Friday, June 26, 2009

CSA Adventure: Weeks 6 and 7

Last week was a little crazy and I got behind on CSA posting...just as well, now I can start posting *in* the actual week (I was a few days off before--we get shares on Thursdays, so yesterday we received week 7's share).


I really need to work on actually taking care of things Thursday night. I've been terrible about just leaving our stuff--especially the herbs--on the kitchen table for a day or two, and that is bad news. I had to throw out all the garlic chives we got last week, except for a few that we put on our baked potatoes that night, because I left them sit out and there was moisture in the bag, so they got slimy and gross.


On the other hand, I feel so gourmet when I cook with fresh herbs! At the beginning, I didn't know what to do with them, really, but I'm getting into it more now--to the point that this week, I actually requested more fresh thyme because I have a use for it. I also love using fresh basil, and we got a mess of it this week. Yay for bruschetta pizza on the menu tomorrow night.


This week's share included soapwort, an herb/flower not to be taken internally, but which contains saponins--natural cleaners. Our newsletter included a recipe for homemade cleaner or shampoo, so I'll have to do some experimenting.


Last week's bounty:

  • three small yellow squash
  • an "Eight Ball Zucchini"--an heirloom variety of zucchini shaped like a small pumpkin--very strange looking!
  • peppermint (which I meant to use for mojitos, and never got around to before it got all brown and dry :(
  • garlic chives
  • four small hot peppers
  • six farm-fresh eggs
  • two pounds grass-fed ground beef

This week's bounty:

  • one small yellow squash
  • a regular zucchini and another Eight Ball zucchini
  • four white radishes (oh joy...supposed to be milder than the red variety, though)
  • sweet basil, purple basil and Genovese basil
  • a bunch of fresh thyme (by request--waaaay more than I needed)
  • soapwort
  • six farm-fresh eggs
  • beef short ribs

2 comments:

Combs said...

I saw CSA under your name when I was reading Liz's blog. It's apparently something completely different that what I though since you were talking about food. Hope that the fam is doing well!!!

Robin said...

Hey Amy,
Well, you may be surprised to find out I read your blog...but I do! In fact, I have it bookmarked. I can't tell you how many times I've been so blessed by how the Lord uses you to encourage others through your joys and struggles. I'm learning more and more what a gospel-centered life looks like through these little peeks into yours. I could say more about how I love reading your posts, but it may start to sound silly. (Especially since I'm commenting on a post that is about vegetables.) Anyways, I actually wanted to ask you a small favor. I've been leading a Bible study in Chicago for the past 2 years, and we've decided to begin working through Esther and Ruth. I was wondering if you've ever done a study or know of one with materials that don't ask cliche, leading questions that kill discussion. Basically, I'm looking for something that gets people thinking and talking and is scripturally sound. If you don't have anything - no sweat. But I thought I would drop you a line (or, like 40), if anything to tell you that I think of you and your little family often and that you're a blessing to me!