Life and today and the CSA
Really tired today and planning on focusing on some project work, so there may not be linketies, or they may be brief and late. Life is good, though. Bec and Jer hacked through the two inches of ice lining all our walkways, so we're no longer surrounded by an involuntary skating rink. We're petsitting for Bella, so I had a warm little snorting brick to sleep with. I got to see some friends this morning for a bit. Caleb and Grafton went shopping, and picked up our first delivery from the local CSA (they fit us in for an off-season membership, although I think officially new sign-ups don't happen 'til next season). So much yum!
Here's what we got (and yes, I'm shamelessly shilling for both them and the concept; I think it's a great way to support local agriculture -- if you're not a Clevelander, see if you've got something similar in your area!)
below is this week’s selection for the CSA.
This week we have a special treat from one of the cheesemakers. Susan at Mayfield Road Creamery is making us her fresh cream cheese. This isn’t your usual Philadelphia Cream Cheese…it is rich and buttery.
We also have a new treat from Stutzman’s farms. Monroe has developed a new, oats based granola product…that features more butter and some brown sugar. It is very nice…and aptly named Krispy Treat.
Emanual and Harvey at E&M produce will have some beautiful mixed greens from their greenhouse. The mixture will include tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, and red Russian kale. All will be young and exceptionally tender. You can eat these as salad greens or use them as braising greens. I recommend the salad greens!
This week we’ll try something new…a loaf of whole wheat bread from one of my Amish families. They bake this for me frequently when I pickup food, and I think it is very good. They grow their own organic, soft red winter wheat. They then mill the wheat berries for each batch of bread they bake. This provides more nutrients and a better flavor.
Rounding out this week’s package….ham steaks, kielbasa, maple syrup, cabbage, apples, and apple cider.
The entire week’s selection is listed below:
Winter CSA Wk 7 Selection
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage
- 1 ham steak (approx 1.5 lb)
- 1 pint maple syrup
- 1 loaf whole wheat bread
- 1 lb Krispy Treat granola
- ½ lb mixed greens
- 1 lb grassfed ground beef
- Quarter peck Melrose apples
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 head cabbage
In the coming weeks you’ll notice less produce. Right now, all of the “storage crops” are practically gone and the greenhouses are about 2 months late! Of the 5 greenhouses my producers have dedicated to me, only 1 has produced anything yet this year! Hopefully we’ll get some sunshine and the longer days in February should help this situation out.
The guy who runs the CSA is also the person who makes the deliveries (to several pick-up locations around the county), and Grafton said he was really friendly, remembered G's name right off the bat, and even tossed in a hunk of gouda as a welcome present.
Also, for those who are wondering, it looks from previous year listings that they offer vegan substitutions for the egg, dairy, and meat products in the standard bundles.
Here's what we got (and yes, I'm shamelessly shilling for both them and the concept; I think it's a great way to support local agriculture -- if you're not a Clevelander, see if you've got something similar in your area!)
below is this week’s selection for the CSA.
This week we have a special treat from one of the cheesemakers. Susan at Mayfield Road Creamery is making us her fresh cream cheese. This isn’t your usual Philadelphia Cream Cheese…it is rich and buttery.
We also have a new treat from Stutzman’s farms. Monroe has developed a new, oats based granola product…that features more butter and some brown sugar. It is very nice…and aptly named Krispy Treat.
Emanual and Harvey at E&M produce will have some beautiful mixed greens from their greenhouse. The mixture will include tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, and red Russian kale. All will be young and exceptionally tender. You can eat these as salad greens or use them as braising greens. I recommend the salad greens!
This week we’ll try something new…a loaf of whole wheat bread from one of my Amish families. They bake this for me frequently when I pickup food, and I think it is very good. They grow their own organic, soft red winter wheat. They then mill the wheat berries for each batch of bread they bake. This provides more nutrients and a better flavor.
Rounding out this week’s package….ham steaks, kielbasa, maple syrup, cabbage, apples, and apple cider.
The entire week’s selection is listed below:
Winter CSA Wk 7 Selection
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage
- 1 ham steak (approx 1.5 lb)
- 1 pint maple syrup
- 1 loaf whole wheat bread
- 1 lb Krispy Treat granola
- ½ lb mixed greens
- 1 lb grassfed ground beef
- Quarter peck Melrose apples
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 head cabbage
In the coming weeks you’ll notice less produce. Right now, all of the “storage crops” are practically gone and the greenhouses are about 2 months late! Of the 5 greenhouses my producers have dedicated to me, only 1 has produced anything yet this year! Hopefully we’ll get some sunshine and the longer days in February should help this situation out.
The guy who runs the CSA is also the person who makes the deliveries (to several pick-up locations around the county), and Grafton said he was really friendly, remembered G's name right off the bat, and even tossed in a hunk of gouda as a welcome present.
Also, for those who are wondering, it looks from previous year listings that they offer vegan substitutions for the egg, dairy, and meat products in the standard bundles.