Thursday, June 4, 2009

Pick up your first shares - this Sunday, June 7!

Finally it's time for the first shares! I would say that I can't believe it's already here, but it feels like I've been preparing for it for a year... probably because I have been.
The weather has been great this spring, - just enough rain at just the right times. Everything in the garden looks lush and green, and the transplants and seedlings are off to a healthy start.


totes:
Below is a pic of the *awesome* tote bags I'll be using to pack and distribute your veggies this season, and they were quite the locally made cooperative effort. The fabulous logo was designed by my very talented friend Ellen Goodman, and the bags themselves were each hand-made and screen printed by yet another talented and lovely friend, Chrissy Lambrou.
Chrissy launched her business, PristineSewing, last fall at Handmade Arcade and has been sewing up a storm ever since. She's running a bit low on inventory at the moment (perhaps because she's been slaving away on my tote bags) but please visit her website and etsy shop at http://pristinesewing.com/
Every week you will return the empty tote bag that you received the week before, as I will use these all season long. But I fully expect people to fall in love with them and want to have one of their very own - if this is the case or if you have any other handbag/messenger bag/tote bag needs, please contact Chrissy and I'm sure she will be more than happy to take orders.


share items/swapping:
Below is a list what you can expect in your shares this week! Amounts will vary depending on whether your share size is full or partial. I will post these lists every week so you will know what to expect. If you see an item (or items) on the list that you would like to swap out in order to get more of one thing or less or none of another, let me know before Sunday and I can make that change.
The supplemental item this week is some amazing feta cheese from Lori at Hidden Hills Dairy in Central PA (http://www.hiddenhillsdairy.com/):
"Bolton" means round hill and we’ve got plenty of those. This is our Greek style feta, full flavored, and packed in light brine. Soak in cold water for a time if you prefer a less salty cheese. Our Boltonfeta was awarded a bronze medal in the 2008 World Jersey Cheese Awards held in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK
Enjoy it on a fresh spring salad, mixed with herbs as a spread, or substituted for another cheese in your favorite recipe.

Sunday 6/7:
buttercrunch head lettuce, green bib
buttercrunch head lettuce, speckles
red fire leaf lettuce
lettuce cutting mix
radish, 1 bunch (mix of amethyst, French breakfast, and easter egg mix)
1 bunch mint
1 bunch mixed herbs (including dill, cilantro, savory, chives)
1/4 lb Boltonfeta cheese from Hidden Hills Dairy

recipes:
Each week I'll also provide some recipe suggestions, in case you're at a loss as to what to do with your goodies. Feel free to ask me any time for more suggestions or recipe ideas.
(I don't tend to cook with precision, so many of the quantities are approximates)

One of my favorite quick lunches from the garden this spring has been herb butter, lettuce, and radish sandwiches. Don't be frightened - if the French can do it, so can you.

lettuce and radish sandwich: soften 1 stick butter, chop approx 1/2 - 3/4 c various herbs, pinch of salt and pepper, mix. spread the butter on your favorite sandwich bread, layer lettuce and sliced radish. Refrigerate rest of butter for future sandwiches (or use as an ingredient in your favorite fish, chicken or pasta dish)

If you want to pile some of that great feta on a bed of lettuce and have at it, here's one of my favorite fast vinaigrettes
lemon herb vinaigrette:
1 Tbps lemon juice, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, salt and pepper, handful of chopped fresh herbs, mix.

We always have an abundance of mint in summer and my husband drinks lemonade by the gallon, so I like to snazz it up a bit.

mint lemonade: 1 C lemon juice plus a bit extra, slightly less than 1 C sugar (I use 1/2 cup agave syrup & 1/4 c honey instead of sugar), a handful of mint sprigs, 2 qts water. Shake vigorously to mix. (Drink as-is or mix with whiskey - which happens to be my favorite summer drink)

I hope you enjoy!