Summer CSA Newsletter: September 24th, 2024 (Week 18)

Sweet peppers! Chop these up and throw them into the freezer for a great addition to winter soups, pasta dishes, and sauces with some sweet summer flavor.

Hi Folks,

Week XVIII.

This Friday is our On Farm Event! Come hang out with us and take a wagon ride tour of the farm to see where the veggies in your shares are grown.

Summer may be officially over, but we still have some seasonal favorites available in the online market! Stock up on tomatoes, herbs and peppers while they're fresh! Below I’ve listed some tips and recipes for storing these veggies for use throughout the winter season, so you can enjoy those delicious summer flavors all winter long. (These tips and recipes are great for some of the veggies in your CSA shares as well!)

We also have TONS of delicious Poblano peppers, available in quarts and 1/2 bushels. These peppers are perfect for stuffing. 

HERBS:

Freezing herbs can be very easy! Grab an ice cube tray, and fill each cube with a few sprigs of herbs.  Then, fill the remaining space in each little cube with either water or olive oil. These frozen herb cubes keep the delicious fresh flavor of the herbs intact, and are perfect for tossing into soups, pasta dishes, or making teas! 

TOMATOES:

Making sauce can be a lot of work, but don’t forget that you can also dehydrate tomatoes, can, or freeze them!
 

Hot or Raw Pack Canned Cherry Tomatoes: https://ladyleeshome.com/canning-cherry-tomatoes/

Dehydrating Tomatoes in the oven:

https://southernandmodern.com/oven-dried-tomatoes/

Freeze them (they can be used later for sauces and salsas):

https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/three-ways-freeze-fresh-raw-tomatoes

ZUCCHINI:

Freeze Zucchini for later: https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-to-freeze-zucchini

Canned Zucchini for soups and casseroles: https://www.frugalfarmwife.com/article/canning-zucchini-how-to-do-it-the-easy-way/

Freeze Zucchini Bread! After the bread has cooled, wrap it in a few layers of plastic wrap, and store in a plastic bag, or wrap again in foil, in the freezer for a few months. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is even better. Then, take the bread out of the freezer, thaw, and throw it in the oven at 300F until it’s warm. 

GREEN BEANS: 

Pickled Green Beans: https://www.rachelcooks.com/pickled-green-beans/

Tips for Freezing Green Beans: https://www.allrecipes.com/how-to-freeze-green-beans-7724738#:~:text=Green%20beans%20can%20be%20frozen,microorganisms%20and%20dirt%2C%20preventing%20deterioration.

PEPPERS:

To freeze them: Cut and core the peppers however you prefer, and then lay them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once thoroughly frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for longer storage. 

Peppers can also be dehydrated, and dehydrated peppers are great for casseroles, soups, and stews. 

You can also core and freeze whole peppers and use them later for stuffed peppers! 

AGUAYMENTO + HUSK CHERRIES:

Dehydrate these fruits for a sweet winter snack, or make a small batch of jam! 

Ground Cherry Preserves: https://www.tyrantfarms.com/recipe-tyrant-farms-ground-cherry-preserves/

ONIONS + GARLIC:

Dehydrate onions and Garlic and make your own seasoning powder. 

Pickled Garlic: https://growagoodlife.com/pickled-garlic/

Or combine some of the above vegetables in a Vegetable Stock, and then can for soups, stews, and crock pot meals.https://www.thepurposefulpantry.com/how-to-can-vegetable-stock/

Your Farmers, 

Chris, Aeros & The Who Crew