Hi everyone!
We’ve had an adventuresome week on the farm because of (you guessed it), that fierce and fast storm on Sunday. It passed through in only about 20 minutes but there was no mistaking where it had been. We got off lightly in the damage department with a couple greenhouses having their plastic damaged. Our power however, was interrupted for just over a day, and both work and life go on on the farm barring serious tragedy, so my backyard at home became a radish-washing station and my living room became the Zephyr Organics office headquarters. Such a crazy start to the week but all that needed to be done was done.
I am very excited about this week’s and next week’s variety. Cauliflower and broccoli are two items I wish we had way more of but are difficult for us to grow organically, so we have some this week for most people and those that don’t get it this week will get it next week (and some celery in the mean time). Grape tomatoes are on in a bigger way- and they’re just like candy if you ask me. Cucumbers are back and savoy cabbage is here (same as regular with those pretty frilly leaves).
This week instead of a recipe I would like to furnish you with some veggie storage know-how in a sweet little chart, so here goes (in with your list)…
| Item | Storage Location | Storage Tips | Uses |
| Cabbage (savoy) | Fridge in crisper drawer | Stir fries, soups, slaws, cabbage rolls | |
| Carrots | Fridge in crisper drawer or bag | Remove tops before storing and discard tops | Stir fries, soups, roasted, braised, boiled, sautéed. |
| Cauliflower, broccoli or celery | Fridge in crisper drawer | Stir fries, roasted, use in veggie tray | |
| Cucumber | Fridge in crisper drawer | Use in veggie tray or salad | |
| Kale (green) | Fridge in crisper Drawer | Great in produce bag so it does not lose moisture, loves ice | Smoothies, salad, pasta, stir fries, soup |
| Lettuce (red leaf) | Fridge in crisper drawer | Great in produce bag so it does not lose moisture | Salads, sandwiches, tacos |
| Lettuce (romaine) | Fridge in crisper drawer | Great in produce bag so it does not lose moisture | Salads, sandwiches, tacos |
| Peppers (green) | Fridge (can be kept at room temp. for short periods) | Veggie trays, stuffed peppers, fajitas, pastas, stir fries | |
| Tomatoes (grape) | Counter (room temp. for best flavour) | Veggie trays, salads, pastas | |
| Zucchini | Fridge in crisper drawer | Use as noodles, in stir fries, soups, pastas, sauces | |
| Celery | Fridge in crisper drawer | Veggie trays, alone with dip or cooked to add flavour to soups, casseroles | |
| Eggplant | Counter (room temp. to prevent brown spots). | Roast, use in eggplant parmesan, in soup, as meat substitute, roast and puree as dip (baba ghanouj) | |
| Ground Cherries | Counter | Peel back the cute wrappers and eat as fruit, use as cupcake garnish or add to salads | |
| Radish (red) | Fridge in crisper drawer | Remove tops to preserve freshness of radishes. Use tops as salad if desired | Toss or potato salads, to add crunch to sandwiches, or roasted or braised if milder flavour desired |
| Swiss Chard (rainbow or red) | Fridge in crisper drawer | Great in produce bag so it does not lose moisture | Pastas, salads, sauces, omelettes, smoothies, pizza |
| Tomatoes (roma) | Counter (room temp. for best flavour) | Placing in sun will ripen them further | Pastas, salads, roasted, soups |
*Items that lose their crispness can usually be perked up in a bath of cold water. Most veggies become wilty because of moisture loss.
| First ten items on list | Half and Whole Shares |
| Last 6 items on list | Whole Shares Only |
Here are some pretty pictures from lettuce cutting today. Have an awesome august!
