Here’s what we’re harvesting and delivering throughout greater Austin this week to Blessing Falls CSA members. Members, April 6 you should receive your weekly email reminder with your specific delivery date and address verification.
Full share:
Broccoli, Kale, and Lettuce (double portions of each)
Swiss chard or spinach, Parsley, Thyme, Shallots
Cauliflower, Asparagus, 2 boxes of Strawberries
Half share:
Broccoli and Kale (double portions of each)
Lettuce, Swiss chard or spinach, Parsley, Thyme,
Update April 11 – Members receiving a half share can double their food by upgrading to a full share. Only $12 a week for the rest of the season. The harvest is expanding and we need your help in eating it all! Just let us know before Monday noon and you can start your upgrade that same week. And thanks for telling friends and neighbors about available shares.
As last week, the Strawberries are from Bernhardt’s Farm. Some of the asparagus is grown here at Blessing Falls and some at Bernhardt’s. Also remember the washing instructions we mentioned last week.
(Share contents may change slightly throughout the week depending upon harvest availability.)
Full Share Week 2 – Top: Lettuce Asparagus Shallots Chard Cauliflower Broccoli Thyme, Bottom: Parsley, Strawberries (boxed), 2 types of Kale
Meet Your Farmers:
Michael and Emily (Owners of Blessing Falls Garden) : Michael and I started gardening, soon after being married, with the hope that one day it could become a successful family business. Now, three years later, the garden has grown and so has our family! We have two cute kids, Lily (2 years) and John Mark (9 months) who keep us busy and entertained every day! Michael does all of our driving. He drives the tractor, tiller, lawn mower, and delivery truck! He also helps out with the planting, harvesting, spraying and any other odd jobs around the farm. His favorite thing to grow is tomatoes. I (Emily) make the plans for the garden, plant, harvest and package CSAs, weed, and take care of garden related research and communications. I also write your weekly email contents and enjoy making gift items for our Etsy Shop. My favorite thing to grow is… well, I can’t decide! We really enjoy growing food for you and thank you for supporting us in this gardening venture!
Blessing Falls Main Garden April 5, 2015. Broccoli with Kale and Lettuce in background
Blessing Falls Main Garden April 5, 2015. Lettuce (left), Cauliflower (right)
Nutritional fact:
“Your parents knew what was up when they told you to eat your broccoli. This verdant vegetable is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s reputed to benefit digestion, the cardiovascular system and the immune system, and to have anti-inflammatory and even cancer-preventing properties.” Read the rest of this interesting article on the incredible, nutritional benefits of broccoli!
Recipes
Remember the ideas from last week are useful with many of this week’s items. Here’s another that has long been one of our favorite family recipes and it tastes even better with home grown broccoli!
Broccoli and Bacon Salad:
2 heads broccoli, cut in bite-size pieces
5 slices bacon, cooked crisp
1/4 c. red onion, chopped fine
3/4 c. raisins
1/2 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
Dressing:
1 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tbl. white vinegar
In a large salad bowl, mix broccoli, bacon, onion, raisins, and cheese. In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Mix well and serve or chill a few hours before serving. Serves 8-10.
First week in CSA Shares, More in Coming Weeks . . . .
Blessing Falls Main Garden, April 5 2015. Cauliflower heads forming, should be ready for harvest soon.