Produce Guide:

1) Nagasaki Late Chinese Cabbage

2) Live Oak Farm Summer Tea Blend

3) Miner's Lettuce

4) Winter Braising Greens Mix:

(Tatsoi, Mustard, Purple Choy Sum, Nagasaki Outers)

5) Baby Radish Bunch

6) Meyer Lemons

7) Blue Rock Romaine Lettuce Heads (2x)

Friends of the Farm-

Happy Friday and welcome the return of Live Oak Farm CSA! We thank you for joining us in our vegetable mission.

This week we highlight some lesser known greens that perform well beyond their category.

Enter Nagasaki Late- a variety of Chinese Cabbage that is a cousin to Bok Choy and Tatsoi. Stemming as far back as the Edo period, this Japanese variety is deeply rooted in Nagasaki in its origin and cultural significance still today. This cabbage variety is a staple in a Japanese soup called Ozoni, commonly shared in Japanese New Years celebrations. Loaded in nutrition, enjoy it in soups, hot pot, or this week's featured recipe for Cabbage Stir Fry.

Next, Miner's Lettuce. I love the shape of these greens' leaves. Less is more with these greens. I love them with just a touch of olive oil, champagne vinegar, and a pinch of coarse sea salt. Also a welcome addition on top of your avocado toasts, hand-tossed pizzas, or a fresh pop to a loaded baked potato.

Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity wins the day with these tender greens.

Lastly, this week's braising mix. A combination of Tatsoi, Mustard, Purple Choy Sum, and Nagasaki outers. We've added color and texture by way of purple stems, yellow flowers, and many shades of green. Great when cooked down with garlic, and fresh lemon juice. A simple sauté can add great winter greens nutrition as a base or addition to soups, seared meats, or a savory bowl by themselves.

For our recipe this week we highlight the Nagasaki Late Cabbage in a Stir Fry. We build flavor and texture with sweet, savory and a little bit of heat along the way. Give it a try.

Lastly, we welcome you to enjoy our weekly music playlist...

One song this week that best encapsulates all that we do in our work to deliver fresh produce to our community and greater mission as farmers comes from King Tuff's newest record (Smalltown Stardust), a track entitled Love Letters to Plants. It says it all. If you are unfamiliar with Valerie June at this stage in the artist's career, she is most certainly worth a dig. In this playlist we revisit her first record (The Order of Time, 2017). Her voice has so much texture and Got Soul is backed with horns and a driving beat to believe. Spirit of the Boogie (Kool & The Gang), and I Thank You (Sam & Dave) will also perk you up if you need a boost of funk & soul in the name of positivity. As always, kitchen dancing is always encouraged. Have a listen & enjoy!

All our best from the farm,

Tom & William and Live Oak Farm team

Nagasaki Cabbage Stir Fry

Ingredients:

All Nagasaki Cabbage

6 oz. Pork Belly

5 cloves Garlic, smashed and halved

5 Chinese red peppers (Tien Tsin), deseeded and rough chopped

2 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp Soy Sauce

2 tea Mirin

1/2 tea Sugar

1 Tbsp Water

1/2 tea Chinese Black Vinegar

2 Scallions, diced

Method:

To begin, heat a wok over high heat and add oil when hot. Add pork belly and sear until caramelized and cooked through. Add garlic & red chili peppers, turning heat down to medium. Continue to cook, without burning the garlic.

Add Nagasaki cabbage, Mirin, sugar, water, and soy sauce. Return heat to High, cover and let cabbage cook for 1-2 minutes. Uncover and stir in black vinegar, scallions, and any additional salt to taste to complete seasoning. The goal is to have cabbage wilted and transparent while maintaining its crunch and achieving caramelization.

Serve hot & enjoy!

This dish can also be garnished with peanuts or cashews for an additional texture pop.

Looking ahead...



A reminder of this season's full calendar, by week, posted below. Remember, there is no CSA next week, as we enter the season in a staggered start out of the gates in the month of February.

Miss us this week, or have friends or neighbors wanting to join us in our vegetable mission? It's not too late to join. Prorated rates are available and space remains to join us.