Tue 27 Jul 2010
Week of July 25th, 2010

This photo represents a medium share
Cauliflower
Fennel Bulb
Garlic
kohralbi
Lettuce
Scallions
Summer Squash
Garlic: Green garlic is served for this week's harvest. The term green refers to uncured garlic. You will notice as the garlic is peeled that the skin enclosing each clove is soft and the taste of the garlic is much milder. Garlic at this stage is best to be consumed within a few weeks.
Summer Squash: We are beginning to harvest summer squash and it will be a crop that goes on rotation.
Eating organic food and being physically active can only promote a healthy lifestyle. Self evaluation and commitment are two important elements required for one to continue on the right path. Unfortunately, statistics show that we typically change not from knowledge but from how we feel. By then, it can be too late to reverse the ailment. In Untied States there are 1.6 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year. Data from 2007 shows that 23.6 million people in United States have diabetes. The total cost of diagnosed diabetes was $174 billion. No doubt the numbers has increased. The good news is that each one of us can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle; Changing our diet, increasing our level of physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight. With these positive steps, we can stay healthier longer and reduce the risk of diabetes.
One aspect of our CSA Program is the amount and variety of leafy greens we provide to our CSA members. We strongly believe that greens should be the largest percentage of what we intake to replenish and maintain excellent health. As we say good bye to July and welcome August, field beds are being sown with leafy greens to be introduced in the fall harvest. We courage you not to shy away, but rather to embrace the new tastes, especially the pungent mustard greens, and begin to appreciate the different flavors.
Enjoy your week!
Tue 20 Jul 2010
Week of July 19, 2010

This photo represents a Medium share.
Beets
Savoy Cabbage
Cauliflower
French Sorrel
Lettuce
Onions
Peas
The Food and Climate Connection
"How we farm and eat is simultaneously one of the greatest contributors to climate change and one of its greatest potential solutions. The same global food system that is making us sick, increasing food insecurity, and polluting the environment is also contributing to climate change. Climate change, in turn, is contributing to rising rates of hunger and food insecurity. As much as 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions come from the food system. As you may know, it's how we farm and eat. Indeed, food and climate change are inextricably linked." (www.organicconsumers.org.) But the good news is that all of us can be part of the solution by becoming responsible consumers. Thank you for being part of our CSA Program. Together we are making a difference.
Tue 13 Jul 2010
Week of July 12th, 2010

This photo represents a small share.
Kohlrabi
Thu 8 Jul 2010
Week of July 5, 2010

This photo respresents a large share
Broccoli
Escarole
Garlic Scapes
Peas
Spigariello Liscia
For recipes, check our website, http://www.purplerainvineyard.com/recipes.php.
Available for purchase this week:
Eggs: half dozen/$3.25 full dozen/$6.50
Herb Bouquet: $2.30
Tue 29 Jun 2010
Week of June 28, 2010

This photo represents a medium share.
Broccoli
Escarole
Cress
Garlic Scapes
Green Wave
Peas or Fennel Bulb
This week’s cress has beautiful little white flowers. After the vinaigrette has been incorporated into the salad, sprinkle the flowers over it.
Peas are beginning to mature and being harvest this week. We are offering this year snap and snow peas. Remember that snap peas do not require the shell to be removed. Enjoy your fresh peas!
Fennel has a mild anise flavor with celery like crunch. To gain a taste for fennel, we recommend eating it raw. When cooked, the flavor of fennel becomes milder and sweeter.
Garlic scapes come only once a year and what a treat. It can be a substitute for garlic cloves in most recipes. An easy recipe is to chop finely, one or more scapes and sauté in olive oil. Then add your favorite, already steamed vegetables, and mix them well with the scapes. Serve with crostini.
Herb bouquet for this week: Apple Mint, Chives and Orange Mint
Available for Purchase this week:
Herb Bouquet/ $2.25
Eggs: half dozen/ $3.25… Full dozen/$6.50
Mon 21 Jun 2010
Week of June 21, 2010

This photo represents a small share
Bok Choy
Cress
Escarole
Green Mix
Lettuce
This week we introduce cress. A fine specialty green that it is consumed raw in salads or vegetable sandwiches. It has a peppery flavor and half to a cup of leaves is the right amount to add to salads. For a delicious salad add the cress to the green mix and the tender lettuce received this week.
Vinaigrettes are an important component to a refine salad. Too strong and it will overpower the greens to weak and it will be flat. The idea is to combine complimentary greens, and a vinaigrette that enhances the individual flavors of the salad. The following sweet vinaigrette contrast perfectly with chicory greens, such as, endive and escarole.
Honey Vinaigrette:
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
Combine lemon juice, vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Mon 21 Jun 2010
Week of June 14th, 2010

This Photo Represents a Large Share
Lettuce
Green Mix
Bok Choy
Kale
Red Giant
Herb bouquetis included in this week's photo. Herb share members will receive Italian Oregano, Peppermint and Apple Mint.
Films to watch: Food Inc, Food Matters and King Corn.
Recipes: Follow the link to our website page recipes, http://www.purplerainvineyard.com/recipes.php
Wed 9 Jun 2010
Week of June 7, 2010

This Photo Represents a Small Share
Ho Mi Z
Lettuce
Pizzo
Radishes
Spinach
Turnips
Eggs available for Purchase this week:
1/2 dozen/$3.25 dollars
1 dozen/$6.50 dollars.
Enjoy your week!
Wed 2 Jun 2010
Week of May 31, 2010

This Photo Represents a Large Share
Bok Choy
Green Mix
Kale
Lettuce
Mizuna and Mibuna
Red Giant
Did you know that Fruit and Vegetables make up only 10 percent of the average American’s caloric intake? That means 90 percent of calories are consumed from other types of foods. Subsequently this is why the vast majority of agricultural land in our country is growing genetically modified corn and soybeans for feeding livestock and making processed foods. If you have not watched Food Inc. and Food Matters, please do. In the meantime here is another film that we recommend for you to view. King Corn. From each film we watch, there is something to be learned, a change to be made.
Mon 24 May 2010
Week of May 24th, 2010

This Photo Represents a Medium Share
Broccoli
Bok Choy
Escarole
Ruby Streaks
Radishes
Spinach
Our first broccoli of the season is tender and sweet. This variety grows in a stalk form rather than the familiar head style. Stalks are edible. Broccoli will be on rotation. If not received this week, we will be substituting with French Sorrel, French Sorrel .