Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #2
June 2-8, 2019

If needed, please contact Richard Andres & Deb Lentz at 2510 Hayes Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118 e-mail: tantrefarm@hotmail.com phone: 734-475-4323 website: www.tantrefarm.com.

In our newsletter, we try to give you an accurate listing of the produce in your box; however, since the newsletter is published before the harvest, we may sometimes substitute some vegetables for others.  The information provided here is also published each week on our website.  **Also, if you’re having trouble identifying any unfamiliar produce, please look for “Veggie ID” with additional information on our website under CSA INFO or under RECIPES.

THIS WEEK’S SHARE

ARUGULA (Sylvetta): All members will receive this also known as “wild rocket” with more deeply lobed leaves and a more pungent flavor; an aromatic, salad green with a peppery mustard flavor.
-How to use: great in salads, soups, and sautéed vegetable dishes
-How to store: very perishable, so use up quickly; store in plastic bag with a paper towel in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

ASPARAGUS:  All members will receive these green or purple spears; each contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as iron.
– How to use: serve raw, chopped in salads, or with dips. You can also steam, roast, grill.
– How to store: wrap in damp cloth and plastic bag, then refrigerate. Alternatively, bundle spears with rubber band and place upright in container with an inch of water.

BEETS (Red Ace):  Friday/Saturday members only will receive these large, round, smooth, deep red roots with sweet flavor.
-How to use:  roots good in soups, stews, roasted, boiled, steamed, excellent grated raw into salads or baked goods.
-How to store: store unwashed in plastic bags in hydrator drawer of refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

BOK CHOY (Joi Choi): All members will receive this green written as bok choi, bak choy, a traditional stir-fry vegetable from China with a sweet and mild flavor; looks like white Swiss chard with the stems all attached at the bottom; considered a cool weather crop and part of the cabbage or turnip family.
-How to use: two vegetables in one–the leaves can be cooked like spinach, and the crisp stem can be eaten like celery or asparagus; excellent in stir-fries, soups, sauteed or eaten raw.
-How to store: store as you would any green–in a loose plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

DAIKON RADISH: Wednesday members only will receive K-N Bravo Radish (looks like an overgrown carrot with internal color  pale purple with purple streaks; roots average 8- to 9-inches by 2 1/2- to 3-inches with good, sweet, eating quality).
-How to use: excellent julienned or sliced and used in a salad or tossed with your favorite vinaigrette; good eaten fresh, cooked, or pickled
-How to store: not as hardy as you may think, so store wrapped in plastic to keep them crisp for up to 2 weeks in refrigerator.

FRESH HERBS:  In general, store herbs upright with cut stems in 1 or 2 inches of water and refrigerate for up to 1 week or wrap in slightly dampened cloth or plastic bag and store in refrigerator.  
**You may CHOOSE or RECEIVE ONE bunch (NOT one bunch of each) from the following 4 options:
*Chamomile— These small, daisy-like flowers are best known for making a soothing tea; also the flowers make a pretty garnish and a flavorful addition to salads.  The whole bundle can be used fresh or dried upside down for a week or two, and then the flowers plucked and put into a jar for a restful, calming, sleepy time tea for the winter. (See feature article!)
 *Chives—mild, onion-flavored herb with long, slender, hollow leaves; can be added to potato salad, baked potatoes, soups, salads, omelets, dips and spreads, pastas and sauces.; purple, onion-flavored blossoms add an attractive  garnish to soups or salads (stems attached to blossoms are often discarded due to toughness).
*Oregano—This member of the mint family is similar to marjoram, but not as sweet and more pungent, spicy flavor and aroma; good in soups and tomato-based dishes.  
*Thyme– tiny green leaves used in meat and vegetable dishes and most casseroles, soups, stews, and medicinal teas, which soothe sore throats.  

KALE (Red Russian): All members will receive these cooking greens with stems that are purple, and leaves are deep gray-green, purple-veined, flat, non-curled, and tooth-edged). Kale has a sweet, mild, cabbage flavor and are interchangeable with broccoli, mustard greens, and other hearty greens in recipes; high in vitamins A and C and has the highest protein content of all cultivated vegetables.
-How to use: for salads, soups, and light cooking.
-How to store: keep in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

LETTUCE:  All members will receive 2-3 heads of Green Leaf lettuce.
-How to use: raw in salads, sandwiches, or use in soups
-How to store:  refrigerate in plastic bag for 3-5 days.

POTATOES (Kerr’s Pink):  Wednesday members only will receive this very pale skin and cream flesh potato; mealy, cooked texture, so makes a good specialty/salad potato variety.
-How to use: good baked, boiled, roasted or in potato salads
-How to store: keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag; ideal temperature is 38-40 degrees with 80-90 percent humidity; a basement or very cool closet will work. 

RADISHES (Pink Beauty): Friday/Saturday members will receive this pink-colored root with mild, spicy flavor.
-How to use: raw, roasted, used in soups, sliced in salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries, grated in slaws; radish greens are delicious in soups or stir-fries and are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C.
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag/damp towel for 1-2 weeks.

SCALLIONS (also called “Green Onions”): All members will receive young shoots of red or green onions with long green stalks and milder tasting than large bulb onions; full of great fiber and antioxidants, high in potassium and source of vitamins C and B-6.
-How to use: the bulb, flowers, and green leaves are edible; can be cooked, grilled, roasted whole as a vegetable; chopped in salads, soups, and other dishes for flavor.
-How to store: refrigerate in damp towel/plastic bag for 5-7 days.

SPINACH (Red Kitten):  All members will receive a bunch of this crisp, medium green leaf with red veins; high in beneficial chlorophyll, as well as vitamins A & C.
– How to use:  juiced, toss in fresh salad, add to sandwiches, sauté, steam, braise, or add to crepes, quiche, lasagna, and soups.
– How to store: refrigerate with a damp towel/bag for up to 1 week.

