September 7, 2012
The CSA at Arrowhead
Display of Cherry Tomatoes
In This Issue:
This Week's Share
At the "Market"
New Pick Up Hours
Tomatoes
Right to the Core
Peaches & Nectarines
Interesting Quotes
BIG Zucchini
CSA at Arrowhead Logo
This Week's Share
Will likely include PLENTY of Tomatoes, Sweet Hungarian Peppers,
Kale, Melons, Green Beans (Jade variety---the BEST), Onions, Cukes, Zucchini, Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, plenty of Fresh Herbs for the cutting, Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes, lots of Flowers for a great Summer Bouquet and more nice Sweet Corn that Rob Bartlett has grown for us. Hope to see you at the Farm.
Newburyport Farmers' Market Logo
At the 'Market'
More than thirty VARIETIES of Heirloom Tomatoes, Jade Green Beans, Italian and Adriatic Sweet Peppers, Kale, Fresh Baby Greens, Sweet Basil for your Tomatoes, Mint for your Summer Iced Tea....here's an idea, why not pick up an iced tea at White Heron and stop by Arrowhead for a fresh sprig of mint to put in it. We'll cut it fresh for you, (no charge),------likely the last of the Summer Peaches and Nectarines and maybe a few berries. Hope to see you at the Market. 
CSA at Arrowhead Logo
New Pick Up Hours
THIS WILL BE THE LAST  SUNDAY (9/9/2012)  FOR SELF-SERVICE CSA SHARE PICK UP. AFTER THIS WEEK VOLUNTEERS WILL BE ON HAND TO GREET YOU AND HELP WITH YOUR SHARES ON SATURDAYS FROM 11 TO 3 AND ON MONDAYS FROM 9 TO NOON. 
 
We will be closed on Sunday afternoons.
And the Winner is....

 

Actually there are two winners in the seed box contest. The total cost, with postage, of that particular box of seed for the Mid-Winter Share was $369.00. Christine Fichera and Yvonne McQuilkin both guessed $360.00. So, we must award two prizes. Both will receive a Full Late Season Vegetable/Fruit/Herb Share. Congratulations to you both!

 

This Share, which runs through November and December, is always voted the most favored Share by the CSA Members. Last year it received a rating of 10.6 on a scale of 1 to 10!

 

The Share includes Brussels Sprouts, Rutabaga, Kale, Leeks, Carrots, Lettuces, Cabbage, Potatoes, Winter Squashes, New England Pie Pumpkins, Turnips, Daikon and other Winter Sweet Radishes, Broccoli along with plenty of Fall Greens such as Sessantina, Spinach, Spigareillo, Mustards, Chinese Cabbage, Bok Choy, and lots of fresh Herbs. The Share also includes a different Apple or Pear variety each week. A real Fall Feast.

 

Again, congratulations to Christine and Yvonne for their very close estimates. And many thanks to all who took the time to participate. And thanks also to Jean for running this fun event-----hope your interview this week was a huge success.
 
IF YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THE ABOVE WINNERS THE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE LATE SEASON SHARE IS NOW!  One of the basic tenets of CSA is that the Members provide the funds in time to help grow the crop..

 

You can bring a check to the Farm this Saturday, 11 to 3, or the Newburyport Farmers' Market this Sunday 9 to 1, or to the farm this Monday from 9 to noon.To use a credit card you may use PayPal through the website. THANK YOU.
Tomatoes
Member-picked tomato collection
This is the peak of Tomato season here at Arrowhead. All CSA Members are invited to pick all the Tomatoes they can use this week. Think up some recipes to use or preserve them and don't be bashful about taking just as many as you want Friends and others may pick Tomatoes for a charge of $2 per pound. And these are super quality, no-spray Tomatoes. And please send in your recipes to share in this newsletter. Thanks.

Right to the Core

A bit more on the North American Apple crop this Fall. Last week we discussed the acute shortage of Apples due to the warm weather in February and March and then the freeze in April. It seems that the freeze was worse than originally thought. A good bit of damage is now becoming apparent that was un-noticed earlier in the growing season.

 

It now appears that even the buds that set fruit had suffered some freeze damage and their seeds are sterile and not maturing normally. This is causing the fruit to stop sizing and ripen early. Many varieties will be mis-shapened and on the small side. While this is more or less severe on different varieties of Apples, it will make for an even smaller crop than was anticipated just a week ago. However, the fruits taste good and will last through the fall. But last week I warned you to expect high prices for Apples and Apple products this year. Now I must warn you of even higher prices. We will have to wait for a good crop from the Southern Hemisphere in March and April to fill the Super (what's so super about them?) Market shelves. Meantime---enjoy the crop we have right now.
Peaches & Nectarines

We have started picking the latest varieties of our Stone Fruit crop this week and next week will be the end of Peaches and Nectarines until July---so best to enjoy a few more of these summer treats now.

 

The Peach cultivar this week is an old time favorite from the late nineteenth century, Madison, named after the President of the same name. And the Nectarine cultivar is new to Arrowhead---Sun Glow---a late season, small but very tasty Nectarine. Don't miss out on the last of them!
Interesting Quotes Sent In

When asked "What thing about humanity surprises you the most?", the Dalai Lama answered:
     "Man.... Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."
~ Dalai Lama XIV 

 

 

 
Marinara Sauce made with assorted tomatoes.  
Thank you so much for the extra Tomatoes today, I made the best marinara sauce I've ever had! I blame the ingredients :)
~ Joan & Brian
My, Those Zucchini are BIG!

But fortunately Paula has a great recipe for Zucchini Bread. And it freezes well, too. 
 

Zucchini Bread/Muffins

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil (or � cup oil and � cup applesauce)

3 teaspoons Vanilla

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

� teaspoon baking powder

2 cups grated raw zucchini

 

Preheat oven to 350�. Beat eggs in large bowl for 5 minutes, or until pale and thickened. Mix dry ingredients together in another bowl and set aside. Prepare two loaf pans or five mini-loaf pans.

 

Slowly add sugar to the eggs and continue beating. On slow speed, add oil and vanilla. Gently mix in zucchini. Fold in dry ingredients until all moistened and pour into prepared pans, level each carefully. Bake for 1 hour in loaf pans or 30 minutes in min-loaf pans

 

Optional ingredients:  chopped nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dates, craisins, currants

  

  

And from the young couple that live at the Emery Farm in West Newbury comes this suggestion:

 

Take your largest Zucchini. Don't peel. Grate, preferably by hand. Pat grated squash dry with paper towels. Seal in freezer bags in the serving/recipe sizes you prefer and place in the freezer. Enjoy all winter. That's all there is to it.

 

For those that won't eat anything vegetable comes this delicious recipe from Dr. Stephanie:

 

 

Chocolate Zucchini Loaf 

� cup butter

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 � cups sifted flour

� cup cocoa

1 tsp salt

2 � tsp baking powder

1 � tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups zucchini, grated

� cup milk   

2 tsp vanilla

chocolate chips (optional)

 

 

Preheat oven to 350�F.  Sift dry ingredients.  Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, mix well.  Add dry ingredients alternating with milk.  Fold in zucchini.  Add vanilla and chocolate chips.  Bake in 2 greased and floured loaf pans for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Whole Wheat Zucchini Nut Bread/Muffins

 

Gluten Free Zucchini Bread 

 

 

Enjoy that Zucchini! 

 

3 lb. zucchini on scale  

 
It's STILL Summer, folks, best be enjoying it!

 

CHEERS,
DICK CHASE