CSA Report: Red Earth Farm

Monday, June 23, 2008

Thursday’s box, the third from Red Earth Farm CSA included a pint of snap peas, summer squash, zucchini, Red Tropea onions, a bunch of swiss chard, a bunch of broccoli and a few extras. I don’t know if the person packing the boxes made a mistake or if they were trying to get rid of some extra produce, but a bonus bunch of dandelion greens and a bunch of bok choi was in with the rest of my share.

I was sick for a few days last week so I still had a ton of vegetables from the last box to plow through. I’ve had to institute a first in first out system, labeling the produce and keeping a list on the refrigerator door so I know what to use first. So far it’s working pretty well. That means I’ve actually been consistent and remembered to cross things off as I go.

We’ve eaten a few good local meals with the veggies the past few week: grilled t-bone steaks from Meadow Run Farm with stir fried bok choi, a huge stir fry with green onions, snap peas, summer squash and baby bok choi over rice noodles, a zucchini and green onion frittata, zucchini and bacon fritters, and panini with roast beef and local cheddar from Oak Shade, caramelized onions and sautéed swiss chard.  And I finally found a way to enjoy radishes- thinly sliced on buttered baguettes.

My husband who is not much of a cook if a grill is not involved has fully embraced the eat local movement. Even though it’s not in season I picked up some corn at the supermarket for my 2-year-old son. I served it with the paninis last night, knowing my son isn’t a big lover of sandwiches. My husband saw the shucked corn on the counter and asked where it was from. When I said, “I don’t know. I just got it for Sam at the supermarket,” he replied, “It’s not local? I turn my nose up at your corn.”