Week 7: March 6 - 9
Whew, yesterday was a DAY. School was canceled. Our UTV got stuck in snow-covered mud on the first pass at attempting to plow. 10th Street didn’t get plowed until around 10am, and even then cars couldn’t make it all the way down the driveway to the farm. And that’s all before things really went awry: a 5-hour power outage meant no baking, no watering, and plenty of anxiety that we’d have to spend the night shuffling a generator around the farm to keep plants from freezing. It was a complete headache of a day.
That’s one way to look at it, at least. But as I sit down to write this, I’m struck by the beautiful moments even this discombobulated day contained. Kids making apple cider snowcones and playing in the snow for hours on end. Sun shining enough to keep the greenhouses warm and spirits high. The power finally coming back on while we sat by a cozy fire in the woodstove.
Weirdly, these hard days are the ones that make us most thankful on the farm, as we force ourselves to find the silver linings and realize we never have to look too far. Whether it’s crew members going above and beyond to help make sure the day’s work gets done or kids with snow shovels helping dig out stranded vehicles, the toughest conditions bring out the best in our collaborative team. We are incredibly grateful for the people - yourself included - who make up this community and help this farm weather all types of storms.
In hindsight, yesterday’s storm proved to be a blip. The power came back on before dark and cold set in. The UTV was easily freed. The snow has already started to melt, the roads are clear, and the veggies are happily growing (or happily inside your CSA bag), none the wiser. We’ll savor the snow while it sticks around, and happily bid it adieu when it leaves. And above all else, we’ll be thankful this all happened on a Wednesday, not on a Thursday.
Have a powerful week,
Chris, Ashley, Hallie, and the 10th Street Farm Crew
Reminder: Your bag is hanging BELOW your name on the bag rack.
In Your Bag This Week
Arugula microgreens: Peppery micros add a little punch to pizza, salads, pestos, sandwiches, eggs, and more. Store in your fridge.
Pea Shoots: Sweet and crisp, these make a great addition to sandwiches, wraps, salads or can be lightly sautéed as a side dish. Store in a bag in your fridge.
Persephone Mix salad greens: Our fresh-cut winter blend of lettuce and cold-hardy greens. Store in a bag in your fridge.
Petite Choi: Miniature pac choi is the perfect addition to stir fry, ramen, or fresh salads. Lightly sauté, steam, or just eat raw. Store in your fridge.
Flavor Mix microgreens: Mild and tasty, these make an easy salad on their own or can add some color to any other salad. Try them on eggs or sandwiches – or anything, really! Store in a bag in your fridge.
Garlic: The best cooking advice we ever received? When a recipe calls for a clove of garlic, use two or three! Store on your counter.
Celery: Crunchy celery shoots full of flavor - almost a completely different vegetable from the tasteless, water-filled stuff you find in stores. Store in a bag in your fridge.
Spinach: Spinach gets sweeter the more it freezes and thaws as the plant produces sugars to use as an anti-freeze to keep the plant alive. That means the best spinach you can eat is grown in a cold place! Use as a salad base, sautéed as a side dish or bake into a casserole. Store in a bag in your fridge.
What should I make with what’s in the bag?
Petite choi is back, which is always a treat! We had some in ramen the other night and it was perfect. It’s also amazing in stir fries or salads, or even just lightly sauteed with garlic, soy sauce, and a few other pops of flavor.
We’ve got celery in the bag as well - maybe the return of chilly weather means it’s time to cook up some white beans with celery soup. Or, if you’re feeling fresh, you could whip up an Asian celery salad or try this celery salad with dates, almonds, and parmesan.
If you've found a recipe you're loving, please send it our way. We're always looking for new things to cook and share with other members!
We wash everything in your bag but we wash them in bulk so some things may need an extra rinse at home. Thanks!
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