Getting right into it, something we are very passionate about here on the farm is supporting our pollinators. As the farm grows we are planting as many things in as many places to help increase our bee population (and bonus make the farm look beautiful). Karen, our flower farmer (who also keeps the bees), is hard at work maintaining the flower crops for not only wholesale production but to create a habitat to attract whatever populations we can. You'll see below that this year we had our first Monarch to our knowledge, something that she has been working very hard at!!
While we have a lot of specified areas for these pollinators we also let certain things go to flower in the fields to add that much more habitat and pollination amongst our crops. One of my favorite things to let flower is dill. Dill not only smells and tastes incredible but it has the prettiest flowers (see above). We grow dill for you as well as our wholesale accounts and we also sell the flowers–but that is just a bonus! I love putting flowering dill in my pickles, butter or salads for a sweet and pretty component.
The honey that is available from our CSA Farm Store is honey produced by our bees right here on our farm from the first harvest of the year. If you try multiple honeys over the course of the year you will see the difference in flavor and color of the honey itself. From the clover to blueberries to tomatoes and other crops, the different plants change the honey that is produced. Such a fantastic way to further enjoy the seasonality of life!
Also, THANK YOU for everyone returning their boxes and rags, it is SO appreciated!! Only about 30 every week aren't being returned, which makes us very impressed with ya'll!!
Finally, have a wonderful holiday weekend. We'll be out on the farm harvesting on 4th of July but we'll make sure to celebrate!!
Jen
MUSTARD BUNCH: Everyone received different mustard types, mostly a mix of several varieties. A DISCLAIMER they can be a bit spicy (akin to wasabi or horseradish which are related) during the summer so if you don't want the heat I would recommend cooking them in the same manner you would a braising mix. Yum! Some of the varieties in the bunches are not spicy at all so a taste test can be fun.
DILL (+ dill flower): As I wrote above, a delicious and beneficial herb! Dill is great in a potato salad, in pickles, with salmon and capers, on a bagel with cream cheese and cucumbers and so much more! I added a flower just for fun. They wilt fast so I hope they were able to survive the CSA delivery route.
NEW POTATOES: YAY! In future shares you will receive an even bigger share of potatoes but this was our first dig. The skins are a little rough (we are experimenting with our potato digger) but it has no effect on the flavor. New potatoes are the young guys right after the plants have stopped flowering and before the skins are cured (which is why you have to be super gentle with them. The two varieties we have sent out are Huckleberry Gold (purple) and Rose Gold (pink as in photo). New potatoes are known for their sweeter flavor and tender skins. Crispy skin and tender potato? Yes please! Here is a great page with some amazing recipes (new potatoes with dill butter!) from Epicurious.
SUMMER SQUASH MIX: Some people get patty pans, some people get variegated zucchini, some people get HUGE Italian tromba d'albegna squash. All are fun and will get rotated through. The trombos bruise easily so if they are a little scuffed up don't worry about it, they are super tender and really tasty (chefs love em).
CABBAGE (Large only): Cabbage!! A mix of purple and green varieties. They almost didn't fit in the boxes!! Make some kraut or slaw for the holiday weekend. If you can't use your whole gigantic cabbage they store super well in the fridge.
CUCUMBER (Large only): Socrates! If you have a bit of scaring on your cukes, those are from cucumber beetles when the cukes are just wee lil babes. Another reason to support beneficial insects that predate on pests like these beetles. The cuke is still perfectly wonderful and crisp, just a little less "pretty" by industry food standards.
BLUEBERRIES (Large only): Hurray! Such a great crop this year.
BASIL (Large only): Pesto time!