Well, it seems like we made it through the first week with a reasonable amount of confusion, about what I would normally expect. I put a few names on the wrong list and the number of shares did not match the number of names for some pick ups. Of course, I accept all responsibility for these mistakes, and I just like to share with you that it is difficult to keep it all together, especially with late joiners and pick up location switchers to keep it lively. I truly appreciate your understanding and forgiveness when I get it wrong on occasion, and usually I am offering to make it right some way or another. Thank you so much for supporting agriculture on such a personal level. Special thanks to our great Wednesday pick up hosts, Lynn and Erica, for helping it all work out.

This week Mimi and Genine were so happy to cut broccoli crowns for CSA, and Yair, Leticia, and Nora were so happy to bunch the first sweet carrots for CSA! And all of this happiness was so necessary to counterbalance Colin’s deep sadness at the loss of his ducks. To be sure, all of us are sad about it, but Colin is the specific daddy of all the poultry here, and he loves them so. This morning started off strange, with Mimi and Nora trying to catch a duck that somehow wound up in the pen with the hens out front. We finally caught the duck and gave it to Colin to take out to the duck area out back. Just as we were all ready to start our harvest work, Colin returned from the duck area to tell us that something awful had happened out there. The electric fence was down in several places and the ducks were all either gone, or dead.

Colin buried 14 of his 50 ducks this morning. The others are nowhere to be found. Last year when a raccoon attacked, the ducks disappeared overnight, only to return the next day, lined up for breakfast. Most of us are hoping for a similar outcome to this story; a cute line up of crafty survivors re-appearing from their hiding places tomorrow morning. I’ll tell you if it happens next week in the newsletter. As for what animal was responsible for the damage, who knows? Coyote, raccoon, weasel, neighborhood dog? Someone may begin night watch duty soon. Good news is that all of the chickens are alive and well.

Broccoli Raab is a new crop for us here at Kirsop Farm. It is clearly in the same plant family as the broccoli, but is a variety grown for its slender stems, leaves, and delicate flower buds. Think of it like broccoli side shoots and kale leaves all in one bundle. Broccoli raab is great for sautéed dishes or stir fry. You can also boil or steam it as you would broccoli. As with any new vegetable, it is a great idea to try a bite raw, first. If you like the bite, you’re all done cooking before you even start. My favorite recipe for broccoli raab is from a cookbook called “Fresh Food Fast” that I keep on checking out from the library and keeping too long. The recipe is for boiled broccoli raab served with brown butter and balsamic sauce. All you do is put some water on to boil, chop your bunch into two inch long pieces and drop them in to cook for a few minutes until tender. Meanwhile, melt some butter until it bubbles and browns a bit, then add a splash of balsamic vinegar. Drain the raab and serve with the sauce poured over it. Easy. The recipe in the official cookbook recommends browning the butter on high heat, but when we tried that it did not go well, so I would personally recommend a medium setting.

For all of our happiness at harvest today, we came up a few bunches shy of a full CSA load for broccoli raab. Those of you who do not receive broccoli raab this week will receive extra broccoli, and next week we will be sure to get you those bunches. We just have to let the plants grow a few more of those tender tasty bud stems for you. On occasion we will need to have you all take turns getting a certain item in the box from week to week, but rest assured, we want all of you to have it all, and we do our best to make it all come out right. Also note, we provide a trade box at most pick up sites, so that you can swap out some thing you know you won’t eat for some other thing you are more likely to use. The trade box is the best idea we have come up with over the years to address the idea that “you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. If you pick up at one of our market sites, you can trade with the table.

Wherever you choose to pick up your share, I hope that you will choose to bring your own bags and transfer the contents of the box into them, because we are having a heck of a time keeping enough boxes around to box up all the shares!! I plan to purchase another pallet or two of the boxes new, but like everything else the price just keeps on rising and I’d rather spend the farm’s money on seeds and wages and other fun stuff, than packaging materials. Many thanks to Sue at Helsing Farms for helping me get a great deal on boxes and transpotation. She has a truly cooperative and generous spirit.

Broccoli is so deliciously normal that I don’t feel compelled to give recipes for it. The same brown butter balsamic scheme could apply to broccoli as well as broccoli raab. A cheese sauce, or melted cheese with broccoli is always nice. I like mine steamed with a little salt at the table.

We have many chickens available for ordering still, and turkeys. We also have CSA shares available. We will always say yes to a new CSA member, because it is our favorite way to sell our precious harvest, directly to someone we know who wants to eat it and thrive!