Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #6
July 3-9, 2016

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.

We try to keep the printed newsletter to a 2-page maximum, which means that we won’t list all the share items’ descriptions every week, but refer you to previous newsletters for information on items that have already appeared in your shares.

THIS WEEK’S SHARE

ARUGULA: an aromatic, bright green, salad green with a peppery mustard flavor; rich in iron and vitamins A and C. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.

BROCCOLI or CABBAGE: You will receive Green Broccoli (deep emerald green, tiny buds that are clustered on top of stout, edible stems; known as an anti-cancer vegetable) or Green Cabbage (a sweet green cabbage; considered a beneficial digestive aid and intestinal cleanser). See Week 5 newsletter for usage and storage information for Broccoli and store Cabbage the same.

CARROTS (Mokum): a very sweet, slender, “pencil carrot” with edible green leaves. Greens are delicious in soups and also salads.
See Week 5 newsletter for usage and storage information.

CUCUMBERS: long, cylindrical, green-skinned fruit of the gourd family with mild, crisp flesh. The thin skin doesn’t typically need peeling, unless waxed for longer shelf life in stores. Some thinner skinned fruits seem to have attracted some insect damage, but just cut off the outer skin and enjoy the inner, juicy parts. See Week 5 newsletter for usage and storage information.

FAVA BEANS: also called faba bean, horse bean, or broad bean; the pod is inedible raw and looks like a large bean pod; the bean seed resembles a lima bean with a tart, pungent flavor; fresh fava beans should be shelled from pod if skin seems tough, but bean seed can be eaten raw. The pod, when cooked, is edible. See recipes below.
-To skin fava beans: Blanch for 1 minute, then drain and cool. With your thumbnail, pull open the sprout end and squeeze the bean out of its skin. This link shows 5 ways to prepare favas: http://www.thekitchn.com/5-fantastic-ways-to-cook-fava-beans-190674
-How to use: Stew skinned beans in a little butter, oil or cream seasoned with savory, thyme or sage. Sauté with other vegetables and toss with pasta. Good in soups. Lots of recipes on the Internet!
-How to store: Store fresh, unshelled beans in the refrigerator up to a week; once shelled, blanched and skinned, favas can be frozen in plastic containers for longer storage; shelled beans are best used within a few days. See “Beans” for recipes in the A to Z Cookbook, if you have it, and also this newsletter. Delicious!

FRESH GARLIC: a bulb of several papery white cloves; believed to help in fighting infections, cancer prevention, bolstering the immune system, lowering blood pressure and preventing heart disease, used as an expectorant or decongestant, and at least some people believe that it can ward off vampires and insects.
-Cooking tips: To mellow garlic’s strong flavors opt for longer cooking; to enjoy its more pungent flavors and increased medicinal benefit, use it raw or with minimal cooking.
-How to use: minced raw in salad dressings, sautéed and added to stir-fries, meats, vegetables; make garlic butter with 1/2 cup of softened butter mashed with four minced cloves of garlic; try roasting garlic by cutting off tops of garlic bulb, so cloves are exposed, brush with olive oil and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees, squeeze garlic out of skins and spread on a good, crusty bread.
-How to store: fresh garlic can be stored in an open, breathable basket in a cool, dark place for many months; if cloves begin to get soft or moldy, break off bad clove and chop up others and pack into small jar filled with olive oil; then refrigerate (great gift idea!).

FRESH HERBS: In general, store herbs upright with cut stems in 1 or 2 inches of water and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or wrap in slightly dampened cloth and store in refrigerator. You may CHOOSE ONE from the following 4 herbs:
–Curly Parsley—curly, dark green leaves, often used as a garnish, but can be used the same as flat-leaf parsley; good in egg dishes, mashed potatoes, soups, sauces, pasta and vegetable dishes.
–Oregano–member of the mint family and is similar to marjoram, but not as sweet and more pungent flavor and aroma; good in soups and tomato-based dishes.
–French Sorrel–slightly tart, lemon-flavored green; excellent for salads, soups, and sauces; can be used in omelets, breads, or cooked as a side dish; leaves are shaped like spinach, but paler green in color; refrigerate in plastic bag for up to 3 days.
–Thyme– tiny green leaves used in meat and vegetable dishes and most casseroles, soups, stews, and medicinal teas, which soothe sore throats. The flowers are edible and make nice garnishes.
*Genovese Basil—ALL SHARES will receive basil this week, an herb with sweet, spicy, shiny, green leaves. We supply it with root attached, so it will last up to a week or 2 when stored in a jar, vase, or glass of water on your counter or table top. Do NOT refrigerate!

KALE (Lacinato): dark green, noncurled, blistered leaves, but heavily savoyed. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.

LETTUCE: You will receive 2 heads of lettuce, which may include Green Leaf, Red Leaf or Romaine. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.

GREEN ONIONS (also called “Scallions”): young shoots of red or white bulb 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. See Week 3 newsletter for usage and storage information.

GOLDEN SWEET PEAS: buttery, yellow edible pods that are tender and sweet; beautiful yellow contrast with green or purple snap or snow peas in a salad or stir fry.
-How to use: can be eaten raw in salads, great stir-fried. steamed, and used any way a green snap or snow pea is prepared.
-How to store: Refrigerate in plastic bag for 4-5 days. If kept too long, their sweet flavor and crisp texture diminishes.

POTATOES: You will receive a mix of Dakota Red (red potato with white flesh that is good for baking, boiling, or frying) and Kerr’s Pink (very pale skin and cream flesh; mealy, cooked texture, so makes a good Specialty/Salad Potato variety; good roasted, mashed, or in salads). These potatoes are some of the last, which have been stored in our root cellar since last fall. You may have to sort those that are not holding up as well. You can always choose not to take any. Our new potatoes are still sizing up, and we are waiting until we have enough for all the shares, so they will be just around the corner. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.

RADISHES (Pink Beauty): 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 (excellent source of vitamins A, C, and the B’s) delicious in soups or stir-fries.
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag/damp towel for 1-2 weeks.

**SAUERKRAUT: If you still haven’t received your 2 jars of sauerkraut from Weeks 3 and 4, please let us know. We have them at the farm in boxes. We will try to get your jar to you at your Distribution Site with your name on it, if you contact us ahead of time and let us know which site to bring it and on what date.

SPICY GREENS MIX: a blend of arugula, Kyona/Mizuna, and red and green mustards. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage information.

SUMMER SQUASH or ZUCCHINI: You will receive some variety of Green or Yellow Zucchini (gourmet golden or green zucchini with uniform, cylindrical fruits) or Yellow Crookneck (long, curved neck with a sometimes bumpy, yellow skin; buttery flavor and firm texture). See Week 5 newsletter for usage and storage information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. INTRO TO PLANTS class in FORAGING SERIES on July 11 from 6 to 8 pm: You can easily tell the difference between a cat and a dog, so why is it so difficult to distinguish between 2 species of plant? The answer is, it’s not! You were taught how to look at mammal characteristics (nose, eyes, ears, fur) when you were a toddler, so you can easily see the differences between a cat and a dog. But most people never learn to look at plants in the same way. This class session will be dedicated to learning the major distinguishing characteristics of plants. More info at: http://willforageforfood.com/index.php/classes/foraging-101-series/ Cost: $25 per class You may pay in person or pre-pay online at http://mkt.com/willforageforfood/foraging-chelsea

2. TAPENADE COOKING CLASS July 14 from 6 to 8 PM at Tantre Farm: CSA member, Noemi Barabas, will be demonstrating how to use up every last bit of your share. We may be making tapenade spreads for bread, soups, and rice/pasta, so that you can try many ways to use up items that you might not normally think are usable! Please register with your NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER. $5 fee for materials.

3. SUMMER WORK PARTY/OPEN HOUSE Sunday, July 17 between 1-4 p.m. This day often tends to be hot and sunny. However, we’ll have lots of water play for the kids and shade-related activities for the adults, such as cleaning garlic. For those more adventurer-gardener types, we will be weeding the herb and flower garden and other patches in the fields, and maybe even some harvesting! Members are encouraged to bring family and friends to Tantré Farm to see the farm decked out in its summer finery, for wagon ride farm tours, and for getting to know fellow community members. This is a completely voluntary event, so you can also come just for the fun, such as listening to live music, picking a pint of raspberries, which would go nicely with our plans to make fresh, hand-cranked, home-made ice cream! As usual a potluck is included, so please feel free to bring a snack or refreshment. Also, if anyone wants to help “set up” at 11 or 11:30 AM or bring a musical instrument, please let us know. We look forward to showing you the farm! More details to come!

4. WEEDING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in the Mint Bed: If any of you have extra time to help weed, we have some crazy weeds that are really trying to take over our peppermint bed along with some other areas of the farm. If you could help for even 15 minutes or an hour, we could really use the extra help. Please contact us any day of the week or evenings until dark. The weeds are sure enjoying this summer despite no rain!

5. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER:
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)–7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 AM to 12 PM
Farm (Wed.)–10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.) –6 P.M. to 8 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 1 P.M.

RECIPES

FLATBREAD WITH FAVA BEANS, CUCUMBERS, AND BURRATA (from http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/flatbread-with-fava-beans-cucumbers-and-burrata) Serves 4.
1 cups shelled fava beans–from about 1 lb. pods
Kosher salt
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grill
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 Garlic-Herb Naan or 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, room temperature, halved
1 8-ounce balls burrata or fresh mozzarella, drained
Basil leaves (for serving)
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Flaky sea salt
Cook fava beans in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain and peel skins off beans. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, and half of fava beans in a medium bowl and lightly mash with a fork. Stir in remaining whole fava beans; season with kosher salt and pepper. Combine cucumbers and vinegar in a medium bowl; season with kosher salt. Let sit until slightly softened, 10–12 minutes. Prepare a grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off); lightly oil grate. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, gently stretch to about a 10×8″ oval. Grill over direct heat, turning and rotating as needed, until bread is stiff and both sides are lightly charred, about 3 minutes total. Move to indirect heat to keep warm while you grill the remaining piece of dough. Transfer flatbreads to a work surface. Tear burrata into pieces and divide between flatbreads; top with fava bean mixture, cucumbers,and basil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, sea salt, and pepper. VARIATION: use 1/2 cup sugar snap peas cut into bite- size pieces and 1/2 cup favas or use peas as a substitute)

Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #4
June 19-25, 2016

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

SWISS CHARD: close relative of garden beets; multi-colored, large veined, semi-crinkly, dark green leaves; mild flavor; good source of vitamins A, E, & C, as well as iron & calcium.
-How to use: greens can be prepared like spinach, and stalks like asparagus; good steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, and in soups.
-How to store: wrap in damp cloth in a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 2-4 days.

GARLIC SCAPES: the flower top of a garlic plant has a slender green stem with a slight bulge at the bottom (resemble chives, except for the bulge and often curled); tender and milder in flavor than mature garlic, but can be substituted for garlic cloves in recipes.
-How to use: mild garlic flavor, so delicious chopped in salads, roasted, and sautéed.
-How to store: put in refrigerator in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.

FRESH HERBS: In general, store herbs upright with cut stems in 1 or 2 inches of water and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or wrap in slightly dampened cloth and store in refrigerator.
You may CHOOSE ONE bunch (NOT one bunch of each) from the following 5 options:
**Italian Flat-leaf Parsley—flat, glossy, dark green leaves have a strong parsley/celery flavor for use dried or fresh; high in vitamins A and C, and other minerals, such as iron; especially good in omelets, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, pasta and vegetable dishes, as well as, sauces.
**Black-stemmed Peppermint–forest green leaves with deep purple veins and stems, purple flowers; leaves are good as a hot or iced tea; adds a delicious flavor when minced and added to cooked peas, carrots, potatoes, salads, and fresh strawberries.
**Rosemary—pine needle-like leaves used with potatoes, bread doughs, risottos, mixed vegetables, and meat dishes, as well as in sweet dishes such as lemonade, creams, custards, and syrups; very strongly flavored, so use sparingly, considered a memory stimulant and used for headaches, indigestion, and depression.
**French Sorrel–slightly tart, lemon-flavored green shaped like spinach, but paler green in color; excellent for salads, soups, sauces, omelets; high in vitamin A and contains some calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C; refrigerate in plastic bag for up to 3 days.
**Thyme– tiny green leaves used in meat and vegetable dishes and most casseroles, soups, stews, and medicinal teas.

KALE: You will receive Lacinato Kale (dark green, noncurled, blistered leaves, but heavily savoyed).
-How to use: for salads, soups, and light cooking in stir-fries
-How to store: keep in plastic bag or damp towel in refrigerator for up to 1 week

LETTUCE: You will receive 2 heads of lettuce, which may include Green Leaf, Red Leaf or Romaine.
-How to use: raw in salads, sandwiches, or use in soups
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag for 3-5 days.

MUSHROOMS (Shiitake): flower-like cracking pattern on brown cap; edible mushroom native to East Asia; good in sandwiches and cooked—see below; many medicinal qualities too; grown on logs.
If you don’t care for mushrooms, then leave them for someone else or gift them to a friend!
-How to use: brush off dirt to clean or wipe with damp cloth, do not wash or submerge in water; good grilled, sautéed, steamed, in soups, and in sandwiches
-How to store: place in paper bag or wax bag and keep in refrigerator for up to 5 to 7 days.

GREEN ONIONS (baby red onions): young shoots of red bulb 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, & other dishes for flavor.
-How to store: refrigerate in damp towel/plastic bag for 2-5 days.

SHELLING or SNAP PEAS: You will receive Shelling Peas (easy to shell with delicious flavor for fresh eating and freezing) or Sugar Snap Peas (flat-round pod of edible-pod pea; often lighter green than the shelling pea pod)). You may need to chew on the pod to test if they are edible pods or the tough-skinned shelling pea, which is a much more fibrous pod.
-How to use: Add shelled peas to soups, stews, sautés, or stir-fries. Blanch or steam for 2-4 minutes only until color is bright green. Snap or snow peas can be eaten raw in salads or cooked quickly as in stir-fries or deep fry in tempura batter.
-How to store: Refrigerate in plastic bag for 4-5 days. If kept too long, their sweet flavor and crisp texture diminishes.

POTATOES (Carola): yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying. These potatoes have been carefully stored in our root cellar since last fall.
-How to use: good roasted, mashed, or in salads
-How to store: Keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag.

SAUERKRAUT: For most of you this will be the second of 2 jars of The Brinery’s “Sauerkraut”, made exclusively with Tantre cabbage and juniper berries. If you picked up at Community High School last week though, you did not receive yours due to busy, forgetful farmers. We decided not to bring 2 jars this week for Community High members, since some of you alternate weeks with a share partner, but rather this week your share will receive your first jar and next week your share will receive your second jar. If you still miss your jar, since you are changing pick up sites next week, just let us know, and we will try to work something out. Remember this only applies to the Community High members. For more information about the Brinery, please visit www.thebrinery.com. These krauts are raw and unpasteurized, so be sure to refrigerate, since they are not “canned”.
– How to use: use as a condiment with any dish, especially meat dishes, salads, roasted veggies, or sandwiches.
– How to store: refrigerate up to 3 months or longer depending on how you like the flavor, since it will get stronger with more age.

SPINACH: You will receive a bag of this crisp, dark green leaf; delicious flavor when juiced.
– How to use: 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.

STRAWBERRIES: What a deliciously productive strawberry season! Believe it or not, each share will receive 1 last quart of this red, conical fruit in your share.
-How to use: excellent raw, juicing, jam, pie, sorbet, in desserts
How to store: Do not wash until you are ready to consume them. Place them on a paper towel in a tightly-covered container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
-How to freeze: This is so easy to do for fresh berries! Freeze whole strawberries hulled and washed on cookie sheets and when frozen put in freezer bags.

WHITE HAKUREI TURNIPS and GREENS: A white salad turnip 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; good in salads and soups) and greens (slightly sweet and can be boiled, steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, and since hairless, are good in salads; excellent source of vitamins A & C and good source of riboflavin, calcium and iron) are edible!
-How to use: good in salads and soups, roasted, steamed, sautéed,
-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. STRAWBERRY U-PICK in ANN ARBOR is slowing down: The strawberries are still trickling in, but this may be the last week of pretty good picking. Strawberries are $4/level quart for “u-pick” and $5 for “already picked”. There are no free quarts this week for CSA members. The Strawberry Patch is still open every day from 9 to 6 PM at least until Sunday, but call if you want to be sure. Please keep in mind this is NOT at Tantre Farm. Our large strawberry field is about a half mile north of the Washtenaw Food Hub (4175 Whitmore Lake Rd.) on the west side of the road.

2. Please RSVP for PLANT WALK on June 24 at 7 PM: Take a walk on Tantre Farm with local forager, Rachel Mifsud, and talk about the plants in the lawn and herb gardens. We will identify and discuss 15 plants. Roughly half of these will be culinary and medicinal herbs that are grown on the farm. The other half will be edible or medicinal “weeds” found in the lawn and garden. Participants are encouraged to bring their own notepad and camera (or smart phone) to take notes. The walk will last 1 to 1.5 hours. This is FREE for CSA members. Nonmembers pay $15. If you are planning on coming, please let us know, so we can plan accordingly.

3. PAYMENTS DUE: If you still owe money, it will be reflected on the check-in sheet, when you pick up your box. If you believe there has been some mistake, or have any questions, please call or e-mail us. Please finalize payments due within the month of June, unless alternate arrangements are made.

4. 4TH OF JULY VACATIONS or OUT OF TOWN: Please remember to contact us at least by Saturday to make changes in pick up days or locations, especially with the 4th of July vacations coming up. Also keep in mind that changes need to be made within the same week (Sun.-Sat.), not into the next week of distribution. All changes can be made yourself on our website under the sign up link and locate Membership Actions on the registration page.

5. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER:
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)–7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 AM to 12 PM
Farm (Wed.)–10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.) –6 P.M. to 8 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 1 P.M.

SUMMER’S “ORDINARY” THINGS
by Richard and Deb

The Solstice is upon us. The warm, summer breeze blows the persimmon leaves. The sunlight dapples the grass around the farm picnic area—a nice place to rest for the noon meal after the hours in the morning heat. A good load of sweet, delicious strawberries keep ripening for these last couple of weeks with this warm season. The hot sun has also encouraged some of the summer crops to grow really well so far, such as tomatoes, eggplant, watermelon, summer squash, cucumber, lettuce, and kale. The sour cherries have just started to ripen in the hedge rows along with the mulberries. The birds and chipmunks have enjoyed this foraging of fruit as we have enjoyed the optimal foraging of last year’s strawberry field. The lettuce is abundant and should be for the next month. The coiling garlic scapes have all been pulled and now we are waiting for the garlic bulbs to mature, so we can harvest and dry them. Every day affords moments of aesthetic beauty on the land: The amber light of the mornings and evenings. The tree frog singing. The house wren chirping in the barn. The swallows swooping back and forth catching flies. The robin bouncing from branch to branch nibbling mulberries. It is important to enjoy this moment and not take it for granted—these ordinary things.

RECIPES

VEGETARIAN BEAN, SWISS CHARD AND LEMON SOUP (from Polwig.com food blog) Serving Size: 6
2 cans of Cannellini Beans (white kidney beans, 15.5 oz)
4 cups vegetable stock or water
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
1 onion (or 1 bunch of green onions)
1 lb. potatoes
1 red pepper
1 lemon
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 bunch Swiss chard (other greens can be substituted or added)
1 tablespoon cumin
Dice the onion and celery (you can also add the leafy ends) Clean the carrots, or scrape them and then cube. On medium heat saute onions, celery and carrots with 1 tbs olive oil.When they are cooking, dice the peppers add to the pot and cook while you roughly chop the chard and cut potatoes into edible slices or cubes. When onions have become translucent and peppers a little softer add chard and potatoes. Top with drained cannellini beans, 1 squeezed lemon (squeeze juice, and then quarter the lemon and cook with the soup) and a bunch of thyme. Add vegetable stock and cumin. Bring to boil and simmer until the potatoes are soft. Discard the lemons and serve warm.

**Notes: This is the perfect soup to empty your vegetable bin, so if you have anything in your fridge that should be used throw it in. This soup also freezes really well, so if you make a bigger batch you can have it as a pick me up for up to 3 months.

Tantre Farm CSA Newsletter
WEEK #2
June 5-11, 2016

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

GREENS ADVICE for the entire season: Please keep in mind that greens are especially prominent during this early part of the farm season, so basically, “It’s salad time!” If you’re not sure how best to enjoy your green, taste it. Greens can be eaten raw in a salad or lightly steamed or sautéed with garlic, green onions, or butter in order to mellow their flavor. They can also be tossed into a dish (such as soup or a smoothie) for an extra nutritional and flavorful boost.

ARUGULA (Sylvetta): also known as “wild rocket” with more deeply lobed leaves and a more pungent flavor; an aromatic, bright salad green with a peppery mustard flavor
-How to use: add to 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: You will receive a bunch of green, purple, or white variety; 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): topless, round, smooth, deep red roots with sweet flavor when eaten raw or cooked that have been stored all winter in our root cellar.
-How to use: roots good in juices, 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.
GARLIC SCAPES: This popular and highly delectable flower top of a garlic plant has a slender green stem with a slight bulge at the bottom (resemble chives, except for the bulge and often curled); tender and milder in flavor than mature garlic, but can be substituted for garlic cloves in recipes. **Attached recipes to online newsletter.
-How to use: mild garlic flavor, so delicious chopped in salads, roasted, and sautéed.
-How to store: put in refrigerator in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
FRESH HERBS: In general, store herbs upright with cut stems in 1 or 2 inches of water and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or wrap in slightly dampened cloth and store in refrigerator.
You may CHOOSE ONE bunch (NOT one bunch of each) from the following 4 options:
**Winter Savory– is a semi-evergreen, perennial herb; its strong spicy flavor goes well with beans and meat; medicinally it has antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, and digestive benefits, as well as relieves bee stings.
**Sage–an herb from an evergreen shrub in the mint family with long, narrow, grayish-green leaves; a musky aroma and a warm and spicy taste; used in making sausages, stews, breads, pickles and teas. The flowers are edible and make nice garnishes! This herb is suffering from some fungus or insect damage, but we needed to cut it all out anyway, so a few of you might not mind the damage on the leaves for their aromatic and culinary favors.
**Thyme– tiny green leaves used in meat and vegetable dishes and most casseroles, soups, stews, and medicinal teas, which soothe sore throats. This herb has gone to flower, so the leaves are small, but the flowers are dainty and delicious. We needed to clear the bed anyway, and instead of throwing it out, have it as an option.
**Lemon Balm– these fragrant lemon-minty leaves make a delicate herbal tea, served hot or cold; good addition to lettuce or fruit salads and ice cream; nicely paired with grilled fish or lamb and tossed with steamed vegetables; also aids in depression, tension, or nausea.
ONION TOPS (optional): Some of our onions overwintered, but it has become difficult for our crew to get the bulbs out of the ground due to weed pressure, so you received last week and this week again these delicious top leaves and white flowers of onions without the bulbs; full of great fiber and antioxidants, high in potassium and source of vitamins C and B-6.
-How to use: flowers and green leaves are edible! Chop into salads, soups, & stock for flavor. Easy to freeze for winter soups, just chop and freeze in Ziploc bags.
-How to store: refrigerate in damp towel/plastic bag for 5-7 days.
KALE: You will receive Red Russian Kale (the stems are purple, and leaves are deep gray-green, purple-veined, flat, non-curled, and tooth-edged) or Green Curly (well-ruffled, curly green leaves on green stems; this variety makes a good, roasted “kale chip”).
-How to use: for salads, soups, and light cooking in stir-fries
-How to store: keep in plastic bag or damp towel in refrigerator for up to 1 week
LETTUCE: You will receive 2-4 heads of lettuce, which may include Green Leaf, Red Leaf or Romaine.
-How to use: raw in salads, sandwiches, or use in soups
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag for 3-5 days.
POTATOES (Carola): yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying. These potatoes have been carefully stored in our root cellar since last fall.
-How to use: good roasted, mashed, or in salads
-How to store: Keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag.
SPINACH: You will receive a bag of this crisp, dark green leaf– best eaten raw or with minimal cooking to obtain the beneficial chlorophyll, as well as vitamins A & C; delicious flavor when juiced.
– How to use: 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.
STRAWBERRIES: Each share will receive 1 quart of this member of the rose family (if you split a share, you will need to divvy it up); red, conical fruit with tiny white flowers. U-pick opportunities in Ann Arbor are mentioned below.
-How to use: excellent raw, juicing, jam, pie, sorbet, in desserts
-How to store: Do not wash until you are ready to consume them. Place them on a paper towel in a tightly-covered container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
-How to freeze: This is so easy to do for fresh berries! Freeze whole strawberries hulled and washed on cookie sheets and when frozen put in freezer bags.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. STRAWBERRY U-PICK in ANN ARBOR: We have a wonderful opportunity for our CSA members this year! Our large strawberry field just north of the Washtenaw Food Hub on Whitmore Lake Rd. is in its second year of growth. The location is just north of the Food Hub (4175 Whitmore Lake Rd.) on the west side of the road. There are lots of signs that show you where to go. The berries are bursting off the plants! We are inviting all CSA members to come to the “Ann Arbor Strawberry Patch” to u-pick their first 4 quarts for free! You just need to mention your Primary Contact’s name so your share can be checked off our Master List that your share received your 4 quarts. If you split a share, then each of you can pick 2 quarts for free. Any amount after that, you will need to pay the regular rate of $4/level quart. Right now the berry patch will be open every day this week through Sunday (and possibly 7 days a week for the next few weeks) from 9 to 6 PM. We will let you know more details in the coming weeks.
2. KID FARM HIKE on June 17: Come join us for a guided monthly exploratory walk around Tantre Farm on Friday, the 17th. Each month various community members will share their expertise in a guided tour. We’ll use all our senses as we take an approx. 45-60 minute hike around the farm for kids and adults. We will meet at 2 PM behind the Main House at the picnic tables.
3. PAYMENTS DUE: If you still owe money, it will be reflected on the check-in sheet, when you pick up your box. If you believe there has been some mistake, or have any questions, please call or e-mail us. Please finalize payments due within the month of June, unless alternate arrangements are made.
4. CSA COOKBOOKS: We will have a handy cookbook for sale this season called “From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce”. This $15 book includes an easy-to-follow format with vegetables listed from A to Z. We will have a limited number of these cookbooks available, so if you are interested in purchasing these books, and they are no longer at your site, please let us know to make a bulk order.
5. NEEDED: SMALL WADING POOL! We will have 9 adolescent ducks taking up residence here on this week, adding to the Tantre animal menagerie of cows, pigs, chickens, cats, and dog. If anyone has a SMALL wading pool they were thinking of getting rid of since they were upgrading or it was too dirty to use again, please consider it for our new feathered friends. Of course, we will buy one eventually if no one has one, but first we would rather reuse someone else’s.
6. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER:
Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)–7 A.M. to 12 P.M.
MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 AM to 12 PM
Farm (Wed.)–10 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.) –6 P.M. to 8 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.

