At this time each year I wait and wonder how long it will be until the dreaded week arrives when we don’t get lettuce in our baskets. Alas, that week has finally come. Last year, I believe we only had one week without lettuce before it started up again, but we’ll just have to wait and see how this season shakes out. I don’t know how you feel about it, but I think the lettuces from Willowbrook and Whipstone Farms are the most tender and delicious I have ever tasted, so that is why I wish this week would never come. It is easy to get spoiled by the spectacular fruits and veggies we enjoy throughout the season, and it certainly makes the produce at the grocery store far less appealing. So I just want to say, three cheers for our incredible growers! Their hard work is so appreciated and sooo tasty.
This past week another hail storm hit the Camp Verde area, but luckily Willowbrook Farm’s produce avoided severe damage. While the precipitation is desperately needed, the wild swings in the weather have been a bit harsh this year. One bad hailstorm can destroy a tender crop of greens or downgrade an entire orchard’s worth of fruit. Fingers crossed that other area growers have weathered the storm. Whipstone’s harvest continues to be a bit sparse as they recover from the grasshopper plague and all the twists and turns of this season’s weather.
Despite the bumps along the road, we have the privilege of enjoying a peak summer basket this week. Tomatoes, squash, onions, and potatoes are just begging to be made into ratatouille. Apples, kale, and sprouts are giving me dreams of a fresh, crisp salad with toasted pumpkin seeds. However you choose to enjoy this week’s produce, we are grateful to you for being a part of the CSA.
Have a marvelous week!
Meghan
What’s in your basket – August 16th
Kale – Willowbrook Farm
Onions – Willowbrook Farm
Potatoes – Whipstone Farm
Radish sprouts – Camptown Greens
Summer squash – Whipstone Farm
Tomatoes – Willowbrook Farm
Pretty potatoes.
Hide and seek!
Hail storms just keep coming.
Spaghetti squash coming along.