June 12, 2024 – Verde Valley CSA

Although the June heat has finally arrived in earnest, this week’s share is still showcasing the cooler weather crops. A few new additions this week are arugula, fennel, and kohlrabi. Although arugula is a salad staple at this point (and in my mind makes pretty much anything savory taste better when a little arugula is sprinkled on top), fennel and kohlrabi might be new for some of you.

Kohlrabi is in the cabbage family and has a taste and texture similar to broccoli stalks. Both the bulb and leaves are edible and it can be eat raw or cooked. Slice the bulb and eat like fresh carrot, add it to a salad, or stir fry or roast it. Fennel has a more distinct flavor similar to anise. Like kohlrabi, the bulbs and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Fennel is often roasted whole if the bulbs are small, or in half if the bulbs are bigger. It can be added to salad or sautéed as well. We hope you enjoy these special veggies as we usually only have them in our shares once or twice a season, if at all! I have included a recipe below for a fennel kohlrabi salad.

Our Sedona distribution location slipped through the cracks of the City of Sedona’s planning process for the construction of their new pickleball courts, thus the confusion at last week’s distribution. After calling the Parks and Recreation Department on Thursday morning we were informed that we will not be able to distribute at our normal location for the remainder of the season. So we will be moving to another area of Posse Grounds Park, where we used to have our distribution a number of years ago. Beginning this week, we will distribute produce in the breezeway of the restroom building beside the playground at Posse Grounds Park. Take the first left turn into the park as you drive up Posse Ground Rd. and the restroom building will be straight ahead as you pull into the long parking lot.

Flower shares begin this week! We are so unbelievably lucky to have a local farm growing flowers at this scale. Whipstone Farm’s flower operation has grown over the years to become a true model of flower farming in the high desert. We are so happy to share these bouquets with you and hope you will love them as much as we do! For tips on caring for your flowers, check out the Whipstone Farm website.

Have a cool week!
Meghan

What’s in your basket – June 12th

Arugula – Whipstone Farm
Bok choy – Willowbrook Farm
Fennel – Whipstone Farm
Kale – Willowbrook Farm
Kohlrabi – Whipstone Farm
Salad mix – Willowbrook Farm

Summer squash are starting to set.

Perfect kale at Willowbrook Farm.

These bok choy are so pretty!

Little lettuce plants in the greenhouse.