic bag for up to a week
CARROTS (Hercules): sweet, orange, cone-shaped roots; good eating quality and stores well.
-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: refrigerate dry and unwashed roots in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks
CAULIFLOWER (Amazing): You will receive 2 kinds, Amazing (medium-sized, white heads with domed, solid curds) and Graffitti (brilliant purple heads; attractive served raw with dip or as a cooked vegetable).
-How to use: raw for salads and dips, steamed, sauteed, or roasted.
-How to store: sweetest and best when used within a week when stored in the refrigerator, but can last up to 2 weeks.
-How to freeze: blanch 2-4 minutes, rinse under cold water, drain and dry, pack into freezer bags.
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 any day. Extra bouquets cost $4.
GARLIC: a bulb of several papery white cloves; believed to help in fighting infections, cancer prevention, and the immune system.
-How to use: minced raw in salad dressings, sautéed and added to stir-fries, meats, vegetables
-How to store: fresh garlic can be stored in an open, breathable container in a cool, dark place for many months.
KALE: You will receive Rainbow Lacinato Kale (unique “purple dino” kale has deeply curled leaves in dusky-green with bright purple stems and veins).
-How to use: for salads, soups, and light cooking
-How to store: keep in plastic bag or damp towel in refrigerator
ONIONS: You will receive Red Zeppelin (medium to large, globe-shaped bulbs with deep red color).
-How to store: will store for six months or more, if kept in a cold, dark place, but remove any ones starting to go soft from the others.
SWEET PEPPERS: You will receive Green Bell Peppers (large blocky cells with fruity, sweet flavor) and 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).
-How to use: eat raw for best nutrient retention; can be added to soups, stews, omelets, quiches, stir-fries, etc.; excellent stuffed.
-How to store: refrigerate unwashed in hydrator drawer for 1-2 weeks.
POTATOES: You will receive Carola (yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying) and Adirondack Blue (round to oblong, slightly flattened tubers have glistening blue skin enclosing deep blue flesh; moist, flavorful flesh is superb for mashing or salads; very high in antioxidants!).
-How to store: Keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag
RADISHES (Easter Egg): a beautiful mix of red, purple, pink, and white round radishes; crisp and mild flavor.
-How to use: raw, roasted, used in soups, sliced in salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries, grated in slaws; radish greens are delicious in soups or stir-fries and are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C.
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag/damp towel for 1-2 weeks.
BABY RAPINI: also called “Broccoli Raab” or Rabe or Rape; leafy green with 6- to 9-inch stalks and scattered clusters of tiny broccoli-like buds (most of ours don’t have buds yet, so just the leaf); traditional Italian specialty combining qualities of broccoli and mustard greens.
-How to use: used for salads or light cooking; to cook simply: clean rappini with water, oil pan, add garlic and brown. Add 1 cup of water. Put in rappini, season to taste. (Lemon may be used if desired.) Cover pan and steam for thirty minutes. Pepperoni or sausage may be added to rappini after it is fully cooked.
-How to store: wrap in dampened cloth in plastic bag for up to 1 week.
TOMATOES: You will receive San Marzano (early, large classic Italian Roma tomato; delicious, balanced acidic flavor and meaty flesh makes for good sauce and paste).
-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
WHITE HAKUREI TURNIPS and GREENS: A white salad turnip with round, smooth roots that have a sweet, fruity flavor with a crisp, tender texture.
-How to use: white roots good in salads and soups, roasted, steamed, sautéed. Greens can be boiled, steamed, sautéed, stir-fried
-How to store: remove greens from turnip root and store separately in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 3 days; roots can last up to 1-2 weeks in refrigerator.
WINTER SQUASH: You will receive Butternut (light, tan-colored skin; small seed cavities with thick, cylindrical necks; bright orange, moist, sweet flesh; longest storage potential of all squash) and Delicata (small, oblong, creamy colored with long green stripes, only slightly ribbed; pale yellow, sweet flesh; edible skin; best eaten within 4 months of harvest).
-How to use: Slice in half, scoop seeds out and bake with a little water in baking pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until tender; boil or steam chunks for 15-20 minutes, or until tender (peel skins off “before” or “after“ cooked, but “after” is easiest when it’s cooled); mash cooked squash with butter; purée cooked squash for creamy soup, or add uncooked chunks to soups or stews; add small amounts to yeast breads, muffins, cookies, pies, oatmeal, etc.
