Howdy folks and welcome to week 8 of your Tumbleweed Farm CSA. Damn it’s gotten hot out here! We hope you all are staying nice and cool wherever you are. We’ve been busting our butts in the fields trying to stay on top of everything and so far we’re doing it (though the weeds are catching up to us a bit!!). A few things to note— We had to pick broccoli on Friday to preserve it from the heat. So it’s a few days old (still way fresher than what you’d get at your grocery store). It definitely does not like this heat and it isn’t as happy as our earlier spring broccoli. Please keep that in mind if you are curious about the quality. We did our best.
Speaking of the heat—the summer squash and zucchini is cranking. The first of the season has made its debut in your boxes. We hope you’re as excited as we are!
Also- 3 cheers for parsley! We should all be eating more parsley due to it’s powerful nutritional profile (more on that below). I linked a recipe for a really delicious chimichurri sauce that I hope you all enjoy.
Enjoy this week’s harvest. The crew kicked ass this week showing up before 6am to pick the leafy greens before the heat of the day. We worked through the afternoon heat and this crew of ours had the BEST spirits even when sweat was dripping from eyebrows and the harvest list kept getting longer! We are the luckiest!
Happy cooking and eating everyone.
Harvest 8
Parsley—This herb is an all-purpose pathogen-fighter; it keeps bacteria, parasites, and fungus at bay. It helps alkalize all systems in the body and includes important vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B, A, C, and K. It’s also a highly remineralizing food, especially for those low in trace minerals; parsley provides magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, iodine, and calcium.
Broccoli— Broccoli contains many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Broccoli’s benefits include helping reduce inflammation, keeping blood sugar stable, and strengthening the immune system.
Lettuce Mix—A rich source of vitamins A, K and folate. Also a good anti- inflammatory leafy green.
Scallions—Great for overall immune health. Scallions are a good source of vitamin C and a flavonoid called quercetin. Both can strengthen your immune system and help it fight illnesses.
Kohlrabi— Kohlrabi is great for gut health as it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. It also contains a wide array of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, anthocyanins, isothiocyanates, and glucosinolates. These plant compounds protect your cells against free radical damage that may otherwise increase your risk of disease.
Kale—super high in antioxidants, contains vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese and various polyphenols.
Radishes—are a rich source of magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. They have been studied and results confirm that they likely alter the way cancer cells reproduce so they may reduce cancer risk. They are full of fiber and for their tiny size contain a lot of health benefits. Remove the greens from these to help keep the roots crisp for storing.
Zucchini—Zucchini is a highly alkaline food that is one of the mildest and easiest vegetables to digest. Zucchini is a great source of vitamin A, C, & B-complex as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, and manganese.
Recipe Suggestions
Zucchini & Kale Chicken Meatballs with Parsley Chimichurri Sauce (Kid friendly recipe and VERY TASTY!!)
Broccoli & Kohlrabi Crunch Salad (this was a hit for our whole family!)
Spinach & Scallion Buckwheat Pancakes (use kale instead of spinach in here)
Two-Ingredient Zucchini & Chickpea Flour Fritters (my kids love these!)
