Summer 2022 CSA - Week of September 26th
Full share: Chard, arugula, aronia berries, carrots, 3 celeriac, spaghetti squash, 2 garlic, red long of tropea onions, 4 tomatoes, thyme
Half share: arugula, aronia berries, carrots, spaghetti squash, red long of tropea onions, 3 tomatoes, broccoli
Hello!
It’s another busy morning here at the farm - the cider press is running in the market stand, the hay fort is newly constructed and ready to be climbed, and the farm school kids are getting to know the farm from the creek to the swings outside Matt and Jacy’s house. This week and last we’ve been picking all of the aronia berries, trimming the last of the garlic, harvesting gourds and winter squash and generally prepping for fall and with it, Fall Festival! Starting this Friday, we’re open for all of the fall festival activities Friday-Sunday. To keep traffic to a minimum, we ask that you sign up for a time slot on our website. This will help make a better experience for all and makes sure that everyone will get the cider and pumpkins they came for.
A few new faces in CSA this week to talk about.
Celeriac: “A variety of celery with small stalks and grown for its root. The skin needs to be peeled before cooking or eating. It has a mild celery flavor with a hint of turnip, and can be used in place of (or mixed with) potatoes for mashed or gratins. Thinly sliced, it can be served raw, tossed with mayonnaise for the traditional French remoulade, a variant on coleslaw” (Eating with the Seasons).
Aronia berries: All of CSA is receiving a bag of aronia berries this week! Aronia berries are a native plant and a “Native American superfruit”. As the highest known antioxidant fruit, aronia berries are incredible for fighting inflammation and bacteria while improving overall health. Somewhat tart and astringent, most don’t snack on the berries alone. But added to pancakes, oatmeal, chili, or cooked down with some sugar and used as a syrup, they’re great. Here are a few recipes to try and some more information about their restorative properties:
Spaghetti squash: “One of the few winter squash that merits special non baked handling. Can be briefly microwaved or steamed and the strands “forked” out. Very versatile in salad, mixed in statues, etc.” (Eating with the Seasons). I love using spaghetti squash in a peanut noodle inspired stir fry like this one . Bell peppers, mushrooms and tofu are a great addition!
Our farmer of the week is Will!
Hi farm friends! My name is Will and I’m a part of the 2022 vegetable harvest crew. It has been a jam packed summer full of long days playing in the soil and we are feeling the transition of the fall season as fields get plowed and cover crop gets seeded.
I grew up in the Bozeman/Livingston area and have fond memories of visiting farmer Pete at Rocky Creek Farm every fall. I can picture myself and fellow 4th grade classmates drinking freshly pressed cider, riding the tractor through the pumpkin patch, and climbing to the top of the hay bale tower. A decade and a handful of years has passed, and here I am, smelling the same familiar scents of fall on the farm, the sounds of Rocky Creek, the sights of young soon-to-be farmers choosing their favorite pumpkin and experiencing the magic of life on the farm.
I balance my work week with a few days on the farm and a couple at Yellowstone Coffee Roasters. My parents started the roasting company in the early 90s and have been supplying the community with fresh beans ever since. It has been a joy to share some of my knowledge of coffee as well as some favorite blends with my farm friends. For this weeks CSA, I want to remind us all to take a moment in our busy lives to slow down and enjoy the morning ritual, the routine of a local meal and thoughtful cup to start off the day. This weeks aronia berries sprinkled into a pancake, a freshly diced heirloom to throw in an omelette, or a bed of arugula for an overeasy egg. No matter how busy we are, there is always time to enjoy the first moments of every day, your local harvest, and your morning cup.
Be sure to grab a bag of Yellowstone Coffee Roasters beans next time you’re in the market stand.