INTRODUCING RICHARD, DEB, AND ARIANA….
Some of our articles may feature some of the regular workers on Tantré Farm throughout the coming weeks. Here are the owners of the farm, Richard Andres & Deb Lentz, and their daughter, Ariana.

Richard and Deb both grew up with a connection to farming and growing food. Richard grew up in Plymouth & Canton, Michigan. He had an early interest in farming, since he worked as a teenager picking corn for a local farmer. Then he started raising and selling strawberries, corn, and muskmelons on his parents’ property. He also worked at his friend’s farm, Garden Works, for a few years. Following that, he tended traditional, Asian-raised gardens at the Ann Arbor and Toronto Zen Buddhist Temples for a number of years. Finally, he bought Tantré Farm in 1993, and proceeded to make it certified organic. After that he began growing organic potatoes, winter squash, and garlic for wholesale orders, besides continuing full-time work as a timber-frame carpenter.

Deb grew up on a 160-acre beef farm in Lake City, Minnesota. She graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota with an Elementary Education degree. She taught fourth through sixth grades in Central Minnesota and worked as a counselor at a Summer German Camp for the next 10 years. Then she met Richard in 1994, which led to their marriage in July of 1997. After that she taught first and third grade for several years in Napoleon, Michigan, until their daughter, Ariana, was born in 2001.

Richard is working as a full-time farmer now, and continues using his carpentry skills through the many maintenance and building projects of the farm. Now Deb publishes the newsletter and coordinates the communication and bookkeeping of the CSA. She also continues to enjoy teaching to groups who come to the farm for field trips, as well as, in area schools through Farm-to-School programs. Ariana is now completing eighth grade, and she is looking forward to hanging out with lots of kids on the farm this summer! Both Richard and Deb enjoy the sense of community that running Tantré Farm creates for themselves and their daughter, as well as the many young interns/farmers who live and work on the farm, which provides the opportunity to serve the local community fresh, organic food.

RECIPES

SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD (From Asparagus to Zucchini by MACSAC) Serves 4.Sesame seeds
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
minced garlic or garlic scape to taste
dry mustard to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup salad oil
1 bunch spinach, cleaned & stemmed
1 cup strawberries, sliced or chunked
1 1/2 tsp. fresh dill or 1/2 tsp. dried
Toast sesame seeds in dry skillet or hot oven for several minutes, tossing often; let cool. Combine sugar, garlic, dry mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in oil in thin stream. Toss with spinach, strawberries, dill, and sesame seeds.

TANTRE FARM CSA NEWSLETTER
Solstice Share
December 19, 2015
Please contact Richard Andres & Deb Lentz at: 2510 Hayes Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118 tantrefarm@hotmail.com 734-475-4323

HAPPY SOLSTICE, EVERYONE!
Thank you for joining our Solstice Share to celebrate the return of the light with good cheer and good health for the New Year. It is a unique moment for us to mark this collaboration of the Brinery, Garden Works, the Mother Loaf Breads, and Tantre Farm for this unique Solstice celebration. Through this cooperative spirit we embrace the euphoria of this moment to provide you with winter sustenance of these nutritionally dense roots and storage vegetables. This share truly represents the best proportion of nutrition, flavor, texture and health of the winter storage crops. We hope this food will contribute to a happy, healthy feast for you and your family.

**PLEASE READ THIS! We will be distributing the vegetables for this share as a “BUFFET STYLE”, which means ALL vegetables will be in bulk containers, such as boxes or baskets. It is set up as a self-serve situation with labeled amounts to take, so you can hand pick, what size, shape, or texture of each item you desire, so plan on an extra 15-30 minutes for you to load up. This means that you need to BRING YOUR OWN BAGS, COOLERS, or BOXES. We will have some boxes or bags available, but we would like to encourage you to provide your own. You will need to check off your name on the Pick up List at the Washtenaw Food Hub from 9 AM until Noon and Tantre Farm from 2 to 5 PM, when you arrive. Please ask for help if you need any help loading, and of course please make sure that your final payment goes into the Payment Envelope at each distribution site on Saturday, if you haven’t paid for your share yet.

Also, throughout the late fall and winter, please free to contact us, if you are interested in squash, potatoes, radishes, turnips, rutabaga, spinach, onions, etc., which you can pick up at the farm or the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. After the Solstice Distribution on Dec. 19, we will continue to set up at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market every Saturday starting again in January, but market starts at 8 AM and ends at 2 PM for these “winter hours”. If you have “liked” us on Tantre Farm’s Facebook page, you will know when we are coming and what we are bringing, since we try to keep you updated. The People’s Food Coop and Argus Farm Stop of AA also continue to carry many of our vegetables throughout the winter and early spring.

If you are interested in our Summer CSA shares for 2016, our online registration will start soon, although possibly after the Christmas holiday. Just check our website and your emails. We will be sending all previous members an email to let you know when registration opens. Everyone, who was a previous member will be automatically “rolled over” into next year, but you will have many opportunities to opt out, if the share is not for you anymore. Any new person will be able to sign up online as usual!

Thanks for buying locally and seasonally. We wish you a sustainably rich and enlightened transition into light as we enter the end of 2015 and begin anew with 2016! –Deb and Richard

WHAT’S PART OF YOUR SHARE

CHRISTMAS LIMA BEANS: You will receive 1 bag of Christmas Limas (dried bean in a pod with intriguing variation on the traditional Lima with beautiful burgundy/cream markings on the bean; texture of baked potatoes & flavor of chestnuts when cooked). We are providing you with beans in pods, so that you may have the pleasure and anticipation of the colorful variety of seeds that appear.
-How to use: excellent in a chile sauce or curry or simply enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and a few grates of dry goat cheese
-How to store: If storing the beans, you may shell them in a bowl and store them in glass jars or keep them stored in their pods.

BEETS: You will receive Golden (orange skin with rich gold interior; mild, sweet flavor when cooked) and Red Ace (round, smooth, deep red roots with sweet flavor when eaten raw or cooked).
-How to use: roots good in juices, 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.

SOURDOUGH BREAD: We are pleased to offer some artisanal sourdough bread from the well-loved Mother Loaf Breads (www.themotherloafbreads) in Milan. You will have a choice between Onion Rye Bread (a savory rye bread studded with Tantre onions and caraway seeds; great for sandwiches, good for croutons, savory bread pudding, alongside scrambled eggs, and as the basis for an open-faced smørrebrød from Scandinavian cuisine) OR Potato Dill Bread (a lighter loaf full of Tantre potatoes and fresh dill; great as a hearty, grilled cheese bread or on other sandwiches, and fantastic as a dinner or soup bread).

BRUSSELS GREENS: these tender, savory, cabbage-flavored greens are the leaves of the Brussels sprouts plants and look similar to Collard Greens.
-How to use: Boil or steam for 3-5 minutes without overcooking, so they are still bright green; toss with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, or a pat of butter. Prepare other ways just like kale or other hearty cooking greens.
-How to store: Refrigerate for up to a week or more unwashed in a plastic bag in hydrator drawer.

CABBAGE (Kaitlin): large, late-season cabbage that is excellent for kraut with a very white, rather than green, interior after storage; stores well into December or January.
-How to use: steamed, stir-fried, chopped into salads or coleslaw.
-How to store: It is best to store cabbage with its protective outer leaves until ready to use, so that it will last in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, just peel off a few layers until you get to the crispy, clean leaves that will make it ready for eating.

CARROTS (Orange and Purple): You will receive these as bunches of topless, frost-sweetened carrots with Napoli (a specialized variety with a sweet taste; 7” roots are cylindrical, smooth, and blunt) and Purple Haze (bright purplish-red roots with bright orange interior and a sweet flavor; cooking will cause the color to fade).
-How to use: Can be used raw as carrot sticks, grated in salads or juiced; steamed or sautéed, in stews, soups, casseroles, stir-fries
-How to store: Refrigerate dry and unwashed roots in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks; stores best in near freezing conditions around 32 degrees and 95% humidity; greens may last up to a week refrigerated in plastic bag

ONIONS: You will receive Red Hawk (medium to large, uniform, deep red bulbs, which are slightly flattened with consistent color and excellent skin retention) and Patterson (medium-large, blocky bulbs with dark yellow skin and thin necks; excellent storage onion).
-How to use: good in French onion soup, great for salads, soups, sandwiches, slices, grilled.
-How to store: can last for 10 to 12 months if kept in a cold, dark place, but remove any ones starting to go soft from the others.

