Week 15 - End of an Era - Welcome to Fall!

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What's in the Box?

From The North Farm
Kale
Lettuce
Garlic
Brussel Sprouts
Fingerling Potatoes
Onion
Cherry Tomatoes
Slicing Tomatoes
​Carrots

From Bean Pole Farm
Sage or​ Oregano

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Notes From the Field

​Even though the equinox may not have felt autumnal this past weekend with our blistering 90 weather here at the North Farm, our hoophouse finally looks like summer has said its goodbyes. With that, we have moved on into our winter and fall hoophouse crops, like we had mentioned in Week 13's newsletter; lots of leafy greens and some roots to get us through the chilly months ahead.
 
Summer fruits like tomatoes and peppers are some of my favorite crops, and seeing them go is always an important closing chapter for the farms' main growing season. And while we have the luxury to purchase tomatoes even in the depths of winter (albeit from somewhere much warmer), they never quite taste the same as our beautiful northern tomatoes do in the height of the season. One of the important experiences of the CSA model is the illustration of crop changes throughout a given growing season, and the immense diversity of crops we can grow this far north. Some crops, like our lettuces, kales, and spinach, seem to withstand a wide range of growing conditions; while things like our cucumbers make their debut only in the warmer months. The seasonal changes allow us to savor each crop as it comes and goes, to look forward to the next season, new crops, and new flavors to mark the passage of time with.
 
As we draw towards the closing of the season, we'll be busier than ever bringing in our storage crops, prepping the farm for winter, and planning for next year. This was certainly a challenging year for myself as a new farmer to the area and to this farm; it has been a great season of learning, experiencing the ups and downs of Mother Nature's unpredictability, and the joys of each new vegetable as I see it grow from sowing to harvest. With each year, we learn more and work hard to bring you all the beautiful CSA boxes you've received, and your support and feedback has been invaluable in allowing us to continue to provide food for the Central UP community. If you have any additional feedback or comments, please click on the link below to let us know!
 
Allison Stawara
Assistant Production Manager 

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​Recipes and Resources

​Bacon-Kale Mac n Cheese

•  If steamed kale doesn't appeal to you...sneak it into your mac n cheese! Even though it doesn't feel like cool weather yet, this dish is warming and hearty.

 
Smashed Fingerling Potatoes with Jalapenos

• Still have a hot pepper rolling around in the bottom of your produce drawer? Toss it in with your red, white and blue fingerlings! Removing the seeds from the pepper will also bring the heat down.

 
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cabbage

• What better way to pair Brussels than with their big sister, cabbage! Substitute the pine nuts with almonds or walnuts instead, and enjoy a delicious roasted salad. 

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​Featured Item

Brussels Sprouts
​One of the whackiest and most delicious of the brassica family, Brussels sprouts are also one of our longest growing crops throughout the season. Planted in May, these giants take their time, and we can finally dig into them in the fall weather; the variety we chose this year, Gustus, takes a whopping 99 days to mature! Like other crops in it's family, Brussels prefer the cooler temperatures, which made this season a great year for us. It's always worth the wait as the season progresses, and Brussels are one of the brassicas that really only shine in the fall, due to their long growing season. As you're preparing yours, you've probably noticed their similarity in shape and flavor to cabbage; biologically speaking, Brussels are a specific type of cabbage that makes up the Gemmifera group of cabbages. While they may take a little more prep than your typical cabbage, their sweetness certainly makes up for it! Roasting is my favorite way to prep Brussels, as they start to caramelize in the oven, and still retain their texture. Sweet or savory, there are dozens of great recipes that capture the essence of this exciting fall crop. 

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​Storage Recommendations

In the Fridge:
Kale - bagged
Lettuce - bagged
​Carrots - bagged
Brussel Sprouts

​On the Counter:
Fingerling Potatoes
Onion
Garlic
Cherry Tomatoes
Slicing Tomatoes

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Have feedback? Let us know what you think!