Kearsarge Mountain CSA: Week 5

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 5 weeks of CSA! This experience has changed my relationship with food in such a profound way. Every week I am excited to come home and show my family what delicious, safe and wholesome food our local farms have provided for us.

We are now hooked for life, and I am so thankful to have this opportunity! I think everyone would discover that there are immense benefits and rewards in choosing to invest in a local CSA, so check out one near you! I have websites for Local Harvest and Kearsarge Mountain CSAs located on the sidebar, and there are so many more out there, too!

Here is what we got this week:

The evolution of the season consistently produces greater variety. It is a joy to see what our own land is able to provide for us as summer floats along. This, for me, is one of the best aspects of the CSA. It is a great way to connect. 

And, like I have become accustomed to doing, I stopped by the Tuesday Warner farmer's market to grab some mushrooms from Greenhill Collective Farm. Black trumpets (the dark ones) and chanterelles (the yellowy/orange ones) that were foraged for that day. Doesn't really get better than that. Also, at the Michelle's Garden stand right next door I found gorgeous homemade raspberry jam and a cucumber. 

And now for properly storing this week's bounty.

The chard and parsley were stored like flowers in water on the counter. 

I put the potatoes in a brown paper bag with a couple still leftover from last week. Stored in a dark, cool place, these guys will keep for a very long time so do not feel any rush to use them! Although potatoes make so many delicious things, it's not hard to use them up quickly. I try to savor them.

Last week's CSA gave me an (enormous) head of lettuce that I stored in some water in a big bowl in the fridge. That was not particularly successful (it wilted after two days), so this time I am trying something new. I pulled all the leaves off of the head of lettuce and washed them thoroughly. Dirt likes to cling to the inside leaves down by the stem, so I went over each leaf carefully so they would be ready to eat whenever.

Then I packed the leaves in a big container. We shall see how this goes! I have a good feeling. 

The peas, beans, squash and cucumber was tossed into the crisper drawer where they will easily keep well for the next week, probably much longer.

Finally, these beauteous carrots I put in a container in the fridge where they will be crispy and delicious for weeks to come.

And the tops were enjoyed by my little fury friend :) Everyone wins!