From Far Afield A newsletter of the Tolstoy Farms CSA - September 2 & 5, 2015 32280 Mill Canyon Road N., Davenport, WA 99122 (509)725-FARM [email protected] www.tolstoyfarm.org EPTEMBER IS UPON US, ferent than summer squash in that it is salted water for fifteen minutes then and with the weather cool- harvested fully ripe (that is when the swish the heads vigorously for a few ing off it feels like fall com- seeds are fully developed); it has a hard seconds and they should all come S ing. The weather forecast outer shell, a richer flavor, and requires off. Do this directly before using. for Wednesday through Fri- much longer cooking than its tender I was just looking at a list day nights is calling for low tem- summer squash cousins. Pumpkins are compiled by the Consumers Union peratures to be in the 40-41 degree a type of winter squash; other varieties (the publishers of Consumer Reports range in Davenport. Typically our we grow are buttercup, acorn, carnival, magazine) of the fifteen fruits and lows are 3-8 degrees below Daven- delicata, spaghetti, and red kuri. Winter vegetables with highest pesticide port, meaning we are getting into the squash earn their name for the fact that residues in the U.S. Five of them they may be kept into or through the frost zone. The temperatures are sup- (bell peppers, green beans, cucum- winter. Winter squash improve in tex- posed to warm up after Friday night, bers, winter squash, and potatoes) ture and flavor if stored for a week or so hopefully we make it through are in your box this week. Three oth- two at room temperature before eating. without a frost. All squashes provide vitamin A and ers (strawberries, spinach, and cel- Something else which bodes vitamin C, some of the B vitamins, ery) have been in your box other autumn is in your box this week: calcium, potassium, iron, riboflavin, weeks. Eight of the fifteen worst you winter squash. Winter squash is dif- thiamine and are a good source of have had free of pesticide residues fiber. through this CSA. Nice. As a side In Your Box You have the variety of note, five others on the list (cherries, squash called Red Kuri this week. apricots, peaches, apples, and pears) • 2 pound Carola potato Red Kuri is also known as Orange you can get certified organic and pesticide residue free at the booth • 1 Red Kuri squash Hokkiado or in Japan, where this va- next to ours at the Spokane Farmers’ • riety was developed, Uchiki Kuri. 1 bunch broccoli Market, Cliffside Orchard. Not all of • 1 pounds tomatoes Kuri in Japanese means “chestnut”, a reference to a predominant part of its these things are at our booths at the • 1 bunch carrots flavor. Its yellow, sweet, nutty flesh same time, unfortunately, but such • 1 1/2 lb. beans is excellent roasted or in soups. Red are the benefits and limitations of • 1 bunch red and gold kuri is a maxima squash, i.e: in the shopping in-season locally. beets specie Cucurbita maxima , as is But- You have a couple of shallots tercup, versus Cucurbita pepo , the this week. Shallots are used in cui- • 1 sweet onions sines around the world, from France, • 2 shallots specie classification for Spaghetti, Acorn, Carnival, and Delicata where they are used in Béarnaise • 1 head garlic squashes. Maxima squashes are very sauce and vinaigrettes, to India, • 1 lettuce good for pies or added to breads, where they are used in curries.. They • 3 cucumber muffins, and cookies. Due to their eye are used a fundamental ingredient in Thai cuisine, where they are often • 1 1/2 pounds zucchini -pleasing colors and shapes, winter squash also make attractive décor un- roasted and crushed with garlic and • 1 bunch chard hot peppers to make a chile paste, or • 1 bunch mustard greens til eaten. The broccoli has gotten a few they are sliced in strips and fried to • 1 bunch basil aphids on it in the field. These are be used as crisp sprinkles. • 1 sweet pepper very small, sap-sucking bugs. We Basil is your herb. If we have • 1 Jalapeno pepper have thoroughly washed the broccoli killing frosts, some items may be adapted for Saturday. Enjoy Your • 2 Serrano to remove them all, but in the produce. • 1 Ancho pepper unlikely event you find some on yours, simply soak in cold, lightly- Beet, Goat Cheese & Honey-drizzled Tarts hour, or until tender enough to slice. Unwrap the beets and let cool until they are comfortable to the touch. Once 1 red beet cool, rub the beets to remove the skin. It should peel right 1 golden beet off! 2 tablespoons olive oil Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice the beets into 1/4- inch slices. I like to always start with the golden beet so 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed the color remains and it doesn't turn red. 1 egg + 1 teaspoon water, beaten Place the thawed puff pastry on a baking sheet. 6 ounces goat cheese Brush it with the beaten egg wash. Take 4 ounces of the 1/4 teaspoon salt goat cheese and spread it evenly over the pastry. Add the 1/4 teaspoon pepper sliced beets on top - however you'd like. Season with the 3 tablespoons honey salt and pepper and crumble the remaining goat cheese fresh basil leaves for garnish on top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Remove and drizzle the honey over top. Gar- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Slice the greens off nish with a few basil leaves. Serve immediately. the beets and scrub the outsides. Rub them down with olive oil then wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Roast for 1 Red Kuri Gratin In a bowl, add milk to the mashed red kuri squash. Fold in 2 ounces of the Gouda cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. • 1 large red kuri squash, seeded, cooked and coarsely Spoon mixture into a broiler-proof baking dish. Sprinkle mashed remaining cheese on top along with another sprinkle of • 3 ounces Gouda cheese, shredded ground black pepper. Brown in broiler. • 2 cups milk • Salt and pepper Preheat broiler to 400 degrees F. Red Kuri Coffee Cake • 1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg • 1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 Tbl) -room temperature/ Topping: soft • 2/3 cup oats • 1 egg • 1/2 cup whole almonds • 1 cup buttermilk • 3 Tbl melted butter • 3/4 cup baked kuri squash (or other winter squash) • 1/4 cup palm sugar • 9 or 10 inch baking dish or bread pan, rubbed with butter Pulse the oats in a blender till they resemble a coarse flour. Add the almonds and pulse a few more times until Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flours, sugar, cinna- the almonds are in small chunks. (Alternatively, chop up mon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg into a the oats and almonds with a sharp knife and add 1/4 cup medium bowl pouring back into the bowl any leftover whole wheat pastry flour). In a bowl combine the al- ingredient bits from the sifter. Softly mix to incorpo- mond/oat mixture, melted butter and sugar and set aside. rate. Add the softened butter and mix in with a spatula. Cake: Whisk together the egg, squash and buttermilk. Again • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour with the spatula (or spoon) gently mix the wet mixture • 1/2 cup all purpose unbleached four with the dry mixture until just combined. Pour into the • 1/2 cup palm sugar or organic cane sugar buttered baking dish and sprinkle with the reserved top- • 1 Tbl cinnamon ping. Place on a middle rack in the oven. Bake 45 min- • 1 tsp baking powder -aluminum free- utes to 1 hour until a toothpick inserted into the center • 1/2 tsp baking soda comes out clean. Serve coffee cake warm. • 1/2 tsp sea salt .