Hot damn! Just like that it’s October. Where did the summer go? We hope you all are enjoying this cool and crisp weather. We’ve had some really chilly mornings and actually survived our first frost (and by survived, it was a kill frost and we lost some stuff.) But we are happy to report that there is still SO much coming out of the ground. The morning harvests are a lot more uncomfortable though. It’s freezing and whoever is on wash duty has it really hard. It takes 8 + hours to wash all of the veggies on CSA harvest days and our washer definitely gets worked pretty hard. Freezing cold water, working in the shade, and a bunch of heavy lifting. If you see Maggie, Clara or Taylor give them a high five because they’ve got it extra hard this time of the year. Jenna and I get to warm up in the farm truck between harvests so that helps us!
Anyhow, this week ya’ll get one of our favorite winter squash varieties the mighty Blue Hubbard. This guy is so darn delicious and stores really well. The best way to “cut” it open is to actually drop it on the ground and it will split into uniform pieces perfect for roasting. It’s a fun thing to do with your kids!
We hope you all enjoy this week’s haul!
Harvest 20
Rainbow Chard—Rainbow Chard—this dark leafy green is high in antioxidants and important vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, K and A and a healthy dose of magnesium (which many people are deficient in).
Baby Bok Choy—Full of anti-cancer properties such as Vitamins C & E, beta carotene, and selenium which is thought to slow the growth rate of tumors.
Head Lettuce— A rich source of vitamins A, K and folate. Also a good anti- inflammatory leafy green.
Carrots—Rich in beta-carotene which your body converts into Vitamin A. This vitamin is important for vision, bone and immune function. Carrots are also high in antioxidants and important minerals for overall body health. Remove the greens on the carrots before storing them so they don’t go soft.
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.
Winter Squash (Blue Hubbard)—Winter Squash is a highly nutritious and alkaline food which is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. It’s easy to digest and contains high amounts of Vitamins A, E, C, B-complex, and beta carotene, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium which are vital for a healthy and strong immune and nervous system
Purple Potatoes—Potato skins and flesh are both very beneficial to human health. Fun fact—potato plants draw some of the highest concentration of macro and trace minerals from the earth. This was news to me!! They are high in potassium and rich in vitamin B6, as well as a fantastic source of amino acids, especially lysine in its bioactive form. Lysine is a powerful weapon against viruses such as Epstein-Barr and shingles that are behind rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, autoimmune disease, and more. Potatoes also contain tyrosine, a chemical needed to produce thyroid hormones. So cool! Eat more potatoes folks!
Bell Peppers—Bell peppers are very high in vitamin C, with a single one providing up to 169% of the recommended daily value. Other vitamins and minerals in bell peppers include vitamin K1, vitamin E, vitamin A, folate, and potassium.
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.
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.
Onions—Onions are high in probiotics and fiber which is great for gut health. They are also high in vitamin C, which may help regulate your immune health, collagen production, and iron absorption. Onions are rich in B vitamins, including folate and vitamin B6.
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.
Recipe Suggestions
Winter Squash & Pork Stew (use the swiss chard instead of kale in this recipe!)
Lentils & Carrots with Swiss Chard And Yogurt (this is SO good!)
Crispy Rainbow Chard Chips with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (this is better than a kale chip!)
Bok Choy Coconut Curry (this is SO good!)
Maple Pumpkin Brown Butter & Sage Bread (very very good!)
Farm Stand Beef Stew (so cozy!)
Winter Squash Molasses Muffins (grain Free)
Pumpkin Molasses Oat Cake (This is SO darn good and my kids love it!)
Pumpkin Spice & Date Grain Free Muffins (toddler friendly!)
Winter Harvest Mexican Beef Stew (Perfect for all ages!)
Kid Friendly Carrot Salad (this is the best carrot salad EVER!!)
