Local Flavor

I've been called everything to from "granola head" to "juice coach" and even accused of wearing hemp socks, so it didn't think it would really come as a shock to anyone that I decided to join a CSA this year. Yet, the joke was on me because anyone I mention this to, looks at me as though I'm speaking Cantonese. "CSA? Huh?" 

Since many of my recipes hereafter will be prompted by the dirt covered bunches of veggies I receive in the CSA shipment each Tuesday, I decided it would be a good idea to explain.

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture is essentially paying in advance for a portion of a local farm's organic harvest. In exchange for supporting the farm, you receive "a share" of whatever fruits and veggies are growing on the farm that week. I joined Stonelegde Farm which is family-owned and operated in the Northern Catskills in upstate NY. 

This week the share contained squash, Japanese eggplant, tomatoes, purple onion, rhubarb,  parsley, and my favorite summer fruit: blueberries, peaches and plums. The ever-changing variety of goodies keeps me cooking at home and exploring new recipes.


And if my coworkers didn't already think I'm a nut, now every Tuesday when I decline happy hour invitations and work dinners to "pick up my veggies" they get a good chuckle. Laugh all you want... I'll be eating my humble (blueberry) pie.