Harvest Notes

Last week I goofed and posted the zucchini in the wrong column. Zucchini was included in SMALL shares only, not LARGE shares only. I understand it may seem random or well…even unfair… that a small box would receive something that a large box doesn’t, but sometimes our decisions are based on the fact that we can’t fit anything else in the large shares without smashing things in, or that the small boxes need a little bit more of something, and the harvest count comes out perfectly. Sometimes we can only offer something on one of our harvest days: either Tuesday or Wednesday. When that happens, we almost always follow up with switching it the following week. Know this: we work diligently, each week, to bring a solid value to each and every subscriber, and are always open to feedback, concerns and suggestions. When we find that we have only a TINY amount of something to share, we’ll include it in our Trade-In shares, which we offer to all drop points with 6 or more participants. If your drop isn’t being blessed with a trade-in box, we sure would appreciate it if you could tell a few friends about us! It helps us by keeping costs down by “ganging” deliveries, and it helps you by getting to trade in and customize your box so that less goes to waste. Our new website: www.morningsongfarm.com has an easy to use order form, and lots of FAQ’s about our CSA program.

 

New this week, and possibly disconcerting if you’ve never seen our Passion fruit before, we are just beginning to harvest our Passion fruit vines; truly a full month earlier than usual. If you’ve never enjoyed Passion fruit, you’re in for a treat. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut off the tip of your fruit and then swirl a spoon around inside to break the gelatinous fibers loose from the interior walls. In a pinch, you can use your thumb. Scoop out and enjoy. Yes, you can include in smoothies and atop ice cream. But this treat is so over-the-top intensely delicious, I think straight up is a first choice. I remember the first one I ever tasted, 25 years ago where the enthusiastic grower tore off the tip with his teeth, and instructed me to smush the opening to my lips and drink the fruit right there. I was smitten! Few of our fruits are cosmetic bells of the ball. In fact, way back then, I’d been told that the finest flavored fruit is wrinkled and really ugly. So don’t heave ho the wrinkled ones.

 

Better late than never: we are finally harvesting tomatoes for all, every week. We’re growing way more cherry tomatoes than heirlooms, as the squirrels leave the small tomatoes alone for whatever reason we have yet to ascertain, and opt for small, ruinous bites out of the large tomatoes we grow. And this is the first week we have our pretty culinary sage in the boxes, large shares only. And a special note to all those that enjoy our Purslane: I noticed this week the tiny Purslane seeds are showing up on the leaves. Those aren’t bugs! They’re nutritious and tasty. Finally, a note about this week’s Large Share only sprouts. We trialed several seed mixes against our tried and true Italian Mix (clover, garlic and cress). We tried a mild radish, a 100% brassica mix (mostly kales) and an amazing crunchy bean mix we all loved. Your feedback is appreciated!