Uncategorized – Page 3 – Cane Creek Asparagus & Company CSA

Beeturia and Broad-Beans

In the box this week you can expect green cabbage, red beets, a variety of patty pan squash, long summer squash, yellow or green zucchini , orange carrots, some cukes (still regrowing from the deer feast), the last of the broccoli (on Wednesday only), some yellow broad-beans, and perhaps a bit of okra. I will know for sure once I began packing the harvest into boxes! The okra plants are stunted this season, so the amount will be limited. Then again, that seems to suit most families as many do not like okra.

I love the sweetness of roasted beets! Please remember that beet juice will stain anything it touches! To remove the pinkish stain from your fingers, try rubbing with salt or lemon juice. Also, ingesting beets will stain bodily fluids of people sometimes. This is called beeturia. The discoloration is due to betalain, a natural pigment found in beets. Not all people experience this; but if you are one of select who does, please do not be alarmed. It might be the time to bring out your “red” dish towel if you have one.

Leaving a bit of stem on the beet prevents excessive “bleeding” while boiling.

Speaking of roasted . . . a friend was telling me how she sliced patty pans and roasted them in EVOO with onions. I think I will give this a try tonight as we have been steaming patty pans recently. A change will be nice. A word on the yellow broad-beans. Robert and I think they are tougher than the green beans; therefore, I steamed a batch last evening for two (2) minutes instead of the one (1) minute setting which I typically use for veggies. We thought they were prefect–with butter, of course!

We do now have a twirling eight-foot fence around the gardens. It rather makes me dizzy to look at it on a windy day. Here’s trusting the Mama deer feels the same way. Robert saw the spotted fawn again last evening. He is about the size of large dog now! He very agilely ran from one tree line to the other when Robert was harvesting squash. I think they surprised one another!!

Blueberry Alert

Some of our CSA Members have been asking about our U-pick blueberries. They did survive that late May frost! However, this extended drought is taking its toll on our blueberries this season. Many berries are simply falling to the ground in this dry heat. Additionally, we have a late variety which will not be ready for another six weeks. This is not encouraging news, I know. Therefore, today I want to direct you to another local farm where blueberries and blackberries are currently (and for the next 3 – 4 weeks) available for picking! This location is the Cloud 9 Farm at 137 Bob Barnwell Road in Fletcher. My friend, Janet, has beautifully mowed and irrigated berry patches–which explains why she has so many berries this year. Also, she keeps the bushes trimmed so picking is easily maneuvered. Her business is berries where ours is veggies which means our berry patch is somewhat neglected during our harvest season.

Cloud 9 Farm Berries are available now on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. Drive past the “main venue entrance” to the BLUE GATE and berry patch. Janet will be there to give you more directions. No need to call, just check out the link above for details in advance.

Cloud 9 Farm is a 200 acre family farm that Janet’s father had the foresight to purchase decades ago. We have had family members get married there. And we have had family members stay in two of the vacation rental homes/cabins which are available for short-term rentals. It is in the neighborhood and great for when company outstrips ones available bedrooms!

As CSA Members, you are still welcomed to visit our blueberry patch, of course. If you have been here before, you know our bushes are quite tall and the field is not mowed which does make for a difficult picking site–except for the most adventurous! We do not charge a fee; we simply ask that you leave a half-share of what you harvest for the farmer who trims and weeds the patch each fall.

Dear Deer

As Robert was mowing “the front yard” (aka field), a small fawn jumped out of the tall grass and ran for the trees where the mother doe was waiting. Mystery solved as to where the baby was. The next day mom jumped our seven-foot garden fence, again, and helped herself to the baby (2-inch long) cucumbers! Never in the last thirty years has a deer eaten our cucumbers! We think perhaps she was expressing her disapproval to Robert for disturbing their hiding place!

My “dear” friend in another state has a doe frequenting her property as we do. However, in this case the mother leaves her baby fawn by my friend’s back door near her potted plants while she goes out foraging! The mother would not do this unless she felt her baby would be very safe in this location. I am going to post the photo from my friend, because it gives you a closeup look of a newly born fawn!

In the boxes this week expect cabbage, carrots, and our delicious cucumbers as well as a green kohlrabi, a variety of green and yellow patty pan squash, long two-toned squash, green or yellow zucchini, perhaps okra! and the last of the cauliflower, broccoli heads and florets or artwork. We did get 9/10 of an inch of rain on Sunday! Very nice!!

Rainbow Over Gardens!

More Mercy Drops arrived in the last few days. Not enough rain to dampen the soil under the trees, but some rain just the same! Robert has staked all of the tomatoes. Now the “tying up” as they grow in height begins. As you can see, it will be a while before we any tomatoes in our CSA Boxes.

Last Sunday evening we had a rainbow over our gardens! Rainbows are of course a good sign and a promise!! The gardens are pumping right now. So far, it looks as if it will be a good season for squash and cucumbers. In your CSA Boxes this week expect cabbage and cucumbers as well as a green kohlrabi, patty pan squash, perhaps a long two-toned squash*, perhaps green or yellow zucchini* (*these are just starting), red romaine, green romaine, endive, cauliflower, broccoli heads and florets or artwork.

And again, Happy Independence Day!!

Happy Fourth of July!

I took a walk through the gardens today so I could get photos of the patty pans growing in the soil. It is like a scavenger hunt trying to harvest these little treats amongst all of the greenery! Check out the yellow patty pan below. Note the blossom is still attached to the end opposite of the stem. Of course, the yellow patty pan varieties are easier to find than the little green varieties!

We have several varieties of cabbages growing. I do believe the first heads will appear in the CSA Boxes this next week. They will not be huge heads–for that we would have required more natural rainfall.

