The CSA challenge

I am crazy about produce. I love the wide variety of color and texture. I am a total want-a-be gardener. I dream of the entire backyard being made over in the spirit of the victory gardens of long ago as well as chickens and goats for eggs and milk. Maybe a bee hive for my own honey. Oh, artisan goat cheese would be made. I would feed my family entirely off the land. Then… I wake up. Who am I kidding? I hate digging anything. I have to work full time. I am overwhelmed with just keeping my house clean.

My friend, Liz, offered me her share of a CSA while she was out of town. I graciously excepted and looked forward to our veggie pickup all week. For those of you who do not know Community-Supported or Community-Shared Agriculture (CSA) is also known as “subscription farming.” You buy a subscription from a local farmer just like you buy a subscription to a magazine. But instead of receiving a magazine each week, you receive a “share” of fresh, locally grown or raised fruit and/or vegetables. Some farmers also offer CSA subscriptions for farm-fresh eggs, and/or meats. While new in name, Community Supported Agriculture goes back to an earlier time when people knew where their food came from, ate  with the seasons, and enjoyed a delicious, healthy diet of pure, fresh foods.

 I believe that supporting local farmers are better for our economy and our healths. “In season” is what CSA’s are all about. The grocery store knows no seasons. What we have gained in convenience, we have lost in flavor, freshness, nutritional value, and human connection-to each other and to the land. That said, I have done most of my shopping at the grocery store in the urban world in which I live.  I do support our local farmer’s market June-Oct, but have not committed to a CSA program, mostly do the initial upfront cost.  I found to be average about $450-$650 to be paid at the beginning of the season. (May-Oct.)

  Smack in the middle of the city there is this beautiful garden. How wonderful. It really is in my backyard. I am so happy that my friend, Liz, shared this with me. So now let’s get down to the fun part. The food I received in the share this week.

Here’s the challenge. What would you make out of these ingredients?  I will be posting all week what I make from my CSA weekly share.  What I would love to hear from you is what you would make.

Rainbow swiss chard
Cucumber
Purple basil
Green tomato
Baby red turnips
Fresh eggs, 1 dozen
Scallions
Romaine lettuce
Cherry tomato
Arugula

Let me know your ideas and tomorrow I will post my first dish created from the basket.

Pull up a chair, Elizabeth