The years when we’ve belonged to our CSA are the ones where I’ve really noticed that seasons are changing. As each new crop comes in, you realize that we are getting ever closer to fall and winter. This week’s share certainly reflects that.
The weather has been noticeably cooler here in the Hudson Valley. Nightly temperatures have been in the low 50s and days in the mid-70s. It is absolutely gorgeous! And then there are the little things like how it’s getting darker just a little earlier every day. (Our farm newsletter noted that the chickens are turning in to roost a full hour earlier every night.) There might even be a leaf or two starting to change color.
This week’s share marks the last of the melons, which for me is a yet another sign that summer is (nearly) over. Tomatoes are in full swing, and they’re already talking about the return of cool-weather greens. But on to the share at hand!
I went later than usual, so things were a little picked over (and all the PYO cherry tomatoes had been, well, picked). But still, I came home with a full basket and then some! We got one head of lettuce, a bunch of leeks, green beans, summer squash and zucchini, tomatoes (I picked a mix of Juliet and a couple heirlooms, of which I naturally forgot the names — German something and Yellow something), cukes (there was also an “imperfect – take what you want” bucket, so I grabbed three from there), cantaloupes (we could take three, but I thought two was reasonable), a watermelon, garlic, three basil plants (yes, the entire plants), and as much dill and cilantro as we wanted. I pulled up two cilantro bunches and three or four dill plants. We also had our flowers, but I forgot to put them in the photo.
Today I’m going to attempt to make pesto with all the basil, so be sure to check back to see how that goes! I also plan to make my dad’s overnight pickles with the smaller cucumbers and some of that dill. I’ll probably freeze most of it. I already have a nice stash from previous shares, as well as dill my parents brought from their garden. I should be all set for my winter soups!