CSA Members will find kohlrabi, patty pan squash, perhaps a zucchini (they are just starting), red romaine, green romaine, endive, cauliflower, broccoli heads and florets or artwork and probably a cabbage!

Have a happy and safe fourth of July celebration while enjoying your fresh and nutritious local seasonal veggies!

We Have A Jumper!

Early one morning a large, pregnant, doe jumped the seven-foot deer fence and helped herself to an entire wave of our new variety of fluffy, green romaine–eating only the hearts from each plant. Fortunately, we have some that she did not manage to find before Robert chased her out! We feel she is the same “dear” deer who was in our garden one year ago. Last season Robert actually caught her crawling under the fence on her stomach via a drainage ditch. She is not afraid of us in the least! She has an acquired taste for our vegetables (specifically: lettuce, romaine & peas) and lurks nearby every day. This probably means she is “bedded down” on the property somewhere in the woods. Naturally, she soon will be teaching her newly arrived offspring the “Joys of Seasonal Gourmet Vegetables!” Wild animals are creative and resourceful. We do our best to out-smart them! The fence is shored up and stakes are planted in the drainage ditch.

Needless to say, we are getting to the end of the romaine and lettuce. We are attempting to harvest the cauliflower heads before the heat of the sun gives them a “blush” of color. In the boxes this week you will find kohlrabi, the first patty pan squash, perhaps a zucchini (they are just starting), red romaine, green romaine, cauliflower, broccoli heads and florets or artwork, lettuce, and endive.

It is hot and it is very, very dry! Thank goodness our wells provide drip irrigation which gives the crops a fighting chance.

Seasons Change!

We are moving into kohlrabi (red/green), broccoli, cauliflower this week along with the lettuce, kale (red/green), romaine (red/green), escarole, endive, and the big, tall, light green Tokyo Bicanna. The “red/green” note means it depends on which variety needs to be harvested that particular morning. You can see from this list the chois are missing. Some CSA Members will be happy, perhaps; but, others will be saddened. Seasons change!

Something else missing will be peas. Somehow the peas were planted in one of the gardens not surrounded by the deer fence this year–sorry. Unfortunately, the deer got into the peas two days ago and ate both them and the plants on which they were growing. When I say deer, I do not mean one or two . . . we have a hungry herd! And apparently, a herd with a taste for Seasonal Gourmet Vegetables!!

Broccoli heads and cauliflower heads will vary in size depending on where in the garden they were growing. Our gardens include a variety of different soils. Think of it like a patchwork quilt! It is just the way God made it and there is nothing that can be done to change this fact. If the plants were in a more clay-pack area, they will be smaller. Also, we have different varieties of broccoli planted. Some years one variety does better than another; so this, too, may account for differences.

This little head with the long stalk is a special variety called Artwork.

At some point we will also be taking a new variety of green romaine lettuce which we are trying out. It is fluffier–more round than tall. And leaves have little ridges.

It is hot and dry. We are not excited to hear about the high 80 and 90 degree temperatures heading our way. At least we have our underground, drip irrigation to help keep the plants growing!

Organic Broccoli

A word to the wise. This broccoli has not been sprayed, so keep an eagle-eye out for worms as it is impossible to keep all of the insects at bay! Cut the stalks and soak in cold water to get them to fall to the bottom of the sink. If you steam the broccoli and missed any . . . they will be in the bottom of your steamer! And yes, they can come in all sizes and be very difficult to see sometimes.

Also, I just posted my new Broccoli Quiche recipe under A-B in the recipes. Please remember we are CSA Farmers and not website experts. I realize my work is not as sophisticated as that of a professional web technician. But I do my best!

Introducing Broccoli Heads and Kohlrabi

In the veggie boxes this week our CSA Members will find the following veggies: 1 Joi choi, 1 Ching Chang, 1 Black Summer, Kale, Green Romaine, Escarole, Endive, head lettuce, Tokyo Bicana, broccoli, and Kolhrabi (green variety). As you can see, some of the crops have already ended and are being replaced with new items! Many of you will be unfamiliar with the Kohlrabi, so check out Veggie ID I and the recipes F -L .

Purple variety kohlrabi growing in the garden!

We have been getting rain in 1/2 inch amounts recently. This amount at one time is perfect as long as the sun shines afterwards. I trust you are enjoying your daily salad greens and being creative in planning them!

A variety of Choi with kale, strawberries, sliced almonds, and artichoke hearts make up this salad.

Make That Three!

Our CSA Members will find the following veggies in their boxes (bags) this week: Joi choi, the “second” choi (which is more squat and still nameless!), Ching Chang, Black Summer, Tatsoi, Kale, Asian Delight, Green Romaine, Escarole, Endive, head lettuce, and finally, an Asian (tallish, light, green which looks rather like a lettuce) called Tokyo Bicana.

Now a few more words on washing these greens. I do not like the term “soak” when it comes to greens. Save “soaking” for the broccoli which worms will love due to the lack of spraying of chemicals which makes them organic. Rinsing is the appropriate term to use. Put them in the sink and push them up and down with your hands to rinse off the soil. Then, place them onto trays and drain off the excess water, then put them into the Jumbo Hefty Bags while gently squeezing out all of air that you can without damaging the greens. (I really should get something for advertising these bags!!) Harvested greens do not like excess air or water. A couple of hours later, or the next day, open the corner of the bag and dump out the additional excess water which will inevitably accumulate. That’s it! Then, just chop, chop, chop and chew, chew, chew.

Greens will not last forever. Some people will like this! Other people are saddened when I say this. This is local, seasonal eating or what we call Seasonal Gourmet Vegetables!

Category: Uncategorized