Howdy folks and welcome to week 17 of your Tumbleweed Farm CSA. We hope y’all are enjoying the clear skies this morning and slightly cooler temps! The heat and smoke was getting old. We’re grateful for a little reprieve.
This week we are happy to have broccoli and cabbage back in rotation! And I know many of you are probably sick of cucumbers but hot damn! Our cucumbers cranked this year and we need to keep picking them and offloading them. A few things we’ve been doing to help our family enjoy the cucumbers (even though we’re getting tired of them too!) We’re making cucumber coolers (just blending cucumbers, ice, lime juice and honey until a “slushly” forms. It’s refreshing and so easy! We’re also slicing cucumbers and putting them in our water glasses for “fancy” water. My toddlers are totally into fancy water these days. And of course, just slicing and eating them with hummus or homemade ranch. I promise the cucumbers will end soon, but in the meantime I hope you can manage to stomach a few ore! Arugula is also back. It’s very delicate and so it only needs a tiny bit of olive oil and lemon juice to make a killer salad. Too much dressing will over saturate the leaves. It’s also wonderful blended into a green sauce or thrown into a bowl of hot pasta or on top of pizza to wilt on its own.
This is the last week for the melons. It’s been a really great melon crop for us but this last week was harder picking. As the melons fade out the winter squash is slowly trickling in! Look for that in your boxes in the next few weeks! We still have cherry tomatoes cranking for a while longer. My 4-year-old helped harvest the tomatoes for the boxes and she’s very proud of her work. I hope you can taste the love that went into those pints this week.
Alright everyone, we hope you enjoy this week’s haul.
Your farmers,
Andrea, Taylor, Pepper, Maize and our kick ass crew!
Harvest 17
Arugula—Arugula is thought to be one of the most nutrient dense leafy green veggies. It’s high in calcium, potassium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also an excellent source of phytochemicals like flavonoids and glucosinolates that can scavenge free radicals and offer anticancer properties.
Broccoli—Broccoli contains many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Research suggests that some of broccoli’s plant compounds are thought to help prevent cancer when eaten often. Broccoli’s benefits include helping reduce inflammation, keeping blood sugar stable, and strengthening the immune system.
Cabbage—this tasty brassica helps reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the leading cause of disease and incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods is very beneficial.
Dill—is great for digestion and helps with bloating. Because of its antacid properties it’s great at easing indigestion, gastritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Cucumber— If you are feeling dehydrated eat a cucumber! Cucumbers are hydrating and contain more than 50 trace minerals. They contain chlorophyll in their skins that’s bonded to B vitamins and vitamins A and C. And cucumbers support digestion and hydration.
Full Size Tomatoes—Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Cherry Tomatoes— See above
Shisito Peppers— Besides Vitamin C, shishito peppers have a high amount of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E. These contribute to improving the immune system as well as the body's nervous system. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E also prevent the cells and tissues from getting damaged. This keeps immunity levels up at all times.
Jalapeno Peppers—jalapeños are rich in vitamins A and C and potassium. They also have carotene -- an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from disease– as well as folate, vitamin K, and B vitamins.
Cantaloupe—Cantaloupe is an amazing fruit that has over 19 vitamins and minerals that help to boost the immune system, detoxify the organs, and deeply hydrate and alkalinize the body.
Recipe suggestions
Melon, Cucumber & Corn Salad (this is hands down one of the best salads of the summer!)
Farm Fresh Ranch Coleslaw (this is so damn easy and delicious!)
Creamed Shishito Peppers (if you haven’t made this dip yet make it now!!)
Spicy Lamb & Lentil Bowls with Blistered Shishitos (this comes together quickly and is so tasty!)
Teriyaki Salmon & Broccoli Bowls (absolute perfection!)
Creamy Broccoli Salad (This tastes even better the day after its made!)
Below are some of my kid’s favorite farm fresh recipes from my other website!
Salmon & Broccoli Nuggets with Homemade Tartar Sauce (these are so tasty and a great way to get more broccoli and salmon into your children’s diet. They are perfect for adults too!)
Soba Noodle Bowls with Chicken, Veggies and Creamy Almond Sesame Date Sauce (Family favorite dinner right here!)
Savory Broccoli, Sweet Potato and Cheddar Buckwheat Muffins (these are great to have on hand and freeze really well too!)
White Bean & Arugula Pancakes with Arugula Chimichurri Sauce (my kids love these and I hope you all give them a try. Not only are these delicious, but they are so nutritious and a great way to get some healthy fat, fiber and antioxidants into your kids!)
Sweet Sesame Buckwheat Noddles with Sausage and Broccoli (simple and tasty!)