PEA SHOOTS: You will receive a bag of pea shoots (which are extremely high in vitamins A & C and calcium) from Garden Works Organic Farm. They are a certified organic 4.5 acre truck garden and greenhouse farm in Ann Arbor operating year-round with several types of heirloom vegetables, and wheatgrass, sunflower shoots and other microgreens available throughout the year. If you would like to find a way to continue to receive these delicious, tender greens, contact gardenworksannarbor@yahoo.com and ask for Rob MacKercher.
-How to use: use as a salad, blended with chopped radishes, turnips, and cabbage, excellent garnish as a soup, sooo yummy and tender!
-How to store: store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

POTATOES: You will receive the following varieties of potatoes including Adirondack Blue (round to oblong, slightly flattened tubers have glistening blue skin enclosing deep blue flesh; moist, flavorful flesh is superb for mashing or salads; very high in antioxidants!), Kerr’s Pink (very pale skin and cream flesh; mealy, cooked texture, so makes a good Specialty/Salad Potato variety; good roasted, mashed, or in salads), Mountain Rose (rosy-skinned inside and out, these versatile, all-purpose spuds are deliciously moist, but not waxy textured. Extra nutritious, and high in antioxidants. Excellent baked, mashed or fried), Carola (yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying), Dakota Red (red potato with white flesh that is good for baking, boiling, or frying), French Red Fingerlings (dark rose-red skin and yellow flesh; creamy taste and firm texture, excellent roasted or boiled), and Russian Banana Fingerling (an heirloom potato with small, banana-shaped tubers with yellow skin and light yellow flesh; used by chefs for its delicious flavor and smooth “waxy” texture that doesn’t fall apart when cooked; good baked, boiled, or in salads).
-How to store: keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag; ideal temperature is 40-50 degrees with high humidity (80-90%). A basement or very cool closet will work. If too warm or stored with onions or apples, they will shrivel and sprout.

DAIKON RADISH: You will receive K-N Bravo (looks like an overgrown purple carrot with internal color ranging from pale purple to white with purple streaks; good, sweet, eating quality), Alpine (the smooth, attractive roots are white with green shoulders; looks like an overgrown green carrot, but with a slightly mild radish taste; crunchy and sweet texture; good macrobiotic root that is good for the gut; the most common type grown in Korea), and White Daikon (looks like an overgrown white carrot, but blunt-tipped on end, with a lightly mild, radish taste).
-How to use: excellent julienned, sliced, 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

WATERMELON RADISH: an heirloom Chinese variety; large, 2-4”, round radishes with unique dark magenta/pink flesh and light green/white skin along with a sweet, delicious taste.
-How to use: soups, stews, steamed, roasted, eaten raw in salads, pickled, excellent julienned and tossed with favorite dressing.
-How to store: Store dry and unwashed in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks; can last for 2-4 months if stored in cold, moist conditions like beets.

RUTABAGA: purplish skin with yellow flesh; thought to be a cross between a cabbage and a turnip and resembles a large turnip (3 to 5 inches in diameter).
-How to use: Bake, steam, or boil so it cooks up to a creamy texture as nice addition to mashed potatoes, can be substituted or added to pumpkin or squash pies, or baked in a root bake, and often a key ingredient in making pasties.
-How to store: Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 1 month; keeps at room temperature for 1 week; long term storage.

NEW BRINERY PRODUCTS: We are pleased to offer a few new items for your probiotic pleasure that should be stored in your refrigerator. You will receive a jar of Green Tomato Basil Pickles (Ingredients: Tantre Green Tomatoes, Goetz Farm Basil, Water, Sea Salt. Uses: Good with mozzarella, in a fresh salad, on a skewer with mozz & beef/tempeh, great on the side of a burger or Bloody Mary) AND a bottle of Tomato Kvass (Ingredients: Tantre Tomatoes, Water, Sea Salt, Horseradish, Black Peppercorn, Smoked Paprika, Celery Seed, Coriander, Dill Seed. Uses: Add to spaghetti sauce, a hearty soup, a savory health drink, Bloody Mary, or just drink it straight for a tasty way to drink your probiotics!). The Brinery is a local foods business, specializing in naturally fermented local vegetables and operated by long time Tantré farmer, David Klingenberger. For more information, please visit www.thebrinery.com.

SPINACH: crisp, dark green leaf—rich source of antioxidants & many nutrients, such as vitamins A, E, K, & C; delicious flavor when juiced.
-How to use: 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.

TURNIPS (Purple Top): traditional, Southern variety with smooth, round roots with white on the bottom and bright purple on top
-How to use: Boil, steam, bake, add to soups and stews, mash or scallop just like potatoes, excellent roasted.
-How to store: Keeps up to 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator in a plastic bag; can last for 4-5 months, if stored like beets, preferring cold and moist conditions.

WINTER SQUASH: You will receive some of the following varieties:
Acorn (small, green ribbed squash with pale yellow flesh)
Buttercup Kabocha (green, blocky, with a gray “button” on the blossom end; thick, dry, deep orange flesh; medium-dry and sweet; very dry at harvest, sweeter after a few weeks; dry storage)
Butternut (light, tan-colored skin; small seed cavities with thick, cylindrical necks; bright orange, moist, sweet flesh; longest storage potential of all squash)
Jester Acorn (about the size of Carnival squash, but with better eating quality; an oval, ivory-colored squash with green striping between the ribs that is tapered on both ends with small to average ribs)
Tetsukabuto (5-6 pound Japanese squash; nearly round with dark green rind, slightly mottled and ribbed; sweet and nutty flavor with yellow, thick flesh)
-How to store: Keep for several months (depending on the variety) at 45-60 degrees with 60-75% humidity; will also store at room temperature.
-How to freeze: If you notice a squash is getting soft or a spot starts to rot, cook it immediately, and freeze it in freezer bags for future use.

RECIPES
**Keep in mind a very easy way to find recipe ideas for almost any combination of share box ingredients is to type the items into your preferred “search bar” with the word “recipes” at the end, and many recipe ideas will pop up. Have fun searching! Lots and lots of ideas!

TANTRÉ FARM SLAW (A simple, easy salad!) Serves 4.
2 medium beets, grated
3 large carrots, grated
2 turnips, grated
1 watermelon radish, grated
2-3 scallions or 1 red onion, chopped (optional)
sesame or sunflower seeds, toasted
olive oil or toasted sesame oil
lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Grate vegetables into a bowl. Chop scallions, if desired, and add to bowl. Toast sesame or sunflower seeds. Add when cooled. Add olive oil and lemon juice as a salad dressing to suit your taste. Be careful of too much liquid. The tartness of the lemon should be prominent. Serve immediately or marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator.

BRAISED DAIKON (from Winter Harvest Cookbook)
1 Daikon radish, peeled and diced
2 Tbs. light cooking oil
1 tsp. sugar (or honey)
1 1/2 Tbs. soy sauce
Put Daikon in saucepan, cover with water, and boil 5 minutes. Drain well. Heat skillet, add oil, and stir-fry Daikon for 2 minutes. Add sugar and soy sauce; stir fry another minute. Add 1/4 cup water, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until Daikon is tender, but not mushy, about 30 minutes. Serve hot. Serves 4.

ROASTED WATERMELON RADISHES (www.myrecipes.com)
1 pound watermelon radishes, trimmed
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Preheat oven to 375°. Cut radishes into wedges. Mix with 2 tbsp. oil and put in a 2-qt. baking dish. Roast radishes, stirring occasionally, until fork tender, about 1 hour. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp. oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

TANTRE FARM OVEN-ROASTED HARVEST VEGETABLES (Keep in mind, any combination of the following root vegetables will work. Roasted veggies are standard at many Tantre Farm meals.)
1 c. Brussels sprouts, cut in halves
1 c. carrots, quartered or chunks
1/2 lb. unpeeled multi-colored potatoes, cut into chunks if large
1 watermelon radish, julienned
3-4 onions, sliced
1 rutabaga, cut into chunks
1 c. turnips, cut into chunks
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. winter squash, cut into chunks
3-4 Tbs. vegetable or olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. chopped fresh sage or rosemary
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine any combination of vegetables above in large bowl, except parsley. Drizzle oil over. Sprinkle with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper; toss gently to coat. Bake for 30 minutes in 1 or 2 roasting pans or until vegetables are beginning to slightly brown. Turn the vegetables 2 or 3 times during cooking to prevent burning. Then increase heat to 425° and add chopped parsley (or may be added as a fresh garnish at the very end), toss vegetables, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned. Makes 6-8 servings.