-How to store: Keep for several months (depending on the variety) in a dry, moderately warm (50-60 degrees), but not freezing location with 60-75% humidity; will also store at room temperature.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. VACATION HOLD or PICK UP RESCHEDULE: If you know that you are not able to pick up or need to reschedule pick up days during these coming 3 weeks for any reason, you can make those changes yourself by going into this link http://tantrefarm.csasignup.com and choosing “Schedule vacations or pick up location changes” under the “Member Actions” box on the left. You will need to do this a week ahead of time, if you know that you will not be picking up your share or you want to change your pick up date or location, or email us to make changes. Please make a strong effort to PICK UP ALL OF YOUR SHARES in the next few weeks. If you miss a share pick up, it is available at the farm ONLY for that day and 1 day after, but please let us know ASAP, so we know what to do with your share.
2. PRORATED SHARES: Those of you with prorated shares should know that you will all receive the online newsletter every week and also Pick Up Reminders the night before you are scheduled even though it might not be your week to pick up. This is all just computer automated, and it can’t be undone for individuals. Just FYI!
3. THANKSGIVING CSA Registration is OPEN! A more detailed email notice about this will come out to you soon. You can also read more details about the Thanksgiving Share on our website under “CSA Info”, and sign up on our website. This share is a one-time pick-up of 60 to 80 pounds of produce for winter storage or to stock up on vegetables before the holiday for $120. This share will be available for pick up on Nov. 18 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving) at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market from 7 A.M. until Noon, Tantré Farm from 2-5 P.M., and Pure Pastures in Plymouth from 9 AM – 7 PM.
4. PLASTIC AND PAPER GROCERY BAGS NEEDED: We encourage you to bring cloth bags, coolers, or totes to take extra produce home that is on the side besides getting the share box, so we ask for donated “grocery” (other sizes are less convenient) bags at Distribution Sites. If anyone has piles and piles of bags, please donate them to any site you pick up.
5. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDERS:
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)–7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
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.
Pure Pastures (Wed)–9 A.M. To 7 P.M.
RECIPES
STEAMED BROCCOLI AND SQUASH WITH TAHINI SAUCE (from http://www.wholeliving.com/151380/steamed-broccoli-and-squash-tahini-dressing)
1/2 head broccoli florets
1 Delicata squash, sliced and seeded
1 cup mixed tender greens (arugula and/or rapini)
1 cup thinly sliced red or green cabbage
2 Tbsp diced red onion
Coarse salt and pepper
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup Tahini Sauce (1/2 cup tahini, grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 chopped garlic clove, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, coarse salt)
Steam broccoli florets until bright green and tender, about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside. Steam squash until bright yellow and tender, about 10 minutes. In a bowl, toss greens, cabbage, and red onion. Top with steamed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with tahini sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
BLUE POTATOES MASHED WITH ROASTED GARLIC (from www.foodnetwork.com)
3 lbs (about 6 cups) blue potatoes
2 1/2 oz (about 2-4 cloves, depending on size) roasted garlic
1/4 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp Parmesan, grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes. Boil them in salted water for approximately 15 minutes or fork tender. Once potatoes have cooked, drain the water. In a large bowl add the garlic, sour cream, butter, and Parmesan to the potatoes, and mash until desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
GINGER PEANUT SOUP (from How it all Vegan) Serves 4-6
1 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped
1 1/2 cups cauliflower, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cups vegetable stock or water
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes (or 1 quart Roma tomatoes)
5 Tbsp natural peanut butter (or nut butter)
In a large soup pot, saute the broccoli, cauliflower, onions, ginger, garlic, cayenne, salt, and pepper in oil on medium heat until vegetables are tender. Add the stock, tomatoes, and nut butter. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
COOL and CRUNCHY RADISH AND TURNIP SALAD (from Eggs on Sunday) Serves 2
6 small radishes, thinly sliced
4 small salad turnips, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp rice vinegar
Juice of half a lime
1 Tbsp chopped chives or parsley
Coarse kosher or sea salt, to taste
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and stir gently but thoroughly to combine and coat all the slices. Taste and season with salt (start with a little pinch and gradually add it until the flavors “pop” as much as you like).