foxlinecityfarm

Such a colorful box this week….enjoy the bounty!

WHAT IS IN YOUR BOX

Lettuce-This will be the end of the lettuce for awhile.  Surprisingly we had major bolting of 3 varieties last week in the few days of heat.  Very disappointing.  We tossed them in the compost after a field taste test and all was quite bitter.  We have more lettuce planted but it is a few weeks out.   That said, there will be no shortage of leafy greens.  The spinach is chugging along nicely and the arugula is around the corner too!

Winter Squash-The first gem of the season. A pretty little guy called Autumn Crown with beautiful and fragrant orange flesh. It is actually in the pumpkin family.  Prepare it as you would any favorite winter squash recipe.  It will keep several weeks on the counter so enjoy it as seasonal decor for awhile.

Celery-The robust flavor of homegrown celery is amazing!  I made a big pot of soup over the weekend and this celery sure enhanced the flavor.  We love to add the leaves to our sandwiches and salads too.

Beets-A colorful mix.  Remember the greens are edible and tasty too.  We add them to stir fry or as a side dish slightly wilted with garlic and onion.

Green Beans-Our final planting has just started to produce….it is a nice late season treat.

Pepper Medley-We picked these the morning after the heavy rainstorm so a few may need a quick rinse.  It has been a wonderful pepper year for us but I can tell the plants are now slowing down with the cooler nights.  The mix is our usual mix of the last few weeks.  All sweet or slightly hot EXCEPT! for the small shiny green jalapeños.

Chard-A mix of my 3 favorite colors….

Zucchini-The new patch is starting to really produce now if the temperatures hold.  Try making some zucchini fritters this week.

Cucumbers-REALLY!  Well, I said last week (again) was the end and then we never got the vines pulled down and cleaned up….and then I was out in that area of the garden and noticed they had one last hurrah.  A surprise to me but I am glad as we munch on these all day as a quick snack.

Cherry Tomatoes-A pint this week as the vines are slowing down with the cold evenings.

Paste/Slice Tomatoes-We have TONS! of paste tomatoes this week….and limited slicers.  The vines are loaded with tons of fruit but  slower to ripen with the days growing shorter and the cool nights.

The beautiful beet harvest this week!

It really is my favorite time of year.  I love the cold mornings, wearing a hat and thick socks and several layers of shirts that get peeled off as the day warms up.  I love the smell in the garden too with the seasonal change to autumn.  And my number 1 favorite activity is the winter squash/pumpkin harvest which we started yesterday.  It is so much fun finding all those beauties under the big leaves.  Always a surprise or 2.  We found some huge! heirloom pumpkins hiding  in with the brussels sprouts and I actually laughed out loud.  I think I said to Scott 5 times….”I’m so happy right now!”…..

Malachi helping with the start of the winter squash harvest. Note the cold season broccoli plants at his feet. Our experiment this year…these plants are suppose to handle a few light frosts.

Scott is way back there looking for some more winter squash hiding in the brussels sprouts…..

I had to show you the sweet potato row….all the way to the tree line…..we hope to start digging this week. Looks to be an amazing harvest.