MASHED RUTABAGA AND POTATOES (from www.southernfood.about.com) Serves 6 to 8.
3 pounds rutabaga, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 to 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces, about 5 or 6 medium
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, or to taste
2 teaspoons chopped parsley, optional
Cook rutabaga and potatoes in salted water in separate saucepans. When both are tender, remove from heat. Rutabaga will take about 30 minutes, and potatoes will take about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; puree or mash rutabaga well, then mash the potatoes. Combine mashed rutabaga and potatoes; add butter, milk, pepper, and nutmeg. Beat well. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP (from www.allrecipes.com) Servings: 8
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
1 pinch kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
cooking spray or oil
1 small butternut or kabocha squash – peeled, seeded, and chunked
3 rutabagas, peeled and cubed
4 parsnips or carrots, thickly sliced
4 potatoes, halved
10 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons white truffle oil (optional)
With a mortar and pestle, grind together rosemary and kosher salt. Pour in olive oil and continue to mash until the oil starts to turn a darker green. Set aside for about an hour. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a shallow roasting pan with cooking spray or brush with oil. Place the squash, rutabagas, parsnips and potatoes in a large bowl. Pour the olive oil mixture through a fine-mesh strainer over the vegetables and toss them with oil to coat. Evenly spread vegetables on the prepared pan and roast 30 minutes until nicely browned and cooked through. While the vegetables are roasting, simmer stock in a large pot over medium low heat. When the vegetables are done add them to the simmering stock and simmer together for about 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot, or puree in batches in a blender or food processor. Add extra broth or water if the soup is too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in warmed bowls, garnishing each serving by drizzling a quarter teaspoon of balsamic vinegar and a quarter teaspoon of white truffle oil over the soup.

RUSTIC CABBAGE SOUP RECIPE (www.101cookbooks.com) Serves 4.
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
a big pinch of salt
1/2 pound potatoes, skin on, cut 1/4-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cups stock
1 1/2 cups dried beans, precooked or canned
1/2 medium cabbage, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch ribbons
more good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Warm the olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the salt and potatoes. Cover and cook until they are a bit tender and starting to brown a bit, about 5 minutes – it’s o.k. to uncover to stir a couple times. Stir in the garlic and onion and cook for another minute or two. Add the stock and the beans and bring the pot to a simmer. Stir in the cabbage and cook for a couple more minutes, until the cabbage softens up a bit. Now adjust the seasoning – getting the seasoning right is important or your soup will taste flat and uninteresting. Taste and add more salt if needed, the amount of salt you will need to add will depend on how salty your stock is (varying widely between brands, homemade, etc)… Serve drizzled with a little olive oil and a generous dusting of cheese.

SAVORY-SWEET RUTABAGA PUDDING (from Farmer John’s Cookbook by John Peterson) Serves 6 to 8
1 large rutabaga (about 2 pounds), peeled, diced into 2-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
butter for greasing the baking dish
2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk, beaten
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon maple syrup
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup raisins, plumped in hot water for 15 minutes and drained (optional)
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the rutabaga and 1 teaspoon salt, partially cover, and cook until the rutabaga is very soft, 30 to 45 minutes. (You will need to reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.) Preheat the oven to 350° F. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with butter. Beat the eggs and egg yolk in a medium bowl. Stir in the cream, bread crumbs, maple syrup, and nutmeg. Drain the rutabaga, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Mash the rutabaga thoroughly with a potato masher or run it through a food mill. If the mixture seems dry, add a little of the reserved rutabaga water as you mash. Add the egg mixture, raisins, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of pepper; stir to combine. Transfer the rutabaga pudding to the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top and dot with butter. Bake until lightly golden on top, about 45 minutes. Serve hot.

RADISH AND CARROT BHARTA RECIPE (Indian Vegetarian Cooking)
1/2 lb. carrots, julienned
1 lb. radishes, julienned or combination of radish and turnip
2 Tbs. ghee (or vegetable oil)
1/2 inch ginger, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Garam Masala*
1/2 tsp. paprika (or cayenne or gr. chilies to taste)
2 small tomatoes, chopped (or the Brinery’s Tomato pickles)
Julienne or shred the carrots and radishes. Steam (or boil in minimum water) until soft. May be mashed or pureed at this point, but I prefer to just leave them as they are. Heat ghee and saute ginger and onion until soft. Add the vegetables and the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and cook until nearly all the juice is gone. NOTES : This makes up incredibly quickly using a food processor. It also freezes well. If it seems too “radishy” reduce them to 1/2 pound, which is what the original recipe called for. 4 Servings.
*GARAM MASALA RECIPE (Indian Vegetarian Cooking)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground coriander seeds
1 tsp ground cumin seeds
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric
Measure and mix. Store in airtight container.

TETSUKABUTO SQUASH PIE (from Backwoods Home Cooking)
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
2 cups mashed or pureed, cooked pulp of Tetsukabuto squash
1/2 tsp. vanilla
10 oz. evaporated milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Thoroughly mix pulp, vanilla, and milk. Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, and ginger together and stir into the wet mixture. Pour into the pie shell and bake in 375° oven until the middle of pie is almost firm but still sticky. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with pecans. Continue baking until a straw inserted in the center comes out clean. Entire baking time takes 40-45 minutes.

AUTUMN MINESTRONE (Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special by the Moosewood Collective) Yields 12 cups. Serves 6 to 8.
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 c. chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 1/2 c. peeled and cubed winter squash
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 c. peeled and diced carrots
2 1/2 c. cubed potatoes
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
6 c. water
4 c. chopped kale/Brussels greens or cabbage
1 1/2 c. cooked Christmas Lima Beans
Warm the oil in a large soup pot on medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the squash, celery, carrots, potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and water; cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are almost done. Add the kale and beans (drained) and simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the kale is tender and the beans are hot. You may add a dash of the Brinery’s Tomato Kvass for an interesting zing or even add some fermented Brinery Pickled Green Tomatoes.

HOT SPINACH SALAD
3 lb. spinach
1/4 c. sliced green olives
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sliced black olives
1/4 c. olive oil
1 Tbs. capers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs. raisins
3 Tbs. sliced almonds or pine nuts
Wash and drain spinach. Sprinkle with salt. Cook 5 minutes, then drain & chop. Heat the oil in a skillet. Stir in the garlic and nuts until golden. Add the rest of the ingredients. Heat and serve.

TANTRE FARM CSA NEWSLETTER
Thanksgiving Share
Nov. 21, 2015

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.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
The snowy, cold weather is upon us, but our hearths and homes will soon be warmed by the aroma of roasting, steaming, baking, and the earthy smell of the many roots and greens of this Thanksgiving CSA share. It is the end of one season and the time for transitioning into the start of another. The end of the fall harvest finds us with a barn full of squash, garlic, and onions and a root cellar full of cabbages, potatoes and other roots ready to eat for the next several months. It is so important to rejoice in the abundance of this harvest! We are full with so many fine meals with friends to share the work and harvest. This Thanksgiving Share is a sampling of this year’s fall harvest and a testament to this year’s hardworking hands. Thank you for being part of our CSA. We hope you enjoy this most abundant Thanksgiving Distribution.

Please feel free to give us a call or e-mail throughout the late fall and early winter, if you are interested in more greens, squash, potatoes, radishes, turnips, spinach, onions, garlic, etc. and are willing to pick up your order at the farm. After the Thanksgiving Distribution we are planning on being at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market on the following Wednesday, Nov. 25, for any last minute Thanksgiving purchases, but NOT on Sat. Nov. 28. We are hoping to continue coming to the Ann Arbor market on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout December and then only Saturdays for January through April. If you have “liked” us on Tantre Farm’s Facebook page, you will know when we are coming and what we are bringing, since we try to keep you updated. We also may attend a new Winter Farmers Market in Chelsea starting Nov. 28 and into the following 2 Saturdays of December, but please pay attention to our Facebook page to find out. The People’s Food Coop and Argus Farm Stop of AA also carry many of our vegetables throughout the fall and winter.

If you are interested in our Summer CSA shares for 2016, our online registration will start soon. Just check our website. We will be sending you a separate email as well to let you know when registration opens.

The vegetables for this last distribution will be distributed into 1 big (1-7/8 bushel) box, 1 small (1/2 bushel) box, and a 50 lb. mesh bag of root vegetable medley. You will also receive Parsley and 2 jars of The Brinery’s sauerkraut on the side. You may want to bring your own containers or bags, if you don’t want to keep the boxes or the net bag. Otherwise, you can return them at another time to the Farm or the AA Farmers’ Market throughout this winter. Most of the following items can be stored for long-term (especially the root vegetables) or preserved very simply, so please note storage or simple cooking tips listed below, in the ASPARAGUS TO ZUCCHINI cookbook (p. 191), or 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.

