Veggie CSA Week #1

Half Shares:

Lettuce - 1 head - $2.50
Kale - 1 bunch - $2.50
Cilantro - 1 bunch - $2.00
Bok Choy - 1 head - $2.00
Radishes - 1 bunch - $2.75
Broccoli Raab - 1 bunch - $3.00
Garlic - 2 - $1.50
TOTAL - $16.25

Full Shares:

Lettuce - 2 heads - $5.00
Kale - 1 bunch - $2.50
Bok Choy - 2 heads - $4.00
Cilantro - 1 bunch - $2.00
Radishes - 1 bunch - $2.75
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch - $3.00
Garlic - 2 - $1.50
Arugula - 1/4 pound - $2.50
Turnips - 1 bunch - $3.00
TOTAL - $26.75

Hello everyone and welcome to our 2011 CSA season! We've been working hard to get ready for deliveries, and we are excited about what we are offering this week. As you all know, we do grow strawberries, specifically for our CSA members (although we are known to have plenty for sale at market as well). Our strawberries are looking great, but they just are a little late in ripening. We spotted 2 (yes, TWO!) berries turning from white to red this morning, and there are plenty more on the way. So, unfortunately, no strawberries in your boxes this week, but I would say most definitely they will be there next week. YAY!

Spring in North Carolina means greens, and lots of them! This is by far my favorite time of year - lots of lettuce, kale, swiss chard (!!) arugula, and did I mention lettuce? So for the next few weeks, until we start seeing the fruits of summer, you will be getting a lot of greens in your boxes. We will try to keep it exciting and alternate between them. We are not very fancy, and just heat up a wok or skillet with some olive oil and garlic, then add a big pile of whatever greens we might have (kale, chard, bok choy... even turnip greens or beet greens, add the root too!) and sautee for a few minutes. Sometimes we add a little broth and/or soy sauce and/or vinegar to the pan too. If you like sausage, crumbling a little into the greens mix is always a yummy touch.

Half shares are receiving broccoli raab this week (full shares should be getting some soon). Since this might be a new one for a lot of you, I'm posting a recipe for it below. And always remember, if you have a great recipe you want to share, please email it to us (castlemainefarm@gmail.com) and I'll post it for the group to see.

Pasta with Broccoli Raab and Sausage (of course, if you don't like sausage, just leave it out...)

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta (any kind)
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 1 cup grated Parmesan (4 ounces)
• Kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute.
4. Add the broth and red pepper and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and simmer, covered, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Stir in the butter and Parmesan and cook, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Toss the pasta with the sausage mixture and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.

By Sara Quessenberry, September 2005