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June 12, 2009
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CSA: Week One
We signed up for a share in a local CSA this year and today was our first pick-up (if you're not familiar with CSAs, there's lots of good information at Local Harvest). I am excited about every aspect of participating in this—supporting local farmers, having a weekly supply of fresh, local fruits and vegetables, helping the kids learn where their food comes from, etc.—so today's trip to the farm was highly anticipated. In truth, it's actually more accurate to say that I am smitten with this whole concept but I am trying to save my evangelism until I have some experience to back it up.
For anyone that might be interested in participating in a CSA but not quite sure what it would actually look like (like I was last fall), I thought it might be interesting to post a weekly report on what we're getting. Obviously every farm is different but this should at least be an example of what's possible with one type of place. Plus it will give me a photography assignment and a chance to practice my food photography, so why not?
In this week's share:
- lettuce, of the "red sails" variety (pictured above, out of focus in the back)
- braising greens (spring spinach and beet greens, above right)
- tatsoi (above left)
- Pistou basil (a French variety, pictured below). I believe the potted plant is an exception and we'll mostly get cut herbs but I've included the picture because that tiny plant springing out of the pot makes me happy.
- strawberries
Now on to the eating!
Note: I'm also attempting a small garden in pots on our patio for the second year but since we're participating in the CSA, I've given up on trying to produce actual vegetables in favor of more productive herbs. Visitors to my garden will be offered mint juleps made with one of several carnivorous mint varieties growing there, including the Kentucky Colonel variety used at the Kentucky Derby. Top that, CSA!
