I was almost sad this week when I went to pick up my CSA share this week and there was only a small bag of salad greens. Quite the change from a bag of spinach, a pound of greens, and two heads of lettuce! That, and the large zucchini signal that summer is indeed marching on.
This week’s Groundswell Community Farm CSA Share included:
3 summer squash or zucchini
1 kohlrabi
3 cucumbers
1 onion
Fennel or carrots
1 bunch beets
1 green garlic
1 cilantro
1 head broccoli
1 bunch chard
1 Chinese cabbage or 10 leaves kale
1 bag basil
1 bag greens
1 tomato or pepper
The choices are always a difficult decision. Summer squash or zucchini? I took two summer squash and a big zucchini. They are both great in a stir fry or even just raw with hummus.
Fennel or carrots? This was a toughie! I chose the fennel, because it is simply stunning. The bulb is excellent roasted along with other summer vegetables, and the stalky part is a flavorful addition to egg salad. The fronds can be added to just about anything. It has the most delicious licorice-like scent.
There was no contest between the Chinese cabbage and the kale. Sorry, kale. Chinese cabbage makes THE BEST Asian salad (the kind with the chow mein noodles). You can also use the upper part like salad and the lower, stalkier part like cabbage. Or just use in any recipe that calls for cabbage.
Tomato or pepper? I chose a hot pepper, thinking it would make a great addition to a stir fry of the summer squash, zucchini, soy sauce and brown sugar.
I also realized that it’s my favorite time of year for juicing! A simple but tasty recipe is one cucumber, one beet (with top attached), and one green apple.
If you’d like to support local farms, consider joining a CSA! Our sponsor, Groundswell Community Farm, still has shares available. Or you can visit them this Saturday at these farmers markets:
Fulton St. Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8am to ~1:30pm
@ the north end of the market
1147 East Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The market is located a half block west of the corner of Fulton and Fuller Streets east of downtown. We are the end stall on the North end, near Fountain St.
Holland Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 8am to ~1:30pm
May 17th to November
150 W. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423
Mid-May through November or December
Wednesdays from June through October
We are usually near the west end of the market, about 8 stalls in on the north side of the aisle.
South Haven Farm Market
Saturdays, 8am – 2pm
Mid-May to mid-October
546 Phoenix St, S Haven, MI 49090
Grand Haven Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8am-1pm
Mid-May – late October
301 N Harbor Dr, GH, MI 49417
What vegetables are you enjoying these days? Comment below!
Whaddaya think?