WHITE HAKUREI TURNIPS and GREENS: All members will receive a bunch of white salad turnips with round, smooth roots that have a sweet, fruity flavor with a crisp, tender texture.  Both roots (good source of Vitamin C, potassium, and calcium) and greens are edible!  
-How to use: roots and greens good in salads and soups; can be roasted, steamed, or sauteed.
-How to store: remove greens from turnip root and store separately in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 3 days; roots can last up to 1-2 weeks in refrigerator.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. PAYMENTS DUE:  If you still owe money, you will see it in the Balance Due column on the Pick up Sheet.  Please let us know if you think there is a mistake.   Please finalize payments as soon as possible during the month of June.

2. PLANT WALK SERIES June 26 from 6-8 PM (Last Wednesday of every month May through October)
We are offering a monthly plant walk at Tantre Farm with the guidance of our local foraging expert, Rachel Mifsud. On these leisurely walks we will be looking for edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plants and mushrooms that are ready for harvest. It’s a pretty slow pace, and we typically don’t travel more than about half a mile, but we rarely stick directly to the trails, so dress to be on uneven ground, dirt, grass, and maybe even get into the weeds and mud a bit. The walks can accommodate slower moving individuals and children (who like to learn about plants), as long as you can handle the terrain. We typically discuss around 12-15 plants. The primary focus will be foraging for food items; however, other wild goods such as medicines and hygiene products will also be discussed. The cost is $15 for Tantre CSA members or $20 for nonmembers. You may bring cash, check or pre-register at  https://squareup.com/store/willforageforfood.

3. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER:
**If you need to switch to different pick up sites throughout the season that usually works for all but the “limited sites”, using the Membership Actions section on the registration page.  These sites have less space to drop share boxes at, so are considered “limited”. Please always email ahead to see if they are at capacity before making any switches on your own.
*Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)—7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
*MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
*Farm (Wed.)—10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
*Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.)—6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
*Pure Pastures (Wed.) (limited site) —10 A.M. To 7 P.M.
*Farm (Fri.)—2 P.M. to 7 P.M.
*Community High School (Sat.) —7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
*Washtenaw Food Hub (Sat.)—9 A.M. to 12 P.M.
*Chelsea Farmers’ Market (Sat.)—8 A.M. to 12 P.M.
*Argus-Packard (Sat) (limited site)—10 A.M. to 6 P.M.

INTRODUCING CHAMOMILE
Since Chamomile is an herb that many of you may not know much about, and we have a lot of it flowering this week, we would like to introduce you to each other.  If you have never tried fresh chamomile, this is your chance to enjoy its soothing, calming qualities.

Chamomile has long been one of the most popular herbal teas in Europe where it is sometimes served in hospitals to calm patients. Chamomile tea aids digestion, is calming, and sleep inducing. It relaxes nerves and reduces inflammation. The flavor is delicate, soothing, slightly sweet, and pleasantly bitter. The aroma is reminiscent of that of apples.

Chamomile can be dried in the shade in a warm, well-ventilated area on a nylon or stainless steel screen, in a shallow box, or loosely in a paper bag. (If you’re drying the herbs in a paper bag, punch many holes in the bag for ventilation.) Some have found that drying herbs in a paper bag in the backseat of their car to be very effective. You can also tie herbs in small bunches and string them up in the attic or warm room to dry. The flowers will dry in four to seven days. When leaves and flowers crumble between your fingers that is a good indication they are dry enough. If they bend and remain flexible they probably still contain moisture that needs to evaporate. Store in glass jars or labeled paper bag.

Before brewing the flowers into tea, crush them a bit – rubbing them between your fingers, using a mortar and pestle or chopping them with a knife. 1 tablespoon of flowers should be steeped no longer than three to five minutes to prevent the development of a bitter flavor.

Chamomile has many other uses as well. It is excellent in compresses and salves for treating skin inflammation, burns, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and external ulcers. It can be used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat, as a mouthwash to treat gingivitis, as a poultice to relive a toothache, and as an eyewash to treat conjunctivitis and sties. Chamomile can be used as a bath herb to relieve stress, nourish dry skin and calm cranky children.  Enjoy chamomile’s many qualities!

RECIPES

CHAMOMILE LEMONADE (from www.vegetariantimes.com)
If chamomile is not your cup of tea, this refreshing lemonade is a great new way to give the flower a try.
3/4 cup cane sugar
2 Tbsp grated lemon zest
5 Tbsp fresh or dried chamomile flowers, or 6 chamomile tea bags
3/4 cup lemon juice
Lemon slices, for garnish
         Combine sugar, lemon zest, and 2 cups water in saucepan.  Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Remove from heat, and add chamomile flowers.  Cool.  Strain chamomile mixture into 2-quart pitcher; stir in lemon juice and 3 cups water.  Serve over ice with lemon slices, or store, covered, in refrigerator up to 5 days.

INDIAN STYLE TURNIPS OR RADISH (contributed by CSA member, Anu Whitelocke)
Serve as side dish or main meal for one person.
1 bunch turnips & greens and/or 1 bunch radishes & greens (chopped)
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1-2 Tbsp oil
Chili powder, to taste
Salt, to taste
1 tsp coriander powder
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
         In saute pan, heat oil on high heat.  Add turmeric, mustard seeds, chili powder, coriander powder, salt.  Stir over med-high heat for 2-3 min.  Add turnips (root) and coat well with oil/spice mixture.  Cook over med-high heat for a couple of minutes.  Add garlic scapes and greens.  Continue to cook on med-high heat for a couple of minutes.  Turn heat down to low and cover for 5 minutes.