Thanks for buying locally and seasonally. We wish you a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

–Deb, Richard & the 2015 Tantre Farm Crew

WHAT’S PART OF YOUR SHARE

ARUGULA: an aromatic, bright green, salad green with a peppery mustard flavor; rich in iron and vitamins A and C
-How to use: add to salads, soups, and sautéed vegetable dishes
-How to store: very perishable, so use up quickly; store in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

BEETS: You will receive a mixed bag of topless baby beets with Golden (orange skin with rich gold interior; mild, sweet flavor when cooked) and Red Ace (round, smooth, deep red roots with sweet flavor when eaten raw or cooked).
-How to use: roots good in juices, 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.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS: You will receive a stalk of tiny, green cabbage-like sprouts with mildly pungent, mustard-like flavor. These sprouts are very easy to break off and seem to store better while still on the stalk until ready for use.
-How to use: Boil or steam for 5-10 minutes without overcooking, so they are still bright green; toss with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, or a pat of butter; excellent roasted or stir-fried.
-How to store: Refrigerate for up to a week or more unwashed in a plastic bag in hydrator drawer.
-How to freeze: Blanch for 3-4 minutes, rinse in cold water, drain, and store in air-tight bags or container.

CABBAGE (Kaitlin): large, late-season cabbage that is excellent for kraut with a very white, rather than green, interior after storage; should store well until December or January.
-How to use: steamed, stir-fried, chopped into salads or coleslaw.
-How to store: You will receive this unpeeled and unwashed, so that it will store better, so the leaves may look a little dirty or brown. It is best to store cabbage with its protective outer leaves until ready to use, so that it will last in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, just peel off a few layers until you get to the crispy, clean leaves that will make it ready for eating.

CARROTS (Orange and Purple): You will receive a mixed bag of these topless, frost-sweetened carrots with an orange variety called Bolero (orange, tender, excellent long-term, storage carrots with medium-long, thick, blunt roots) and a beautiful purple variety of either Deep Purple (deep purple roots; excellent grated raw or cooked; taste very similar to their orange cousins and should be embraced for their nutritional powerhouse benefits such as extra antioxidants, which help prevent blood clotting and heart diseases; anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial properties) or Purple Haze (bright purplish-red roots with bright orange interior and a sweet flavor; cooking will cause the color to fade).
-How to use: Can be used raw as carrot sticks, grated in salads or juiced; steamed or sautéed, in stews, soups, casseroles, stir-fries
-How to store: Refrigerate dry and unwashed roots in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks; stores best in near freezing conditions around 32 degrees and 95% humidity; greens may last up to a week refrigerated in plastic bag

CAULIFLOWER (Romanesco): lime green, spiraled heads with pointed, spiraled pinnacles; crisp and mild.
-How to use: Raw for salads and dips, steamed, sautéed, or roasted.
-How to store: Sweetest and best when used within a week when stored in the refrigerator, but can last up to 2 weeks.
-How to freeze: Blanch 2-4 minutes, rinse under cold water, drain and dry, pack into freezer bags.

GARLIC: You will receive Russian Red Garlic; believed to help in fighting infections, cancer prevention, and the immune system.
-How to use: Excellent in all cooking; make garlic butter with 1/2 cup of softened butter mashed with four minced cloves of garlic
-How to store: store for several months in a cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated place; if cloves begin to get soft or moldy, break off bad part, chop, and pack into small jar filled with olive oil, then refrigerate (great gift idea!).

FRESH HERBS: Everyone will receive 1 bunch of Italian Flat-leaf Parsley (flat, glossy, dark green leaves have a strong parsley/celery flavor for use dried or fresh; high in vitamins A and C, and other minerals, such as iron; especially good in omelets, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, pasta and vegetable dishes, as well as, sauces to go with fish, poultry, & pork) or Curly Parsley (curly, dark green leaves, often used as a garnish, but can be used the same as flat-leaf parsley).
-How to store: Place in plastic bag and store in refrigerator up to a week or put herb bunch in jar with 2 inches of water, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

KALE: You will receive Green Curly (well-ruffled, curly green leaves on green stems; this variety makes a good, roasted “kale chip”) or Lacinato Kale (dark green, noncurled, blistered leaves, but heavily savoyed).
-How to use: Boil for 2-3 minutes or steam for 3-5 minutes, until color brightens (Colors will darken or fade if overcooked, and then can be mushy, tasteless, and less nutritious), and then toss with red wine vinegar/olive oil/salt/pepper, or sesame oil/rice vinegar/soy sauce, or lemon vinaigrette, or just butter and salt; mix greens (most are interchangeable in recipes) into omelets, quiches, lasagna, casseroles, soups, stews, and gravies.
-How to store: Refrigerate unwashed in plastic bag for to 2 weeks.
-How to freeze: Blanch washed greens for 1-2 minutes, rinse in cold water, drain, and pack into air-tight containers, or just destem, chop, and freeze in bags.

KOHLRABI: delicious bulbous member of the strong-smelling cabbage family, that grows above ground; crisp, green skin shaped like a small baseball with apple-white flesh sprouting leaves out of it’s top and sides; leaves are good sources of vitamins C and A, calcium, potassium, fiber, and can be used just like collards/kale.
-How to use: usually peel the tough outer skin, and then good steamed or mashed with potatoes, added to soups or stews, but especially delicious sliced and eaten raw with dip
-How to store: store in refrigerator for up to a month

LETTUCE MIX: a bag of dark reds and vibrant greens including Green and Red Oakleaf, Green and Red Romaine, and Redleaf lettuces. Your lettuce has been rinsed once.
-How to use: raw in salads, sandwiches, or use in soups
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag for 3-5 days.

ONIONS: You will receive Red Hawk (medium to large, uniform, deep red bulbs, which are slightly flattened with consistent color and excellent skin retention) and Patterson (medium-large, blocky bulbs with dark yellow skin and thin necks; excellent storage onion).
-How to use: good in French onion soup, great for salads, soups, sandwiches, slices, grilled.
-How to store: can last for 10 to 12 months if kept in a cold, dark place, but remove any ones starting to go soft from the others.

POTATOES: Everyone will receive mesh bags of several varieties of potatoes including Adirondack Blue (round to oblong, slightly flattened tubers have glistening blue skin enclosing deep blue flesh; moist, flavorful flesh is superb for mashing or salads; very high in antioxidants!), Carola (yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying), Dakota Red (red potato with white flesh that is good for baking, boiling, or frying), and Russian Banana Fingerling (an heirloom potato with small, banana-shaped tubers with yellow skin and light yellow flesh; used by chefs for its delicious flavor and smooth “waxy” texture that doesn’t fall apart when cooked; good baked, boiled, or in salads).
-How to store: keep unwashed in cool, dark place in paper bag; ideal temperature is 40-50 degrees with high humidity (80-90%). A basement or very cool closet will work. If too warm or stored with onions or apples, they will shrivel and sprout; light turns them green; don’t refrigerate, since the starches turn to sugars.

PIE PUMPKIN (Baby Bear): bright orange skin with dry, sweet flesh
-How to use: Excellent for pies (For other ideas see winter squash)
-How to store: store whole pumpkins at room temperature up to a month or for 2 to 3 months in moderately cool conditions (45-60 degrees with 60-75% humidity).
-How to freeze: Bake pumpkin until fork tender at 350 degrees, purée and put cooked pulp in freezer bags.

DAIKON RADISH: You will receive K-N Bravo (looks like an overgrown carrot with internal color ranging from pale purple to white with purple streaks; good, sweet, eating quality), Alpine (the smooth, attractive roots are white with green shoulders; looks like an overgrown green carrot, but with a slightly mild radish taste; crunchy and sweet texture; good macrobiotic root that is good for the gut; the most common type grown in Korea), and White Daikon: looks like an overgrown white carrot, but blunt-tipped on end, with a lightly mild, radish taste.
-How to use: excellent julienned, sliced, 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

WATERMELON RADISH: an heirloom Chinese variety; large, 2-4”, round radishes with unique dark magenta flesh and light green/white skin along with a sweet, delicious taste.
-How to use: soups, stews, steamed, roasted, eaten raw in salads, pickled, excellent julienned and tossed with favorite dressing.
-How to store: Store dry and unwashed in plastic bag in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks; can last for 2-4 months if stored in cold, moist conditions like beets.

RUTABAGA: purplish skin with yellow flesh; thought to be a cross between a cabbage and a turnip and resembles a large turnip (3 to 5 inches in diameter).
-How to use: Bake, steam, or boil so it cooks up to a creamy texture as nice addition to mashed potatoes, can be substituted or added to pumpkin or squash pies, or baked in a root bake, and often a key ingredient in making pasties.
-How to store: Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 1 month; keeps at room temperature for 1 week; long term storage

SAUERKRAUT: We are pleased to offer 2 jars of the Brinery’s Sauerkraut. Ingredients may include rutabaga, green cabbage, and sea salt. The Brinery is a local foods business, specializing in naturally fermented local vegetables and operated by long time Tantré farmer, David Klingenberger. For more information, please visit www.thebrinery.com.
-How to use: use as a condiment with any dish, especially meat dishes, salads, roasted veggies, or sandwiches.
-How to store: Must be REFRIGERATED up to 3 months or longer depending on how you like the flavor, since it will get stronger with more age. *NOTE: This sauerkraut jar has NOT been canned, so store in refrigerator.

