Several weeks ago, the u-pick blackberries started ripening at my CSA farm. Each week that they were available, I diligently trudged to the patch at the back of the farm plot and searched for a handful of ripe blackberries. I didn't have much luck, but I did learn that if you want to find the good stuff, you have to get down on the ground and look under the bush. The ripe ones are always hiding under the leaves. The blackberries are gone, so when I saw the announcement on the chalk-board this week that the raspberries were ripe and we were welcome to help ourselves to a pint apiece, I was ready for some heavy searching yet again. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were raspberries aplenty and, while it didn't hurt to look under the bushes, there really wasn't any need to. Ripe berries were front and center and ready to take their place in my container. I can't wait to have them on my yogurt in the morning.
What I brought home this week:
4.5 lbs green beans (includes additional full-share)- 3.5 lbs tomatoes (1 medium, 3 large plum, abt. 20 large cherry-type)
- 1 small yellow squash (0.5 lb)
- 2 small cucumbers (0.5 lb)
- 1 small eggplant
- 1 sweet green pepper
- 0.75 lbs chard
- 0.5 oz. Parsley
- Basil and oregano
- 1 pint red raspberries
I'm currently making more soup, most of which will likely take up what little space is left in my freezer. The room I have for "putting up" produce is probably about doubled since last year, and I'm grateful for that. Still, I'm shopping around for a small chest freezer, because I'd like to have room for what's still to come: apples, broccoli, sweet potatoes, winter squash, carrots and more zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, tomatoes, and beans. Plus I'd like to be able to freeze some more non-CSA stuff, like corn, cauliflower, peppers and peaches.
Thanks to everyone for the recipe suggestions. Keep them coming if you have them. I'm enjoying the recommendations and looking forward to using them in the future.
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6 comments:
Quite a haul! Have you ever thought of "renting" freezer space from someone or a biz? Maybe you could barter some of your produce in trade? Would be neat to have a swap arrangement with a restaurant or somewhere. ;)
We're getting strawberries this week too, it makes me so happy!
We've only had green peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers so far - our sweet corn died this year. :-( But we should have some squash and watermelon here in the next few days.
My grandmother has a VERY easy yellow squash recipe: Slice the squash in a fying pan with a tablespoon or two of butter (enough so the squash won't burn}with a half to a whole large onion {fresh not dried onion}and
fry until tender. I haven't had this in years, so I'm looking forward to making it!
Angie - That's a great idea. I'd thought about doing this for canning - "renting" a friend's kitchen in exchange for some of the canned goods - but never got around to it. I'll have to think about who might have some extra freezer space. Hmmm...
Kat - Our strawberries are long gone. *sigh* I miss them and didn't get nearly enough of them when they were around.
Melissa - Sorry to hear about your corn. That's one thing I'm learning from the CSA and spending time at farmers' markets: We're never guaranteed a good harvest and we have to make do with what we get. It's a good lesson to learn in our instantaneous society, I think.
Lucky you!
FYI- that floor cost less than $100. Granted, it is small, but the tiles are sooooo cheap and come in a huge variety of colors. Totally worth $100. And quite easy to install.
Betsy - My kitchen is pretty small, too, so I'm sure it wouldn't cost much either. I'm dreading pulling up the current floor...I have a feeling it will be a while before I get to that project. :)
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