Sometimes,the farm share is an opportunity to try new things. Like arugula, black radishes, kale, or baby bok choi. But sometimes, we're not even sure what
that thing is. Is it really supposed to look like that? Did something happen to it? Most importantly,
What do I do with it?
Here's a message received last week from Biorn in Brookline, MA a member of Enterprise Farm's share program:
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| Photo: Biorn Maybury-Lewis |
"Our farm share came with baby bok choy that we found full of small holes and splotches as well as wilted. Is this normal?"
Good question, Biorn! Looking at the photo he'd attached, I knew it was the same baby bok choi I'd cooked for breakfast the other day. And I realized that not everybody knows what to expect when organic greens come from the farm to their table. Here is an opportunity to explain.
1.
Yes, these greens are normal.
They have been cosmetically damaged by a harmless critter known as the flea beetle. Flea beetles live in the soil in certain parts of our fields. They will nibble on the leaves from time to time, creating teeny holes without actually damaging the crop. We sometimes use fabric row covers to deter flea beetles, but these baby bok choi were not under any kind of cover -- hence the holes and splotches. But they are ok to eat, and they are delicious!
2. But what about the wilting? This is a question worth addressing, especially if your summer share spends any kind of time in transit. Sooner or later, you will arrive home with sad-looking greens. But do not panic. They can be revived!
Wilted greens are not as vibrant-looking as those that have just been picked, because they have lost water content. A soak in cool water for 5 to 30 minutes will freshen them up. Then, all you need to do is zip them into a plastic bag and refrigerate. Or you can do as Biorn likes to do with greens: wrap them in wet newspaper, then bag and refrigerate.
