About the Farm, from the Farmer

Message from the Farm

Dear CSA Member,

Summer time. Isn’t it wonderful? Hot, sunny and humid. I never thought that the dog days of summer would feel so good. Last summer we were just miserable, frustrated and tired. The endless rain and cold weather seemed like it brought such dreary days not to mention the mud,mosquitos and blight. This summer has been very different and we are so very happy to be able to fill your shares with Tomatoes, Summer Squash and Cucumbers. Tomatoes are just starting and we are still anxiously watching them ripen. The Cherry Tomatoes are always first. The three varieties are so beautiful in the baskets: Red Washington Cherry (larger, red), Gold Nugget (oval, yellow) and our long time favorite, Sun Gold Cherry (small, round, golden).

Hope you are enjoying the Summer Squash and Cucumbers as well. They are producing at their peak right now. Please don’t be reluctant to take some of the larger Summer Squash. The Romanesco (thick, green squash with defined ridges) and Sunburst Patty Pan (flattened bright yellow discs with star shape edges) are delicious and beautiful if sliced cross wise, brushed with olive oil and grilled. Their ridges make an interesting shape and the larger squash hold up well to grilling. The larger Zucchini are the best to grate and use in Zucchini Bread or Zucchini Cake. Summer Squash is also handy if it is grated, frozen in zip lock bags and then used later on in the fall or winter. Most recipes call for 2 cups so if you measure it out before freezing, all you will need to do is defrost and use in the recipe.

Enjoy the Vegetables,
Deborah for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

~Deb (fourth from the right) and Pete (2nd from the right)

This Week's Delivery & Newsletter (07/27/2010)

Summer Squash-2 pounds
Boothby Blonde/Poona Kherna Cucumbers-1 pound
You may see some larger cucumbers, some brownish or rust colored cucumbers and even some greenish cucumbers mixed in with the light blonde Boothby Cucumbers. We tried a new variety of heirloom cucumbers this year, Poona Kherna. No sure if we will grow them again. They are an heirloom variety that grow very uncontrolled in so many different shapes and colors. They are pictured in the seed catalog as a rust brown cucumber which should have been a hint right there, but I thought we would give them a try. They still taste good-just very unpredictable and the brown ones are not very appealing.
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage-1 each
Scallions-1 bunch
Lettuce-1 head-this is quite small, but all that will grow in the heat. Lettuce does not produce well in hot weather.
Dill-1 bunch
Peppers-3 each
Tomatoes-1 pound
Cherry Tomatoes-1 basket
Okra-if you like. It is a little big as I have been told. We will try to pick it more often in the future.

Fruit Share

1 basket Shiro Plums, 1 bag Yellow Peaches and White Nectarines.

Stoneledge Farm

Stoneledge Farm is a family farm located approximately 2 1/2 hours ride north from New York City in South Cairo, New York.. The Kavakos family, Pete and Deborah along with their four children Berkley, Carly, Peter and Brenna, operates the farm utilizing sustainable organic farming methods. Stoneledge Farm is located in the Northern Catskill region between the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River. The crop lands are located along the Catskill Creek that provides an ample source of water for irrigation.

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Harvest Calendar 2008

Spring through Fall – Herbs: Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Genovese Basil, Opal Basil, Cilantro, Sage, Rosemary, Summer Savory, Basil, Opal Basil, Cilantro, Sage, Rosemary, Summer Savory; Beets: Red Ace, Chiogga, Golden(if seed is available)

Spring through Summer – Scallions; Perpetual Spinach

Spring – Cabbage: Early Jersey Wakefield, Chinese; Greens: Mizuna, Joi Choi, Red Choi, Arugula, Sorrel; Lettuce: Red Sail, New Red Fire, Buttercrunch, Romaine; Sugar Snap Peas; Rat Tail Radish; Beans: Green, Roma Flat, Soy Beans (Edamame)

Summer – Cucumbers: Slicing, Lemon; Eggplant: Black Bell, Orient Express; Fennel; Onions: Ailsa Craig, Mini Purplette; Peppers: Purple Islander, Biscayne, Lipstick, Jalapeno, Chili, Habanero, Ancho; Summer Squash: Zucchini, Zephyr, Sunburst; Bright Lights Swiss Chard; Tomatoes: Heirlooms - Flora Lee, Gold Queen; Slicing Tomatoes; Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes; Tomatillo

Fall – Broccoli; Brussels Sprouts; Cabbage: Green, Red; Cauliflower; Carrots: Yellow, Orange; Celariac; Garlic; Kale: Winterbor Green, Red Russian, Siberian; Collards; Leeks; Lettuce: Red Sail, New Red Fire, Buttercrunch, Romaine; Storage Onions: Potatoes: Gold, Red, White, Blue; Pie Pumpkin; Radish: Diakon, Black, Red Meat; Rutabaga; Winter Squash: Carnival, Acorn, Delicata, Butternut; Turnips: Purple Top, Golden Globe; Shallots