Community Supported Agriculture Newsletter

HAWTHORNE VALLEY FARM

327 Route 21C                Ghent NY 12075     518-672-4465 www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org

No. 14                                                                                                                      September 8, 2005


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

 

 

Looking Forward to

Next Week

 

Anticipated for September 15th

§         Beets for some

§         Broccoli for some

§         Eggplants for some

§         Leeks

§         Lettuce

§         Parsley

§         Potatoes

§         Rainbow chard

§         Turnips for some

 

 

 

 

Dante Hess  arrived here in the early spring and has been working primarily in the garden.  He has also started driving the CSA truck to deliver the shares to all our members. Dante comes to us from the Fellowship in Spring Valley; he is a former Hawthorne Valley School student.

 

Dear CSA members:

 

It is during the months of August and September that the hard work of spring and summer comes fully to fruition. It is now that the bounty of the earth shows itself in full bloom. As a farmer at this time of year I like to look back through the summer and spring and think about the journey that each plant took to bring us the food we all enjoy.

 

It amazes me to think all the way back to the cold month of February when, protected by the worm shell of a green house, hundreds of little seeds were placed by hand into the soil. Those seeds after some time and careful watering, sprouted into tiny seedlings, but stayed within the greenhouse for yet another month or two. Then with the help of many different people those little seedlings, that are not so little anymore, get placed carefully into the garden. All spring and all summer we water, weed and watch those plants as they grow ever stronger and bigger until only now in late August and September do we harvest an onion or a leek.

 

This long journey never ceases to fill me with wonder. Summer is drawing to a close, the days are becoming shorter and cooler, and of course the light is changing. It is during this time that we all can enjoy the fruits of the summer labor. It will not be long now till the air will turn cold and frost will coat the ground.

 

It is with great joy that I have come to join the team here at Hawthorne Valley and I look forward to many seasons to come. Perhaps I will see you at your pickup site in the next few weeks to come.

 

 Dante

 

Tabbouleh

 

½ cup bulgur

1 cup boiling water

1 cup finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

3 medium scallions, finely chopped

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely diced

¼ cup finely chopped fresh mint

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and freshly ground pepper

3 Tablespoons olive oil

2 tomatoes, chopped

 

In a bowl, cover the bulgur with boiling water and let stand for 1 hour.  Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.  Stir in the parsley, scallions, cucumber, and mint. 

 

In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice with the cumin, a ½ teaspoon of salt, and pinch of pepper.  Whisk in the oil.  Stir the dressing into the bulgur.  Cover and let stand at room temperature for 2 to 5 hours to allow the flavors to blend. 

 

When ready to serve, add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss to combine.  Makes 4 Servings.

 


Sesame Cucumber Salad

"This salad is great with rice and grilled teriyaki chicken or a peanut noodle dish." -Greta Snyder

2 medium cucumbers, seeds removed

¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1  cup red bell pepper strips
2  tablespoons rice vinegar
2  teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
2  teaspoons dark sesame oil
¼  teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼  teaspoon black pepper

Cut cucumber cut into 2-inch julienne (about 1 ¾ cups). Place cucumber in a colander; sprinkle with salt. Toss well. Drain for 20 minutes. Combine cucumber and bell pepper in a medium bowl.

Combine vinegar, ginger, and oil, stirring with a whisk. Pour over cucumber mixture; toss gently to coat. Stir in crushed red pepper and black pepper.   Yield: 5 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)

Greta Snyder for Cooking Light, AUGUST 2005

Toasted Pita with Mint, Cucumber, & Tomato Salad


Put late-summer tomatoes to good use in this bright and herby salad. For even more color, leave the cucumber unpeeled--English cucumber skin is thin enough to be palatable. Make this dish close to serving time so it doesn't become watery.

DRESSING

1/4  cup fresh lemon juice
2  tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2  teaspoon salt
1/4  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2  garlic cloves, minced

SALAD

3 3/4   cups chopped tomato (about 3 medium)
1 1/2  cups chopped, peeled, and seeded cucumber
1/3  cup thinly sliced green onions
1/3  cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4  cup chopped fresh mint
1  tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro


3 (6-inch) pitas, cut into 8 wedges

Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine dressing ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add salad ingredients; toss well.  Arrange pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 6 minutes or until golden. Serve with salad.   Makes 8 servings

Joanne Weir for Cooking Light,

September 2005