Farm News – June 15, 2020
Hello everyone, pass the peas, please! As you may already know from my recent request for volunteers, the pea season has begun. Having been raised on canned vegetables, the first time I tasted fresh peas was a revelation. Who knew how sweet and delicious they were; bearing no resemblance to the gray balls of mush to which I was accustomed. Much like tomatoes, the season for these delicacies is far too short. They do not tolerate hot weather, and since spring only seems to last a few weeks anymore, they will be with us for 3 or 4 weeks. We have English or shell peas, snow and sugar snap, which both have edible pods. This week we will have mostly shell peas and as availability permits, we will rotate through the various varieties so that everyone will receive some of each type.
We also have spinach for you this week, which detests the heat almost as much as the peas. We expect to have spinach in the shares for the next 2 or 3 weeks. Unlike the peas however the spinach will make reprise appearance in the fall. The zucchini and summer squash have begun to produce but are not yet in full swing. We think we may have enough for everyone to enjoy a few this round; if not we will make sure that all groups receive some over the next 2 weeks. After that they will be abundant for much of the season.
For our root vegetable this week we are featuring Hakurei salad turnips. These sweet, ping-pong ball sized wonders are meant to be eaten raw in salads but can also be cooked. They come with mild tasting tops which are quite palatable and nutritious – cut into ribbons and mixed in salad or braised.
We also have garlic scapes for you this week- these are the flower tops of the garlic plant and can be grilled, pickled or chopped finely and sautéed. You may also find a recipe for pesto on the internet.
The share for this week will be: Lettuce, peas, spinach, garlic scapes, either kale, tatsoi, or arugula, summer squash, and salad turnips. Premium members will also receive escarole.
Enjoy! Be well, Farmer John
