April 28th, 2010 by Margie

Dear Vegetable Husband Customer,

I want you to know that our countryside around the state is getting more and more beautiful with the changing weather.  I find myself driving down the same two lane on my way to the same farm but suddenly thinking that I have missed my turn.  Every week the same area looks so different.  Be sure to look around and notice all the wonderful changes in our own intown streets as well.  I know it’s hard to see beyond the pollen sometimes but the source of the pollen is quite stunning!

In each basket you have a borrowed fruit from our Florida neighbors.  Many of you have asked that we try to find fruit each week so I am doing my best.  This week I could not get enough berries from our Georgia farms quite yet.  The colder temperatures slow down the warm weather crops.  We will continue to harvest local strawberries in the next few weeks, but for now let’s enjoy the goodness of the Florida Valencia oranges.  These are bright and juicy.  You also have gorgeous European cucumber once again from Woodland Gardens in Winterville, GA.  These were so tasty last week that we all hoped we could get them once more and we were in luck.

I added a wonderful recipe for chard and leek tart on the website to help you use the leeks you have this week.  These are beautiful and came from this morning’s harvest at Whippoorwill Hollow Farm.  The kohlrabi, turnips and the lettuces came from Neil over at Taylor Organics.   These heirloom lettuces make salad a buttery treat.  I am not sure I can go back to restaurant lettuce ever again.  Enjoy!  Below is your list of goodies for this week:

Heirloom Lettuces

Leeks

Rainbow Chard

Kohlrabi

Purple turnips with greens

European cucumber

Cilantro

Oranges

Please think about ways that you can connect yourself to your growing season whether it is food or wonderful flowering plants around you.  I am organizing some summer workshops to help us all think of ways to prep and store our summer harvests for leaner winter months.  Let me know if there is a particular interest you have.  That’s all for now remember, I am always happy to talk food!

Gratefully,
Margie Thorpe