Lancaster Farm Fresh: Week 5

Ok, here we go, here we go!  The blitz is here!  I'm on a roll!  Week 5 pictures, and go!

Oh, and due to my change in schedule, my friend, L., has stepped up to the plate and taken on the duty of CSA pick-up and picture-taking solo.  Let's give her a hand, she is superly duperly awesome and you're gonna love her pictures.

Full Share

1 Bunch Garlic Scapes from Coyote Run Organics

1 Bag Mixed Lettuce from Elm Tree Organics

1 Bunch White Kohlrabi from Friends Road Organics

1 Pint Strawberries from Hillside Organic Acres

1 Bunch Chioggia (Candy Stripe) Beets from Millwood Springs Organics

1 Bunch Mint Julep from Noble Herbs

1 Bunch Collard Greens from Orchard View Organics

1 Bag Broccoli from Organic Willow Acres

1 Bunch Green Kale from Organic Willow Acres

1 Bag Baby Hakurei Turnips from Autumn Blend Organics

1 Bunch Rhubarb from Little Brook Organics

1 Bunch White Scallions from Railroad Organics

Note: Mint and rhubarb were swapped out for more broccoli and portobello mushroom caps.  L. and I usually opt to swap out herbs, since the bunches are so huge and we're not much for drying them. 

Lancaster Farm Fresh: Week 4

I'm sorry, guys.  I really really suck.  I know I said I was going to blitz you, and then I didn't.  It was wrong of me.  I started a new job recently, and I'm still getting used to the new schedule, learning how to prioritize my time.  Anyway, don't let me bore you with details about how disorganized I am.  You're not here for that.  You're here for the vegetables, and I wouldn't want to disappoint.

Lest you think this is a picture of a full share, do not be fooled!  This is in fact half of a full share, which just makes it incredible how much vegetation we're getting from Lancaster.  I have been more than pleased with what we've been getting.  Split between two people, this is working out to be less than $14 each a week.  That's a steal, given that we're getting all organic vegetables.  Read on to see what exactly we received in our share in week 4.

Full Share

1 Head Green Romaine Lettuce from Riverview Organics

1 Bunch Green Kale from Eagle View Organics

1 Bag Arugula from Farmdale Organics

1 Bunch Pink Radishes from Friends Road Organics

1 Bunch Garlic Scapes from Misty Meadow Acres

1 Bunch Sage from Coyote Run Organics

1 Bunch Tatsoi from Hillside Organics

1 Bunch Fresh Sweet Onions from Liberty Branch Farm

1 Package Cremini (Baby Bella) Mushrooms from Mother Earth Organics

1 Bunch Cilantro from Noble Herbs

1 Pint Grape Tomatoes from Maple View Organics or Hillside Organic Acres 

Note:  Instead of grape tomatoes, we got strawberries, and we swapped the sage for another bunch of kale.  Yes, we've been getting a lot of kale!

Lancaster Farm Fresh: Week 3

I know, I know.  I took such a terribly long hiatus, without even telling you.  I'm so sorry.  My schedule changed some in these past few weeks, and it's taken me a while to catch up with everything.  Hopefully, I should be able to update this blog on a regular basis, but for now, bear with me as I'm about to blitz you with 3 weeks' worth of updates.

 Alright, let's not waste any time, and get this show on the road. Here's week 3's share list:

Full Share

1 Head Green Romaine Lettuce from Riverview Organics

1 Bunch Baby Sweet White Hakurei Turnips from Autumn Blend Organics

1 Bag Spinach from Elm Tree Organics

1 Bunch Red Scallions from Sweetaire Farm

1 Bunch Collard Greens from Orchard View Organics

1 Bunch Easter Egg Radishes from Windy Hollow Orgnaics

1 Package Shiitake Mushrooms from Mother Earth Organics

1 Head Red Leaf Lettuce from Railroad Organics

1 Package Portobello Mushroom Caps from Mother Earth Organics

1 Bunch Red Mustard Greens from Maple Lawn Organics

1 Bag Radishes from Maple Lawn Organics or Coyote Run Organics 

Lancaster Farm Fresh: Reader Photo and Pickled Baby Turnips

My friend, L., made a stir-fry with the broccoli, mushrooms, and asparagus we received with our share from week 2.  It's a riff off of mapo tofu, with ground beef and... without tofu.  She said the asaparagus was some of the best she's ever had.

And for the folks who are interested,  here's a photo of the pickled baby turnips that I made.

If you're interested in the kind of pickle press I used, here's a version sold by Amazon.  It's simply a plastic container that has a spring-loaded press incorporated into the lid.  I think it's rather pricey, and if you can get someone to bring one back for you from Japan, that's probably the better way to go.  You can also get the same effect by putting weight on your salted vegetables using a brick or a can sitting on top of a plate.

Lancaster Farm Fresh: Week 2

Well, I have to say, week 2 blew week 1 out of the water.  Our first haul ended up only being enough for about 2 dishes worth of food, and though the vegetables were delish, it was a little disappointing.  It had us thinking that we may have to supplement the CSA with other vegetables.  However, week 2 came in with guns blazing.  We probably doubled the amount we received the first week.

And so, without further ado, allow me to present our share list.

Full share

1 Bag Blue Oyster Mushrooms from T.O.G.
1 Bunch Baby Hakurei Turnips from Autumn Blend Organics
1 Bunch Green Kale from Autumn Blend Organics
1 Bunch Asparagus from Farmdale Organics or Coyote Run Organics
1 Bag Broccoli from Plum Hill Organics
1 Head Red Leaf Lettuce from Railroad Organics
1 Bunch White Scallions from Sunrise Ridge Organics
1 Bag Watercress from Elm Tree Organics
1 Head Bok Choy from Hillside Organics
1 Bunch Thyme from Noble Herbs

Note: This week, we swapped the gigantic bag of thyme that came in our box for another head of bok choy.  The one head we had would have been difficult to split and I already have dried thyme in my cupboard so I didn't see a need to dry some more.  I also didn't store anything according the instructions Lancaster sent, and somehow, they're still ok.  Fresh picked makes a difference!