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MEADOWLARK FARM SUMMER CSA NEWS 8-6-10 Dear friends, August unfolds and still we wait on the ripening tomatoes. We have passed through this week waiting and wondering and watching our beautiful plants. This marks the sad one year anniversary during which we watched as the late blight moved into our thousands of plants and systematically wiped them all out. This year, the plants are beautiful and we have been proactive in watching, monitoring and taking care of them. Jon found a forecasting web site that monitors the prevalence of late blight around the country(using a series of scientific methods) and he's been keeping a very close eye on the movement of this devastating disease. It starts in the south and moves north on the wind. It can live without a host, travelling on the wind! There are some confirmed cases in Michigan, but we have yet to hear of any locally. The weather is absolutely different this year, but we are hyper vigilant because it pays off to pay attention. We are deeply committed to providing you with tomatoes this year! Jon has been spraying an organically approved spray for late blight weekly and that combined with the tomato team's tender loving care have nurtured plants that are loaded with gorgeous green fruits. When they start to ripen, it will be amazing because it looks to be a great year for yield. We can't wait until the top of your box is a layer of multi-colored tomato glory.....Soon! This week's boxes continue on with some of the summer stars: ailsa craig sweet onion, garlic, the last of the celery, keuka gold potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, broccoli or cauliflower, a bag of tender rainbow chard(wash first), several Carmen green peppers (that are long and skinny and delicious, use just like a green bell pepper), dragon beans(yellow flat podded overlaid with purple stripes), salad mix and the herbs today are a combo pack of fresh mint and dill. Premiums receive broccoli and cauliflower, tomatoes and extras. Fruit shares receive white nectarines from our neighbor Kevin VerSnyder. They are incredible! He sells other fruits on Lake Shore Dr.( not far from the farm) out of a sweet little stand. Here's a fun recipe to try; it makes a lot and the leftovers are really good: BULGUR, CUCUMBER, DILL AND MINT SALAD -1 c. fresh lemon juice -3/4 c. olive oil -4-6 minced garlic cloves -1 t. salt -1 c. bulgur -3 medium or 5 little cucumbers -2 c. chopped fresh celery leaves -1 c. chopped celery -1 c. chopped ailsa craig sweet onion -1 c. chopped green pepper -the contents of your herb pack toady=dill and mint Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic and salt in really big bowl. Mix in raw bulgur. Mix vegetables and herbs together in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon atop bulgur(DO NOT MIX TOGETHER YET!) Cover and chill overnight or up to 2 days. Toss and transfer to serving bowl. Refreshing, great with grilled fish or over salad greens for a light meal. Have a lovely week or two and thanks for returning those boxes. If you are having trouble remembering to return your boxes, you could always bring your own container to your drop off spot and transfer your box contents right then and there, leaving your box for our pickup the next week. Love, the meadowlarks ****Check out Nancy Allen's weekly blog about cooking at the farm: farmfoodleelanau@blogspot
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