The Cornucopia Carrot Vol.3, Issue 20!

Wow, it is September 21 and we are at the end of another summer of vegetables.  It is hard to believe and yet, today, we commented to each other that the weather has changed and fall is in the air.  

As we have mentioned (hopefully to all of you) we are preparing to do a Fall Share CSA.  If you aren't sure what you will do without fresh vegetables from The Cornucopia, then this is your answer.  A Fall Share will consist of six (6) bi-weekly deliveries starting on October 7 with the last delivery December 16.  You can expect things like beans and peppers (until a hard frost) and more cold tolerant items like brassicas, carrots, celery, and many greens like spinach and lettuce (we have the tunnel planted full).   Also included will be storage crops like onion, garlic, squash, potatoes and leek.  You might wonder how it is possible to have things like greens available until December, but remember that many of these crops are actually improved by cold temperatures both in vibrant color and flavor.  Price for the Fall Share will be $180 - that is just $15 per week delivered to Sioux Center and Orange City. Please let us know by October 2  if you plan to participate.  You may send us an email and we will accept your payment with the first delivery or you may send us a check in the mail. If you have friends or family that would be interested, please pass this information along to them as well.  

There are some great movies/documentaries out there right now about local food and knowing where your food comes from.  Tomorrow evening, we are heading for Sioux Falls to "Food, Inc." and recently we viewed a trailer about a new documentary called "Fresh".  Tomorrow and Wednesday we are participating in "Green Week" at Mercy Hospital in Sioux City

When you come to pick up your share tomorrow, please remember to return all of your boxes.  It will be helpful if you bring along a bag or box of your own to put your share in, but if you forget, John will have some bags available for you.  Thanks again for your patronage this year and we look forward to serving you in the coming season.  

In your share this week.....

Carrots - This is a new crop with the tops on.  We kept planting them throughout the year for a continuous supply.

Broccoli - loves this cool weather.

Beans - as long as the weather holds, so will the beans.  Keep enjoying them while you can.

Yellow Onions

Butternut Squash - Yum!  this is one of my favorite signs of fall.  If you can resist, these squash will actually improve in flavor and sweetness if you cure them for about a week.  Place them in a sunny window or better yet, out on your porch in direct sun.  However, if frost threatens, take them inside.  You can cook this squash by peeling, cubing and steaming it until tender, or you can simply cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and then place cut side down in a baking dish with at least 1/2" of water and bake at 350 degrees until tender and then scoop the meat out of the shell.  I like to eat it with some butter and a little salt and pepper.

Peppers - Red Beauties!  I picked over 100 this afternoon and didn't get finished.  Did you know that red pepper has more vitamin C than an orange?  Pack one in your lunch and eat it like an apple.  Chop it up and throw it in a salad or stir fry or add some to your chicken soup for extra color and nutrition.

Leaf Lettuce - time for a salad

Green Cabbage - cabbage rolls, cole slaw, steam or grill a wedge and drizzle some herbed butter or balsamic vinegar over the top.......

German Butterball Potato - cool weather just makes me think of potato soup and looking at the list of items above I see a lot of things that would go well in it, like broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions.......

Whole shares will also have a bunch of Crunchy Royale Radish