Check in if you belong to a CSA!

**Susanscraps** · 06-05-2008, 03:41 PM

I'm not sure if this fits under "Gardening" or not...but I just picked up my first box of veggies this afternoon. My car smelled HEAVENLY of garlic and onions on the way home!
I have 6 very large bags STUFFED with 3 kinds of lettuce, also garlic, onions, sugar snap peas, fresh honey, and some "unknown" herb! (it almost looks like leaf lettuce...any ideas?) We will be having a very large salad tonight! I will also be sharing with my parents and a friend. If there are any Frugal Villagers in North Huntingdon, I would love to share a bag with you!

So, what was in your first box? I am so looking forward to the next 19 weeks! Thanks for letting me share!

**The Muse** · 06-05-2008, 03:45 PM

Mmmm...honey! I'm a bit envious of your goodies. There weren't any CSA shares available within a reasonable distance from me.

I hope others check in so I can hear about everyone's goodies. I'm wierd like that

**IntlMom** · 06-05-2008, 03:49 PM

I have a "half share" that I purchased for the summer season. I have gotten three boxes so far, and will get another tomorrow. So far, I have gotten greens (mustard greens, kale, leaf lettuces, swiss chard- my fav!) green onions, some strawberries, radishes, rhubarb, and half a cabbage. I have garden as well, but this is a new CSA, and I wanted to try it out and support the farmer.

**Susanscraps** · 06-05-2008, 05:12 PM

Traci! Finally found someone who "loves" swiss chard! We received an over abundance of swiss chard last season, and a lot of it went to waste. I would love to have any recipes you use! Also, I prepared our very large salad tonight, and then found out (via the farm's newsletter) that I had actually put a fair amount of baby chard in my salad....I guess I need a class in veggie identification.

Will it still taste ok, being that it wasn't cooked? I hate to sit and try and figure out what is baby chard vs leaf lettuce/salad greens!

**Parksfamily5** · 06-05-2008, 05:37 PM

I tried to sighn up for a CSA but the ones around me were already full for the year. I had never heard of them before I saw a link on this forum. I am going to try for next year!
Heidi

**Michelle** · 06-05-2008, 06:02 PM

I'm living vicariously through the members here. It was just too expensive for us to do w/o hearing from others who have taken part (in the one local to us). Plus I have a pretty picky family!

**IntlMom** · 06-05-2008, 06:03 PM

oh yea, baby chard will be just fine in salad.......I love it chopped (stems and leaves) then sauted in a bit of evoo, hit with some s&p and a splash of vinegar!

**IntlMom** · 06-05-2008, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle

I'm living vicariously through the members here. It was just too expensive for us to do w/o hearing from others who have taken part (in the one local to us). Plus I have a pretty picky family!

Well, the reality is, they are pricey. I pay 10.00 a week for a "half share", yea, it;s expensive, and quite frankly, it's a new CSA, and the farmer is new at it.........so it's not exactly the greatest. BUT, I want to support the local efforts for local, fresh food, you know?

**HandyMom** · 06-06-2008, 01:22 AM

I belong to an organic CSA this year for the first time. Since we had a late, wet spring, our fresh veggies won't be coming until the second weekend of June. I can hardly wait to see what we're getting, though!

I like swiss chard, too. I used to grow it from seed at one of the apartments I lived at, right outside one of my windows. It was one of the few things I planted that did well. I treat it just like spinach and after it's cooked & drained, I add butter and lots of garlic & sea salt.

**Susanscraps** · 06-06-2008, 07:43 AM

Thanks everyone! We really enjoyed our fresh salad last night. Now I will be planning my meals around the veggies we have in our box!
I'll try the swiss chard recipes again, and maybe add more seasonings...my family was unimpressed last year!