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. 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. **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.

 If you are new to our CSA, since you signed up with a prorated share, you can find all past newsletters on our website under the NEWSLETTERS section in the CSA Info tab.

THIS WEEK’S SHARE

ARUGULA: known as “wild rocket” with more deeply lobed leaves and a more pungent flavor; an aromatic, bright salad green with a peppery mustard flavor. See Week 1 newsletter for usage and storage tips..

SWEET CORN (Vision): exceptionally tender, super sweet, yellow ears; great for fresh eating and freezing. See Week 11 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

U-PICK FLOWERS (only available for picking on the farm): Every summer we plant a variety of flowers for drying or fresh bouquets. We welcome you to the farm to pick your flowers on any day of the week, but please contact us if it will be on other days besides our usual CSA distribution days of Wednesdays and Fridays, when we are already here, so we can make sure to be around to show you where to go. This week you can pick up to 10 stems per household. You may want to bring a vase/jar to keep your flowers fresh going home, but we will have donated yogurt containers to fill with water as well. Your bouquet is part of your share, although it is always greatly appreciated when you make any donation to pay for seeds and labor. Extra bouquets cost $5/bunch.

GARLIC: a bulb of several papery white cloves; believed to help in fighting infections, cancer prevention, bolstering the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and at least some people believe that it can ward off vampires and insects.
*Cooking tips: to mellow garlic’s strong flavor opt for longer cooking; to enjoy its more pungent flavors and increased medicinal benefit, use it raw or with minimal cooking. See Week 7 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

FRESH HERBS: Everyone will receive a bunch of Prospera Italian Large Leaf Basil this week, an herb with a sweet aroma with notes of anise in its green leaves; traditionally used in pesto. This herb does not store well in a refrigerator, since it does not like cold temperatures. It will last longer when stored in a jar, vase, or glass of water on your counter or table top.

KALE (Green Curly): well-ruffled, curly green leaves on green stems; this variety makes a good, roasted “kale chip”. See Week 3 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

ONIONS: You will receive any of the following Ailsa Craig Exhibition (a huge, sweet, mild, yellow-skinned, heirloom onion that is well known by British gardeners who grow show-size onions) OR Cipollini (a traditional Italian onion known for its flat, oval shape and delicately mild, sweet flavor; ranges in size from 1-3 inches; used for pickling and to season a wide variety of dishes and especially good grilled on a skewer). See Week 7 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

PEACHES or RED PEARS: You will receive Red Haven Peaches (an early rosy-orange skinned peach with firm, creamy yellow flesh; mature peaches will continue to ripen after they are picked; unfortunately many of them are very small, but we wanted you to at least have a taste of summer) OR Red Clapp’s Pears (one of the first fresh-eating pears on the market; very red fruit is sweet, fine-grained with very white flesh and excellent flavor).
-How to use: can be eaten raw, sliced in salads, hot cereals, yogurts, stuffings, sauces, or butters; can be prepared by juicing, baking, poaching or sautéing; coat slices with lemon juice to keep from darkening.
-How to store: ripening can occur either at room temperature or in the refrigerator; remove from refrigerator several days before eating; this variety of pear can store for 6 weeks in regular storage.

PEPPERS: You will receive Red Knight Bell (big, blocky, thick-walled, “green or changing to red” pepper) and/or Shishito (sweet, mild, slender Japanese chiles about 2- to 4-inches with squarish end; often used in stir-fried dishes, salads, or as a pickled condiment) and/or Carmen (6-inch long, tapered fruit that ripens from green to a deep “carmine” red; sweet taste in salads and when roasted and fully red-ripe). See Week 12 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

POTATOES: You will receive Carola (yellow potato from Germany; smooth, creamy texture that is good for baking or frying) AND/OR Red Sangre (one of the prettiest of all red skinned varieties with medium-sized oblong tubers; creamy white flesh that is especially delicious boiled or baked) AND/OR  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!). See Week 7 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

