CSA Farms Signing up for 2008

The snow outside is piling up, but local farmers are thinking spring. CSA farms are starting to sign up members for the 2008 growing season. CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a partnership between a farmer and members who purchase a share in the harvest before the season begins. Doing so helps spread both the risk and the rewards of farming. And it's always fun to see what's available in the weekly pick-up. Check out the local CSA farms to find one right for you. Don't delay...many of them have waiting lists!

Hoop House at Black Star Farms

MSU's Project Green has granted funds to Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay to build a hoop house. While only the hoops were visible through most of the fall, Halloween marked the application of the vinyl. With help from other local grant recipients, the farm, winery and tasting room staff helped to - literally - hold down the fort while the vinyl was tacked in place. Nic had prepared the soil well, and now has lettuces growing. He's hoping to have fresh produce available ten months of the year and to have a year-round CSA organized for next year.

CSA, Wine, and a Variety of Culinary Classes at NMC

Check out Northwestern Michigan College's winter schedule of community classes, where you'll find several of interest to local foodies. NMC offers gift certificates for a class, and you save five bucks if you purchase one ($25 or more) by December 18. That'd be a fun stocking stuffer! Here are just a few of the offerings.

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Deceptively Delicious - Mama’s little secret

Spinach in Blueberry Oatmeal Bars? Squash in the French Toast? The new cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, founder of the nonprofit Baby Buggy, and mother of three) takes on the challenge of getting kids to eat their vegetables. Seinfeld's main technique is to puree a wide variety of vegetables and add them to your standard fare. An added bonus is that this technique is a great way to use up the abundance of a CSA farm pickup! Just puree and freeze!

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Spaghetti Squash

Here are a few ideas for spaghetti squash. The squash is low in calories, just 42 per cup, and is filling and nutritious. It also freezes well, so you can pack cooked squash in freezer bags for later use. Many folks add a tomato sauce to enjoy this winter squash. My mom makes a great recipe "Spaghetti Squash with Cheese." But my favorite recipe is the simplest by far! Do you have any favorite ways to prepare spaghetti squash?

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Rustic Tasting

Last weekend we dropped in at the Front Porch in Suttons Bay, where Marie Hanis was offering samples and signing copies of her new book cookbook, the Rustic Gourmet. We sampled both the Roasted Eggplant Tomato Spread and the Pumpkin Fudge. With more eggplant from this week's CSA pickup at Sweeter Song Farm, I thought I'd give the veggie spread a try. Yum!

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What to do with that cabbage?

When picking up my produce from Sweeter Song this week, a fellow shareholder wondered what ELSE to do with green cabbage. Thought I'd post this simple recipe that I've enjoyed for Stir-Fried Green Cabbage with Fennel Seeds, from Madhur Jaffrey's Quick and Easy Indian Cooking. Delicious!

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A Day in the Life - CSA Farmers Judy Reinhardt and Jim Schwantes

We thought it'd be fun to share "A Day In the Life" of our area foodies. CSA farmers Judy Reinhardt and Jim Schwantes graciously agreed to share this write-up from their Notes from the Farm they distribute to their CSA shareholders. Pick-up day starts bright and early!

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