CSA Week 10
We're packing four different varieties of slicing tomatoes this week. As I said before, we pick them relatively green so they'll survive the journey to your door, but they are a climacteric fruit, which means they will continue to ripen off the vine, so you can leave them on your counter for a couple of days if they need to soften up. Don't refrigerate them unless they're soft already or the skin is broken.
"Where to begin? There are too many wonderful varieties to list and too many cooking and preservation methods to count. I will focus on my favorite ways to use this treasured fruit, which originated in Mexico and has spread around the world, enlivening cuisines everywhere.
The small, cherry-type often show up first, and I eat them as is, or cut them in half and add them to salads, or toss them with oil and vinegar and basil and salt and eat a big bowl of them like that. The little ones practically turn into candy when roasted in the oven in a pie pan for 30 minutes at hight heat, elevating anything they touch."
Read more here.
Week 10 Shares Include: peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, squash, potatoes, greens, apples
, nectarines, onions
Pick-your-own bonus: 6 peaches, 4 nectarines, and 3 sunflowers
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Our thanks to members who have logged into their accounts to request vacation holds for weeks when they will be away. May we suggest that you log back into your account before leaving to confirm that your request was accurately noted? If you see anything unexpected, send an email to CSA@greatcountryfarms and let us know. Thanks.
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Dogs Like Good Food Too
CSA members Eric and Julie Parkhurst understand that your dog's health depends on what he eats, just as yours does. That's why they started
EJ's Meats & Treats, a family business that produces
smoked and dehydrated natural pet treats. Each of their treats is hand-processed, with no unnatural preservatives, additives or fillers. Meat treats are made from all natural free-range livestock and poultry raised on family-run USDA certified farms in the United States. And they use produce from Great Country Farms. EJ’s Meats & Treats takes pride in the quality and love that goes into each treat that goes into your pet's mouth. Never before has spoiling your pet been so affordable.
A selection of their treats is now available in our market.
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Cooking with Lee
Long-time CSA member Lee Draznin has embarked on a blogging project this year: it's called "What Do I Do With This Box?", and the name speaks for itself. We invite all of you to join us in Lee's kitchen for the next few months, while we learn how he uses the bounty that comes to his door every week.
Here's Lee's post from Week 9:
"Now that it is August, tomatoes are heavy, juicy and just delicious. We will now have tomatoes coming in our box almost every week, and should see them through at least the end of August. I’m one of those folks who will only eat tomatoes while they are in season. The sugary sweetness and warmth of a tomato just picked off the vine and popped into your mouth is one of the true treats of summer.
"There is no shortage of recipes that use fresh tomatoes. I use them in salads, cook them down in sauces, I even slice them and dry them in my oven. Dried cherry tomatoes take on almost a raisin like quality. They are actually quite addictive. For this week, I’ve decided to stay in the salad lane. On a hot summer evening, salads are refreshing and delicious."
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NoVa Wellness and YogaFest Retreat
You’re invited to the first ever NoVa Wellness and YogaFest Retreat, October 6-8, on the grounds of historic Morven Park. This weekend-long celebration of self and community wellness will feature an array of yoga classes, including Yin, Vinyasa, Laughter Yoga, and children’s yoga led by minimum 200 RYT practitioners from throughout the region. The event will also offer meditation and mindfulness, wellness workshops, nature walks, chef-inspired healthy food, wellness products, and wholistic service options.
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Bonus Value this week: $10.54
Year-to- Date Bonus Value: $132.79
What is the
YTD Bonus Value? Each week we total up the market value of the bonus pick-your-own items. The value to date includes 8 quarts of strawberries, two bags of spinach, four bundles of asparagus, three quarts of sweet cherries, a quart of tart cherries, two pints of black raspberries, 3 quarts of blackberries, and 42 peaches, four nectarines, two bags of green beans, and six sunflowers.
Please note that bonus amounts do not carry over from week to week, and they are offered while supplies last.
Wagon rides to the fields will start at 9:15 sharp and continue at the top of every the hour until 5:00. We update our Twitter @TheFarmerSays with the latest picking conditions, so be sure to follow us.
Group Site Members:
Please remember that you must pick up your box on delivery day. All boxes contain perishable items that spoil easily, so any
boxes that are not claimed within the designated pick-up window will be donated. Your host is not permitted to hold your box overnight.
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Blue Door Cottage ~ Farm Stay
Ever wish you could stay on the farm for a few days? Now you can experience country living, with a stay at our newly listed Blue Door Cottage. With up to 3 bedrooms available, the cottage sleeps 6 and is great for families or groups of friends looking for a little R&R. GCF is just around the corner, and there is great hiking and river tubing just 10 minutes away. Book your Getaway today!
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Stone Cottage ~ Couples Escape
Looking for a quick get-away to celebrate your anniversary, birthday or other special occasion? The Stone Cottage at Bluemont Vineyard is just the ticket! Nestled among the apple and cherry orchards just below the Tasting Room, the Stone Cottage offers a great escape to reconnect and celebrate with the one you love!
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