TOMATOES: You will receive any of the following Clementine (tangerine-colored, oval-round fruits; appealing, sweet-tart flavor; exceptional when halved and roasted) OR Cherry Mix (may include a colorful variety of Sakura, Tomatoberry, Sungreen Cherry, Indigo Cherry), and HEIRLOOMS –Cherokee Purple (heirloom, medium-large, flattened globe fruit with color as dusky pink and greenish blush), Brandywine (large, heirloom, beefsteak tomato–often over 1 lb–with a deep pink skin and smooth red flesh) and SLICERS –Geronimo (a beefsteak slicer variety; fruits are very large, firm, nice red color and good taste).   See Week 9 newsletter for usage and storage tips.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. FAMILY FARM HIKE on FRIDAY, Aug. 26, from 4 – 5 or 6 PM: Come join us for a guided monthly exploratory walk around Tantre Farm with CSA member, Alisse Portnoy, who teaches at the University of Michigan. She and her daughter, Jessica, are in their thirteenth year of once-a-week, long visits to the farm. They look forward to having you taste different tomatoes and other veggies and herbs, exploring the mysteries of the mushroom forest, and feeding the cows, chickens, and pigs. We’ll use all our senses as we take an approx. 45-60 minute hike. This is very kid friendly, since we will also be making corn husk dolls and roasting veggie snacks over an open fire  or in the earth oven. Please feel free to wear a mask if it makes you more comfortable, but not required. Meet at the picnic tables behind the Main House.

2. HIRED HELP STILL NEEDED: We are looking for additional help for the rest of the summer and into the fall. Some of our summer crew were students and they are heading back to school, so we are short-handed going into the fall. We are looking for part-time and full-time workers who are interested in getting their hands dirty and enjoy healthy, hearty, hard work. We provide home-cooked lunches every day with food from the farm. Room and board are available for full time work, and part time work is available as well for an hourly wage. Please email us or fill out an application from our website at https://www.tantrefarm.com/internships/.

3. WANTED: TOMATO PICKERS!! Is there anyone interested in helping us pick tomatoes any weekday morning for the next few weeks, but especially on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday anytime from 7 – 11:30 AM? We will even feed you a homemade, farm-cooked lunch at 12 PM if you stay. We are currently short-handed and appreciate any extra help.

4. ALREADY PICKED TOMATOES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: We have some tomato varieties ripening for preserving, whether canning, dehydrating, or freezing, but today we have only VERONA picked for bulk orders at the Farm and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. It is very easy to freeze all tomatoes: For slicers, just wash and cut out around the core and put in freezer bags whole. For cherry tomatoes, just wash and plop in freezer bags for excellent tomato soup or other dishes. Please email us your name, phone number, amount needed in lbs, and pick up location ONLY at the Markets, the Food Hub, or the Farm with BULK TOMATOES in your Subject Line. *Available on this Wednesday is “Verona” (small Roma tomatoes- excellent for dehydrating and canning for tomato sauce and extremely easy to freeze since just wash and put in freezer bags) – $30/half bushel box.

5. U-PICK RASPBERRY PATCH OPEN SATURDAY and SUNDAY: We will be open this Saturday and Sunday at this point from 8 AM-4 PM, since there are definitely some ripe raspberries finally coming in! U-pick is $6/pint and $4/half pint for Already Picked Raspberries. To keep informed go to https://www.tantrefarm.com/tantre-farm-raspberry-u-pick.

6. HOLLERFEST (https://www.hollerfest.com):  We are donating over 540 ears of corn, 50 pounds of tomatoes, and a few watermelon to this music festival that is run by our friends at Frog Holler Organic Farm in Brooklyn, MI.  The festival features live music from 60 local bands, delicious organic food, camping, workshops, and more.  You can attend for a day or the whole weekend.  This is a kid friendly event, and loads of fun with excellent food, so feel free to check it out!  

