July 22, 2003

Jungle Fever
It’s a jungle out there!! Plants of all walks of life are growing like crazy. We do need some more rain this week to really make all the veggies happy. Everyone at the farm is bravely fighting the war against the weeds. We are making progress in all the areas, but it seems to be a particularly good year for weeds. We would love it if any of you could come and lend a hand (or two) fighting the good fight against the marauding weeds. It’s a great opportunity to get your hands in the dirt, learn to differentiate plants, engage in some good conversation, see and hear some of the many birds to be found on this land, etc. Does this sound at all enticing? We hope so. If you are interested in helping us out with some weeding, just let us know what time might be good for you and we will make any necessary arrangements.

U-Pick
This week’s U-Pick options consist of the following: snap peas, shell peas, cilantro, dill, “garden huckleberries, and…(drum roll please)...BEANS!!! We have green beans, purple beans, and some yellow beans. Please note, however, that if the beans are really wet (like today), they are not good for the picking, because picking when wet encourages fungal growth. Saturday may be a better day to pick and enjoy the beans! The cherry tomatoes are definitely on the way. If you look you will see some orange and red ones. Please feel free to sample some as you harvest the other items, but there are not yet enough for you to go home with any. Next week there should be ample amounts, though. Tomatillos will soon be ready as well.

Pick-Up
We hope that the new pick-up format worked out well for everyone last week. That will be the pick-up format for the rest of the growing season. It is fun for us to be able to set out the beautiful produce like we do for farmers’ markets.

Mesclun Mix-Up
It has been brought to our attention that some of you have had some trouble with the mesclun deteriorating too quickly to be enjoyed. 99% of the produce you receive through our CSA was picked either that morning or the evening before. Mesclun is the one item that is usually harvested and prepared over the weekend. If stored properly our mesclun can easily last over a week. You should never seal off the plastic bag that your mesclun is in. That is a sure-fire way of turning it into mush. We suggest that you eat it ASAP for maximum enjoyment.

Preserve Our Wilderness!
Attached to this newsletter is a letter to Senators Leahy and Jeffords asking them to help establish more wilderness on the Green Mountain National Forest. Please read and consider signing this letter. You can send this letter to: Forest Watch, 10 Langdon Street, Suite 1, Montpelier, VT 05602.

This Week’s Harvest:
Carrots, radishes, snap peas (U-pick), shell peas (U-Pick), kohlrabi?, cucumbers?, cabbage, kale, radicchio?, scallions?, tomatoes?, eggplant?, new potatoes? daikon radishes, peppers, chili peppers?, fresh garlic, garlic scapes, onions, garden huckleberries (U-Pick), cilantro and dill (U-Pick).

Farm Updates:
The local deer just can’t resist our tasty veggies! We’ve found them sampling our soybeans, garlic and peas. They haven’t been feasting without a fair return: they also have been eating our weeds!
And speaking of weeds...they’re growing like, well, weeds! We can barely keep up with ‘em-but we’re plugging away! We’ll try our best to keep on top of the U-pick area especially.

Up and Coming Events at Arcana:

Saturday July 26th
Workshop: Scarecrow Making 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Making scarecrows is an old tradition that benefits your crops and is a fun activity for the whole family. Bring you creativity to your garden by making art using found objects. Don’t forget-you’ve got a free workshop certificate! $5.00 per child or $10 per family.

Sunday August 3rd
10th Anniversary Open Farm Day 1:00 p.m.-5 p.m.
All are welcome to join us for our annual celebration. Bring the whole family and enjoy farm tours, refreshments from our gardens, storytelling, kids activities, door prizes, live music and more! Free!

RECIPES:


Basil-Eggplant Salad
CSA veggies used: eggplant, garlic, onions, basil
Makes 8 servings

3 medium eggplants, skin on, cut into chunks
1 c olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, thinly sliced
Black pepper
1 c fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
Juice of 2 lemons

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich
CSA veggies used: eggplant, green or mild chili peppers, tomatoes.
Makes 4 servings
1 large eggplant
1/4 c olive oil
1 long crusty French bread
1/4 c prepared basil pesto
1/4 lb provolone cheese, thinly sliced
6 sliced mild chili peppers or green peppers
1 fresh tomato, sliced

Place eggplant in foil-lined roasting pan. Toss with 1/2 c olive oil, salt and garlic.
Bake 35 minutes at 400 degrees, or until eggplant is soft but not mushy. Cool 5 minutes on pan; transfer to large bowl.
Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet; add onions and cook, covered over low heat until tender, about 15 minutes.
Add onions to eggplant. Season generously with pepper.
Add basil and lemon juice; toss. Serve at room temperature.

Slice eggplant 1/4 inch thick. Brush with olive oil on both sides. Grill over low to medium coals, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, 5-7 minutes total.
Cut bread in half lengthwise. Spread pesto on cut faces of bread. Place eggplant, cheese, peppers and optional tomato in layers on one half of loaf. Top with other half of loaf.
If desired, wrap loaf in foil and heat at 350 degrees 20 minutes. Cut crosswise into 4 sandwiches and serve. Enjoy!

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