SPINACH: crisp, dark green leaf—rich source of antioxidants & many nutrients, such as vitamins A, E, K, & C; delicious flavor when juiced.
-How to use: 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.

TATSOI: an Asian green with small, spoon-shaped, thick, dark-green leaves with tangy, sweet flavor.
-How to use: commonly eaten raw in salads, but can be cooked in stir-fries/soups
-How to store: refrigerate in plastic bag or wrap in a damp towel for up to a week.

TURNIPS (Purple Top): traditional, Southern variety with smooth, round roots with white on the bottom and bright purple on top
-How to use: Boil, steam, bake, add to soups and stews, mash or scallop just like potatoes, excellent roasted.
-How to store: Keeps up to 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator in a plastic bag; can last for 4-5 months, if stored like beets, preferring cold and moist conditions.

WINTER SQUASH: It’s been a great squash year! You will receive all of the following varieties:
Acorn (small, green ribbed squash with pale yellow flesh)
Buttercup Kabocha (green, blocky, with a gray “button” on the blossom end; thick, dry, deep orange flesh; medium-dry and sweet; very dry at harvest, sweeter after a few weeks; dry storage)
Butternut (light, tan-colored skin; small seed cavities with thick, cylindrical necks; bright orange, moist, sweet flesh; longest storage potential of all squash)
Jester Acorn (about the size of Carnival squash, but with better eating quality; an oval, ivory-colored squash with green striping between the ribs that is tapered on both ends with small to average ribs)
Spaghetti (3-5-pounds, pale yellow, oblong, smooth, medium size, only mildly sweet with “spaghetti” (stringy) flesh; bake like squash or boil and fork out the flesh, topping the “spaghetti” flesh with your favorite sauce; mildly sweet)
Tetsukabuto (5-6 pound Japanese squash; nearly round with dark green rind, slightly mottled and ribbed; sweet and nutty flavor with yellow, thick flesh)
-How to use: Slice in half, scoop seeds out and bake with a little water in baking pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until tender; boil or steam chunks for 15-20 minutes, or until tender (peel skins off “before” or “after“ cooked, but “after” is easiest when it’s cooled); mash cooked squash with butter; purée cooked squash for creamy soup, or add uncooked chunks to soups or stews; add small amounts to yeast breads, muffins, cookies, pies, oatmeal.
-How to store: Keep for several months (depending on the variety) at 45-60 degrees with 60-75% humidity; will also store at room temperature.

RECIPES
**Keep in mind a very easy way to find recipe ideas for almost any combination of share box ingredients is to type the items into your preferred “search bar” with the word “recipe” after it.

TANTRE FARM SLAW (A simple, easy salad!) Serves 4.
2 medium beets, grated
3 large carrots, grated
1 kohlrabi, peeled and grated
1 watermelon radish, grated
sesame or sunflower seeds, toasted
olive oil
lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Grate vegetables into a bowl. Chop onion, if desired, and add to bowl. Toast sesame or sunflower seeds. Add when cooled. Add olive oil and lemon juice as a salad dressing to suit your taste. Be careful of too much liquid. The tartness of the lemon should be prominent. Serve immediately or marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator. Variations: Add grated turnips, lettuce. parsley, etc.

TANTRE FARM OVEN-ROASTED HARVEST VEGETABLES
**Keep in mind, any combination of the following root vegetables will work. Roasted veggies are standard at many Tantre Farm meals. Yummy!
1 c. Brussels sprouts, cut in halves
1 c. carrots, quartered or chunks
1/2 lb. unpeeled multi-colored potatoes, cut into chunks if large
1 watermelon or daikon radish, julienned
3-4 onions, sliced
1 rutabaga, cut into chunks
1 c. turnips, cut into chunks
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. winter squash, cut into chunks
3-4 Tbs. vegetable or olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine any combination of vegetables above in large bowl, except parsley. Drizzle oil over. Sprinkle with garlic, herbs, salt and pepper; toss gently to coat. Bake for 30 minutes in 1 or 2 roasting pans or until vegetables are beginning to slightly brown. Turn the vegetables 2 or 3 times during cooking to prevent burning. Then increase heat to 425° and add chopped parsley (or may be added as a fresh garnish at the very end), toss vegetables, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned. Makes 6-8 servings.

COCONUT-RUTABAGA-CARROT MASH (from http://www.redfirefarm.com/recipes)
2 rutabaga, roughly chopped
4-5 carrots, roughly chopped
2 T brown sugar or maple syrup
1/4 cup thick coconut milk (or light cream)
1/2 t nutmeg
salt to taste
Cook rutabagas and carrots in boiling salted water until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain vegetables, transfer to a food processor and purée with brown sugar, and cream until very smooth. If necessary, transfer purée back to pot and reheat.

WINTER VEGETABLE CHOWDER (from 366 Simply Delicious Dairy Free Recipes by Robin Robertson) Serves 6.
1 tsp. canola oil
½ cup onion, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
½ cup turnip, chopped
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped (optional)
1 cup winter squash, peeled and chopped
½ cup sweet red pepper, chopped
1 tsp. garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable stock or water
½ tsp. minced fresh thyme, or 2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped
2 cups kale (spinach, arugula, kohlrabi greens, tatsoi, cabbage)
1 cup unsweetened soymilk
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook onions, celery, turnip, and carrot for 5 minutes. Add sweet potato, squash, bell pepper, garlic, stock or water, and herbs. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Boil greens in lightly salted water for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Purée soup in a blender (or use a stick blender in saucepan) until smooth. Return to saucepan. Stir in the soymilk, cooked greens, and salt and pepper to taste. Slowly heat the soup, being very careful not to boil. Serve.

MARTHA STEWART’S PUMPKIN SOUP IN A PUMPKIN (from www.recipezaar.com) Serves 6.
6 cups chicken stock
2-3 cups pared pumpkin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh sage or rosemary leaves
5 peppercorns
1 medium pie pumpkin
1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
1 teaspoon chopped fresh, parsley
In a covered saucepan, heat the stock, cubed pumpkin, onion, garlic, salt, thyme, and peppercorns to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes. Remove 1/2 cup of the pumpkin with a slotted spoon; reserve. Simmer remaining pumpkin mixture, uncovered, 20 minutes longer; transfer to a large bowl. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Cut the top off the sugar pumpkin and remove the seeds. Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes; set aside in a warm spot. Puree 2 cups of the pumpkin mixture in a blender or food processor; return pureed mixture to the pot. Repeat with remaining pumpkin mixture. Heat pureed mixture to boiling; reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir warm cream and reserved pumpkin into soup. Place the warmed sugar pumpkin on a platter; ladle the soup in and garnish with parsley. Serve hot.

TATSOI STIR FRY
Olive oil
1 turnip and/or carrot, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 bunch tatsoi
salt and pepper to taste
Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until translucent. Add turnip & carrot slices and sauté 3 minutes. Add sliced tatsoi stems and cook another minute. Salt and pepper to taste. Add mushroom slices and stir fry another minute. Add tatsoi greens and steam with a cover for 3 minutes. Add a little hot water, if necessary.

DAIKON IN PLUM SAUCE (from Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt On Vegetables by John Peterson) Serves 3 to 4.
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons plum sauce
1 tablespoon minced scallion
3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 daikon radish, peeled, cut into matchstick-sized strips (could add watermelon radish as well)
2 tablespoons water
Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch in a small bowl; stir until cornstarch dissolves. Stir in the plum sauce and scallions. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Swirl the oil around the wok so that it covers the cooking area, then add the daikon; cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the water; cover. Cook until the daikon is tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture and continue cooking, stirring vigorously, until the sauce has thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

GERMAN SWEET AND SOUR CABBAGE
1 head cabbage, shredded
1/4 cup vinegar
1-cup onion, chopped
2 cups water
1 apple, chopped
3 Tbsp. sugar
salt
Salt the shredded cabbage and let sit for a half hour. Add remaining ingredients and simmer covered for one hour until cabbage is tender. Serve.

TETSUKABUTO SQUASH PIE (from Backwoods Home Cooking)
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
2 cups mashed or pureed, cooked pulp of Tetsukabuto squash
1/2 tsp. vanilla
10 oz. evaporated milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Thoroughly mix pulp, vanilla, and milk. Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, and ginger together and stir into the wet mixture. Pour into the pie shell and bake in 375° oven until the middle of pie is almost firm but still sticky. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with pecans. Continue baking until a straw inserted in the center comes out clean. Entire baking time takes 40-45 minutes.

VELVETY BEET AND COCOA CAKE (makes 2 9-inch cake layers)
3/4 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pureed cooked beets, juice drained off and 1/2 cup reserved
1/2 cup reserved beet juice
Heat the oven to 350’F. Cream the butter and sugar and beat in the eggs until light, pale, and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and add in alternating amounts with the milk. Add the beets and beet juice and mix for a couple minutes or until very smooth. Pour into two greased 9-inch cake pans and bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Layer with lightly sweetened whipped cream and cacao nibs.