This week’s harvest: Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Kale, Chard, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Onion, Garlic, Eggplant (group A)

It’s amazing how short, but incredibly productive our season is. It must be the high altitude sun! The majority of our harvest is still ahead of us even as we head into August. The warm season crops start producing slowly but before you know it, there’s too much! That is the case for zucchini already and it is soon to be the case for tomatoes and cucumbers.

You’ll be getting eggplant every other week until frost (we’ll divide the CSA into 2 groups and alternate which group gets eggplant each week). We’re in a time of too much kale and lettuce on the farm. So, if you would like more than what you receive in your CSA, come and get it! The farm is open to you to come pick as much kale and lettuce as you can eat! Just give Linley a call beforehand so we can show you where to go (970-317-0309).

Amazingly, the biggest complaint about most CSA’s are that people receive more produce than they can use and they feel wasteful. Don’t let that happen to you! Look online for quick, easy ways to use your produce (juicing is very popular now) and be sure to freeze what you can’t eat each week (if you have time, blanching for 1 minute in boiling water reduces the space it takes up in the freezer). Below are a few good recipes that we make routinely.

Kale Chips

1. 1 Bundle Kale – remove ribs and chop or rip coarsely (about 1-2 inch pieces)
2. 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (the kale won’t crispen if you use too much)
3. Sprinkle with sea salt (you can add cumin, red pepper or any favorite spice)
4. Bake 300, 20 minutes stirring half way through.

Veggie Frittata

1. 1 Tablespoon olive oil
2. 1 sweet white onion
3. 1 cup chopped kale
4. ¼ cup zucchini
5. salt and pepper
6. 2 eggs, whisked with 2 Tablespoons milk
7. Garnish with fresh herbs – cilantro, basil or dill

In a large skillet, add oil, onion, kale and zucchini. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes. Turn heat to low and pour eggs over vegetables, and cover until cooked through (about 5 minutes.