7. STILL PLENTY OF BOXES AVAILABLE FOR OUR IMMUNE BOOSTER CSA THIS WEEK: Please feel free to sign up for our weekly, collaborative CSA share if you would like to supplement your box or give it as a gift. The menu is updated on our website every Monday – Wednesday http://www.tantrefarm.com/how-does-our-immune-booster-csa-work/. Still time to sign up this week for a share!

8. PICK UP TIMES & LOCATIONS REMINDER: Please use your Member Dashboard to schedule Vacations or Pick up Location Changes or let us know if you are having any problems with rescheduling.
*Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Wed.)—7 AM to 12 PM
*MOVE Fitness & Wellness Studio (Wed)—8 AM to 12 PM
*Farm (Wed.)—10 AM to 7 PM
*Washtenaw Food Hub (Wed.) –6 PM to 8 PM (Hub Farm Market open during this time!)
*Pure Pastures (Wed.)—9 AM to 11 AM
*Farm (Fri.)—2 PM to 7 PM
**Community High School CHANGED TO AA FARMERS MARKET (Sat.) —7 AM to 12 PM
*Washtenaw Food Hub (Sat.)—9 AM to 12 PM
*Chelsea Farmers’ Market (Sat.)—9 AM to 12 PM
*Argus-Packard (Sat) 10:30 AM to 3 PM
*RoosRoast-Rosewood (Sat)–9 AM to 11 AM
*HoneyBee U-pick (Sat)–8 AM to 12 PM

CORN LOVERS OF ALL SIZES

We are sure you had been waiting impatiently as we have for our first bite of corn. This cold weather has kept this high summer crop slow growing, but it is finally ready. As we introduce you to your Tantre corn, we would be remiss if we forgot about our yearly introductions to two fellow corn lovers: the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and the Corn Earworm (Heliothis zea), which you may have encountered already.

The European corn borer has been a resident of the U.S. since the early 1900s. The larvae are grayish-pink caterpillars with dark heads and spots on the top of each segment about 1 inch long. They chew on leaves and tassels of corn, but especially favor the tasty insides of stalks and ears. It is not partial to corn though, since it has been recorded on 200 different plants, including beans, celery, beets, and potatoes.

Despite the fact that we hear much about the corn borer, the earworm is probably the worst pest of corn. It is said that American farmers grow two million acres of corn a year just to feed it. The color of the larvae varies from white to green and even red. They have four pairs of prolegs, are spined, and 1-1/2 inches long. These voracious eaters enter corn ears at the tip and work their way to the kernels.

If you are “lucky” enough to encounter one of these guests in your ear of corn this week, don’t throw the ear away, just break off the offensive part and cook the rest. We are “pleased” to introduce you to these smaller relatives who share your taste for corn.

RECIPES

COLD CREAM OF TOMATO AND PEACH SOUP
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
2 lbs tomatoes, chopped
1/2 lb peaches, chopped and peeled
1/2 cup cream (optional)
Tarragon for garnishing
 
       Cook onion in butter for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and peaches. Simmer until the tomatoes break up. Add cream (optional, but good), puree and chill. Garnish with chopped tarragon.

TOAST OF SUMMER SANDWICH (from Learning to Eat Locally)
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
2 knifefuls chevre, feta, or mozzarella slices
1/2 tomato, thinly sliced
4 arugula leaves, thinly sliced
         Make a sandwich and enjoy!

POTATO ARUGULA SALAD (from Capay Organic Farm CSA “Farm Fresh to You” website) Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lbs red potatoes cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/4 tsp pepper
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar or regular vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp of fresh minced tarragon or thyme
1 bunch arugula, rinsed and chopped or torn
2 cloves minced garlic
1 pt of cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 tsp salt

      Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add cubed potatoes and cook until tender, about 12-15 minutes. In a bowl, mix next 5 ingredients until salt dissolves. Whisk in oil until it thickens. Drain potatoes, return to pot. Toss with dressing, tomatoes, and arugula. Serve at room temperature.

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