Welcome to Garden Patch Farm Online

CSA NEWSLETTER #5

SEPTEMBER 1, 2004

We hope you are enjoying those tomatoes as much as we are! Tim has made his wonderful Gazpacho already and we've been eating tomato sandwiches. Yum!

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:

RED DALE POTATOES, YUKON POTATOES, CARROTS, GREEN ONIONS, GARLIC, REGULAR CUCUMBERS, LEMON CUCUMBERS, PICKLING CUCUMBERS, RED RADISHES, WHITE RADISHES, SWEET PURPLE BELL PEPPERS, SWEET BANANA PEPPERS, MELONS, SOME VARIETIES OF CABBAGE: SAVOY, HARD, & PURPLE, SOME VARIETIES OF TOMATOES, AND BASIL--YOU CUT.

BY REQUEST A DAY AHEAD OF TIME: HUNGARIAN HOT PEPPERS, JALAPENO PEPPERS, GREEN CAYENE PEPPERS, KALE, KOHLRABI, AND LARGE STUFFING CABBAGE.

OBSERVED:

*NO GREEN PEPPERS THIS WEEK

*NO ZUCCHINI THIS WEEK

*BI-COLOR CORN NEXT WEEK! (SMALL EARS & SMALL QUANTITIES)

"WHAT'S THAT AND WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT"?

WE'RE QUITE CERTAIN YOU ARE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH TOMATOES, BUT WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE SOME HINTS FOR PREPARATION AND ONE OF ROBIN'S RECIPES.

* Tomatoes' acidity reacts wtih certain metals (such as aluminum) and you end up with an off-taste. Cook in stainless steel, enamel, or some of the newer coated pans.

* Make a Tomato Mayonnaise to accompany cold shellfish. Combine 1 cup homemade mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon heavy cream and 2 tablespoons tomato puree`. Fold in 1/2 cup diced tomato pulp.

* Add layers of peeled, seeded, and drained sliced tomatoes to a macaroni and cheese bake

* Layer 1 pound peeled, sliced, and drained green tomatoes with 1 pound sliced apples for a green tomato-apple pie.

* Put honey and sliced tomatoes on an English muffin.

* Add broth to extra cold tomato sauce for a refreshing soup.

* A bit of sugar or sweet carrots cooked along with tomatoes counteracts excessive acidity.

* Use tomatoes to top a pizza--one of Robin's favorites!

* Alternate sliced tomatoes with thinly sliced mozzarella cheese. Top with basil or fresh oregano, and dress with olive oil.

* Alternate sliced tomatoes with thinly sliced sweet onion (like Vidalia) rings and top with chopped fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and good-quality olive oil.

* Tim's Favorite Tomato Sandwich: Pumpernickel bread--lightly toasted, cream cheese, slices of large tomatoes, slices of sweet Vidalia onion, lettuce, fresh pepper, salt. Yum!!

RECIPE

ZESTY PASTA SALAD

6 oz Feta cheese, crumbled

4 large tomatoes, chopped, about 2 cups

1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped

4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 2 teaspoons dried basil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

10 oz small pasta, cooked & drained

In large bowl, combine Feta cheese, tomatoes, onion, basil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir in hot cooked pasta. Toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

Optional: You may also add 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped and/or 1/2 cup small black olives, halved.

BOXES/BASKETS:

REMEMBER TO REUSE THESE EACH WEEK ALONG WITH YOUR GPF PRODUCE BAGS!

KINDLY REMINDERS:

* CHECK OUT ROBIN'S RECIPES AT PICK UP TIME--YOU ARE WELCOME TO TAKE ANY THAT YOU'D FIND USEFUL!

* REMEMBER TO CHECK OFF THE LINE BY YOUR NAME ON THE MEMBER SHEET WHEN YOU COME TO PICK UP

* PLEASE EMAIL/CALL FOR REQUESTED ITEMS LISTED ABOVE A DAY AHEAD IF POSSIBLE

* PLEASE EMAIL/CALL TO LET US KNOW IF SOMEONE ELSE IS GOING TO PICK UP FOR YOU; WE NEED THEIR NAME AND PHONE # TOO. IF YOU CANNOT ARRANGE THIS, WE ARE SORRY BUT WE CANNOT "SAVE" YOUR SHARE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK'S PICK UP--WE WANT TO PROVIDE ONLY FRESH PRODUCE FOR YOU! WE ALSO CANNOT DOUBLE YOUR SHARE FOR THE NEXT WEEK IF YOU MISS THE PREVIOUS WEEK. WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING. THANK YOU!

* STAY A BIT IF YOU CAN! YOUR ANIMALS ARE WELCOME, TOO. WE JUST ASK THAT YOU KEEP THEM IN THE FRONT YARD OR OVER BY THE FLOWER/HERB FIELD--AWAY FROM THE CHICKENS THAT ARE IN THE BACK YARD, AS THEY SCARE EASY. THANK YOU!

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!