Winter 2022 CSA - Week of January 2nd

Full: Kale, lettuce, micros, carrots, watermelon radish, 2 sugar dumpling squash, dried herb mix

Half: Kale, lettuce, carrots, watermelon radish, 1 sugar dumpling squash, dried herb mix

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a jubilant New Year’s and an easy start to 2023. Regardless of what the past year may have brought, the reset that comes with changing that last little number on the date is always a welcome one. One of the things that I like best about farming is the inherently seasonal nature of the work. Long summer days give way to shorter, cooler fall days, until winter hits and freezing temperatures bring about a necessary moment of pause — or at least a slowing down. It’s a built-in and non-negotiable time for reflection. 

We look back on the summer and plan for the spring, giving our bodies and minds a bit of well-deserved rest before we start it all over again. I think the tangibility of transitions in the farming world has vastly expanded my ability to weather transitions in other aspects of my life, and for that I am very grateful. So cheers to a new year full of organic vegetables, Montana seasons, and the beautiful community that sustains and supports our farm!

Notes and reminders: 

  • Winter CSA goes through the month of January. After this week, there are 3 more pickups. 

  • The new year for Whole Farm CSA begins the first week of February. Jacy and Matt will send out a notice about 2023 WFCSA in the next 2 weeks.

  • Eggs are done for WFCSA but we do have them available for sale in the market stand. $4 for a half dozen and $8 for a full.

  • The nordic trail is open with variable conditions. All are welcome to come and ski during daylight hours! It’s roughly 3.5 miles on mostly flat terrain and takes you around the whole farm and loops back to the market stand. $5 suggested donation, cash or Venmo accepted. Thanks!

Produce and Recipes:

Carrots: If I had to choose a GVB “signature crop” our carrots would definitely be a top contender. As temperatures drop to freezing, carrots, like most cold-hardy crops, employ an enzyme called invertase to convert starches to sugars resulting in the sweetness characteristic of later season carrots (Science Direct). 

While many come in thrilled by the sight of carrots and letting us know that they likely won’t last the car ride home, others have requested more ideas for how to make use of our earthly orange friends. If pocket carrots on the ski trail isn’t quite your speed, try one of these recipes:

  • Honey Harissa Carrots With Whipped Feta - Harissa is a hot chili pepper paste, native to the Maghreb (wikipedia) -- it can be hard to find in your average grocery store but luckily, Bozeman’s best new gourmet market/natural wine store, Mischa’s (owned and operated by GVB’s own Anastasia!) carries a tube of harissa that comes in at $3 - a steal! This recipe uses the carrot tops to make a “chunky green sauce” to top the dish -- I think any somewhat hearty green and/or herb could substitute. Maybe a handful of your kale and some parsley?

The newsletter from 10/24 has several ideas on how to use your sugar dumpling squash. I was thinking how great some warm roasted squash would be in the morning; you can always puree it to spread on thick cut toast with ricotta for an easy 3 minute meal, or try one of these if you have a bit more time on your hands: 

I cubed and roasted some watermelon radishes last week (along with beets, carrots, and blush onions - a true game changer in the mixed roasted veg game) and was very happy with the result! I mostly ate them in a simple warm kale salad topped with a handful of nuts or seeds and the shallot vinaigrette from two weeks ago but they’re also great as a side on their own or in a grain bowl. And one more recipe for good measure: Quick Pickled Carrots and Daikon Radish by My Korean Kitchen. Watermelon radishes are an heirloom variety of daikon radishes so will work perfectly well here.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy first full week of 2023! Until next week,

Sasha

Jacy Rothschiller