THE BEET: Volume 13, Issue 12
THE BEET : VOLUME 13, ISSUE 12
In this week’s BEET:
- A note from the CHCSA
- This week's share
- Letter from Ted
- Milk Not Jails Order form
- Recipes
CSA Pickup Today 5-7:30pm
PS 56 at Gates and Downing (enter on Downing)
Just a Note:
Dear Clinton Hill CSA members, Thanks for your patience with last week's truck breakdown. You'll be glad to hear that Ted will be extending the CSA season one additional week in November to make up for last week. And read his excellent letter, below, about what exactly happened, and why he doesn't expect it to happen again. Meanwhile, don't forget to sign up for your volunteer hours--we're especially in need of volunteers on the early shift! Many thanks, your CSA core
This Week's Share
- Parsley
- Loads of Tomatoes! (Big ones and quarts of little ones)
- Redleaf Lettuce
- Green Romaine Lettuce
- Sweet Peppers
- Eggplant
- Yellow ‘Candy’ Onions
- Sweet Corn or French Breakfast Radishes and Cucumbers or Squashes
A Letter From Ted
As most of you know, our delivery truck broke down after making its first delivery in Manhattan last week. My sincere apologies for the inconvenience it no doubt caused. A small rusty hose leading from power steering fluid reservoir to power steering pump dropped us to our knees. It was maddening that it took six hours to replace it, but we were at the mercy of our truck leasing company and its sluggish truck rescue protocol. Your CSA coordinators will share with you how we intend to make up for your lost week (as this varies by site). Take heart knowing that we donated the tomatoes and greens that would have otherwise been lost to the local Presbyterian Church food pantry. I take solace in the knowledge that this is the first time such a thing has happened in the 14 years we’ve been delivering CSA shares to NYC. Our brand new truck should arrive soon (I just signed a lease with Penske Trucks).
Next week’s vegetable share will include lettuce, tomatoes, chiles, cilantro, sweet peppers, sweet corn or beans, red potatoes, your choice of bok choy or ‘Yukina Savoy,’ and carrots. I’m afraid that ‘Basil Downy Mildew’ has destroyed our basil crop just as it was entering the peak of its production. It’s a relatively new problem, and one that, so far, organic growers of basil can’t do anything about. As we enter the second half of our delivery season, expect more potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, winter squashes and cool-weather greens to be in your shares.
The fruit share will include what I believe to be the last of our watermelons (and cantaloupes). One or two sites may get a very small melon, a tease, really, in which case you’ll also get some plums. Peaches will be coming from Yonder Farm next week.
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us last weekend – it was great to see you!
Have a great week, Ted
Milk Not Jails Order Form
Place an order today for a special, one-time delivery of any of our dairy products to your CSA. In addition to your dairy share items, Milk Not Jails offers greek and flavored yogurts, kefir, cheese and more from the seven family farms we serve.
This month stock up on Ronnybrook yogurt drinks for the school season - Special Discount on Mango and Strawberry yogurt drinks only $2.00 this month so you can send your family off to school with the protein they need to excel!
Deadline to place your order is Tuesday, September 2nd at 8pm. Place your order here, and we'll deliver your farm-fresh dairy to your CSA pick-up the week of September 9th. Enjoy beautiful cheeses and ferments you cannot find anywhere else in NYC! And this month we're excited to have some new items from Tonjes Dairy, home to our amazing whole milk. We'll be adding more items throughout the season, so please let us know what your hungry for and we'll work with our dairy farmer network to find it!
Contact us at milknotjails@gmail.com or (917) 719-6455 with any questions.
Thanks,
The Milk Not Jails Team
RECIPES
TOMATO SEASON IS HERE!! A few ideas about what to do with all your tomatoes:
Classic Tomato and Cheddar Pie - a delectable taste of the South
A sweet & Juicy side dish - Tomato and Corn Salad
Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce - perfect for canning, or storing in your freezer for the upcoming winter, I have done this in the past, and it's the perfect thing to have on a cold winter night.
Easy Pico de Gallo - a perfect snack or addition to any brunch, taco night, or fiesta.
Ever notice that the tomatoes that you see at your CSA delivery aren't quite as perfect looking as the tomatoes you see at the grocery store? Celebrate that our farmers are focused on taste and not beauty- cracked or weirdly shaped tomatoes are perfect for salsa, salads or sauce. To learn more about what usually happens to ugly tomatoes check out this article on fruit and veggie beauty standards.
BUT- to see what AMAZING things happen to "ugly vegetables" in France- watch this AWESOME VIDEO! It's for the "Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables." I can't wait until whole foods starts doing this!