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MEADOWLARK FARM SUMMER CSA NEWS 8-4-09 Dear community of meadowlark, This morning as we were harvesting, light rain was falling and then as the sky began to clear, a gorgeous full rainbow graced the hill behind the fields. What a pleasure and joy to behold! Slowly but surely the summer veggies begin. Eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini and beans and the first tomatoes too are in boxes today(tomatoes for premium shares only). It looks like the eggplant will be great this year, and if you aren't sure which is the eggplant in your box, they are the small and ong, thin purple and magenta with white stripes on top of your rainbow bag of beans. We typically grow these smaller varieties of eggplant because they taste great, none of the sometimes bitterness of large eggplant and they are manageable. Our favorite way to cook them is on the grill. Just slice in half lengthwise, brush with olive oil and tamari and then grill until tender and not too black. You can make a delicious reduction with balsamic vinegar that is dynamite drizzled on top. Give them a try and you might find that you really like eggplant! Boxes today include: garlic, ailsa craig sweet onion, carrots, rainbow beans that are purple, yellow and green, broccoli, rainbow potatoes,zucchini of various shape and size, the first cucumbers, eggplant, rainbow chard, lettuce mix and an herb pack of rosemary and a sprig of tarragon. Premiums receive the first tomatoes, a pack of cherry tomatoes, beets, cauliflower and cilantro. Blueberries from the Ware farm in Bear Lake! Certified Organic and delicious, we barter with Bernie and Sandee. They receive seed potatoes in the spring and we receive blueberries in August. Yum! Please notice that the salad bag in your box today is lettuce mix, without the spicier greens added in. Through the years we have specialized in a salad mix that to some, is too spicy, while others love the zing. We thought it might be nice to shake it up a little bit, make for a little bit of adventure in your salad making, and maybe make your kids happy! We would love to hear some feedback about this, what do you think about a lettuce only mix? Let us know at meadowlarks4@yahoo.org...... Today is Cy's birthday, and we celebrated with Indian food lovingly prepared by Rena and Rosie at NJ's grocery in Lake Leelanau. We had brought them some extra cauliflower and zucchini and they made us a delicious feast. For birthday dessert, the kids made Cy an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie in the shape of a heart. The rest of us munched on smaller versions. Yum! FRESH POTATO HOME FRIES -2 TBL extra virgin olive oil -3 medium garlic cloves, minced -2 TBL chopped rosemary -1 ½ # new potatoes, cut into consistent shapes -1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper -1/4 c. water -salt Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cayenne and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add potatoes and stir to coat with garlic and cayenne. Add water and salt to taste, cover and reduce heat and cook until potatoes are tender, 20 minutes or so(if pan dries out before potatoes are done, add a wee bit more water). Remove cover and raise heat to medium. Cook until liquid is evaporated and potatoes begin to brown. Taste and adjust for salt. Try different spice combos like cilantro and chile powder, or lemon zest and thyme. How about curry powder? Have a great week and enjoy your box of rainbow loveliness. Love, the meadowlarks
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