Winter CSA Newsletter Week #15, February 18 - 24, 2024 “A” week
tray of buckwheat lettuce shoots
Newsletter Table of Contents:
This Week’s Shares with Guides & Recipes- VEG, MES, EGG
Recipes - Shiitake Mushroom Ideas, Chicken Mushroom Marsala, Garlicky Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms, Reuben Sandwich, Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
Field News & Photos from the Week -
VEG SHARES
(Photo of FULL Share. See listings below to see which share size has what, how much, along with info, guides, recipes.)
FULL VEG SHARE:
Bill’s FERMENTED KRAUT - Store in fridge. This will keep several months and is chock full of healthy probiotics! Makes a great side dish, condiment with burgers or brats, or addition to your sprout salad! We each eat a spoonful every day.
BUCKWHEAT LETTUCE MICROGREENS (2 oz) - Buckwheat Lettuce is a microgreen and is gluten-free, despite its name. With a very mild flavor similar to lettuce, we find these are best used in fresh salads or added to sandwiches. These delicate greens have a shorter shelf life than pea or sunflower shoots and should be used within a week - a “1st Priority” vegetable. Store in their plastic container or bag in the refrigerator.
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS (¼ lb) - One of the world’s most popular edible mushrooms, the shiitake is loaded with rich, earthy flavor and goes great with almost everything! An easy way to use them is to simply add to a preheated pan with oil or butter, sauté until golden brown, season to taste, and serve as a side dish, or as a topper for eggs, mashed potatoes, crunchy salads, sandwiches, and, of course, steaks. They frequently have less dirt than some other mushroom varieties because they grow on rotting wooden logs and trees. Prep: Either shake off or, if you prefer, give mushrooms a quick rinse before cooking. Tips for cooking: Keep smaller shiitake mushrooms completely whole, and slice the larger mushroom caps into halves. Many say to remove the stems of the shiitake mushrooms before slicing as they have a tougher texture BUT they can be used if cut small. (from Mooshrooms)
CARROTS (1 lb) - Store the roots dry and unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Will keep this way for months. Guide & Recipes (from Red Door Family Farm)
YELLOW ONION (1 lb) - Ready to be used now or later, this almost “cured” or dried onion should be stored on your counter or in your pantry out of direct sunlight. If you don’t use it in the next week, it’ll cure more and store longer.
to desired size and place in Ziplock bag. Remove all the air and seal. It helps to freeze them in 2-3 cup increments. from Gwenyn Hill Farm
DAIKON RADISHES (1 lb) - Daikons are generally milder than regular table radishes. Store dry in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for weeks - these are long keepers!. Radishes are also delicious roasted - our favorite way to eat them - because it takes out their heat and makes them sweeter! Try also sliced in rounds or matchsticks with your favorite dip or hummus. Adds crunch and great flavor to any stir fry recipe. Guide & Recipes
BEETS (1 lb) - Store in the fridge in a plastic bag for up to 2 months. (from our farm and Red Door Family Farm) Guide & Recipes
HALF VEG SHARE: (see Full VEG Shares above⬆ for info on each item)
Bill’s FERMENTED KRAUT
BUCKWHEAT LETTUCE MICROGREENS (1.5 oz)
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS (¼ lb)
CARROTS (1 lb)
YELLOW ONION (1 lb)
BEETS (1 lb)
OPTIONAL ITEMS: for FULL & HALF Shares
TETSUKABUTO WINTER SQUASH - A delicious cross between Butternut & Kabocha squashes, this variety was bred in Japan during the middle of last century. The translation of the Japanese name is “iron helmet,” after the famed hardness of its rind. It stores well - up to 6 months. And is fabled to just get better and better over time - we know this to be true! Store as you would any other winter squash. Guide & Recipes
MES SHARES
Week 3 of the rotation so MES is for Mazomanie, Dianne Dr, A week EOW Homes, Jacob's Way, Muscoda area, SGFM
FULL: 1 Chicken, 1 lb Ground Beef, 2 Dozen Eggs
HALF: 1 Chicken 1 Dozen Eggs
EGG SHARE
WEEKLY = 1 Dozen
BIWEEKLY = 1 Dozen
PREPARED FOOD & RECIPES:
Simple yet Delicious Shiitake Ideas
An easy way to use shiitake mushrooms is to add them to a preheated pan with oil or butter, sauté until golden brown, season to taste, and serve as a side dish, or as a topper for eggs, mashed potatoes, crunchy salads, sandwiches, and, of course, steaks.
Or add tamari or soy sauce, fresh lime juice, sriracha hot sauce (or a similar hot sauce), sea salt, and sesame oil. Garnish with sliced green onion. Serve these on their own as a side or if you want them as a main dish, serve over brown rice, cauliflower rice, or basmati rice.
Field News & Photos:
This past weekend was our long family weekend get away with my side of the family.
We started this tradition on the first anniversary of my dad's unexpected death from suicide ten years ago. We were all dreading that day, and then someone had the idea to spend the time together ensconced away from our regular lives.
It ended up being a wonderful time celebrating each other and our relationships.
Besides hanging out, playing games, taking walks, and heated card games, there was also lots of time for catching up over food prep and kitchen clean up. Fortunately we were able to keep misunderstandings to a bare minimum, and decided to do it every year.
It felt like the right thing to do and thankfully still does!
Our Annual Cabin Getaway Over the Years
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