CSA (our) week 6: August 20th, 2009

1. Basil - 1 bunch
2. Mini-Tomatoes - 1 carton
3. Beans - 1 lb
4. Squash, Summer -2 lb
5. Cucumbers - 1 lb
6. Lettuce - 1 head

Being a part of this CSA means that 5 times throughout the season I (or John) need to help out for two hours on pick-up day. If you don't work then you loose a $100 "will work deposit" that you put down at the beginning of your share. (If you complete all of your work time for that season you won't have to put down the deposit next year) This is actually something I was excited about. It only takes 5 minutes to pick-up a share. Not long enough to get a good idea of who you are sharing this CSA with, something I am naturally inclined to be curious about. I was also interested to see what goes on behind the scenes, and I did.

I chose the later hours 5:30-7:30 because I work. It just so happens that those are the least desirable hours to work (which makes me wonder how so many people can be available from 3:30-5:30?)

The most uncomfortable part of this job is "policing" the table. I don't mind explaining what each person is supposed to take but having to look over their shoulder and make sure they're only taking what I told them too is just too much for me. I understand that every ounce counts but if someone has to look through 5 different zucchini because the scale is 1 ounce over I say... take the 1 ounce, there are plenty of zucchini. Last week there were 2 large boxes (probably close to 50lbs) left over.
I understand the idea behind this; everyone pays the same everyone should get the same. Unless, of course, you have some special affiliation with the CSA [sarcasm] but that is an off-web topic. I just mean let’s cut people some slack. You don't need to "police" the pick-up. If people have read what they're supposed to take, and it is explained to them, and you can tell they clearly understand, then I honestly believe that 99% of people are not going to cheat on their share. And the other 1%? Well, you can tell pretty well if someone is taking 5 zucchini that it's not going to equal 2lbs and then you can politely confirm that they understand it's 2lbs of zucchini they are getting.
So those are my thoughts (bit of a rant) on that.

From my basil I made pesto. Basically I fought with the only machine I have in the house capable of chopping anything (a blender meant to [pretty much exclusively] make mixed drinks) to chop up the basil best it could and mix it with oil so it would not spoil before I could do something with it. It worked as well as I needed it too. Luckily, I received a call today that my mom has purchased a food processor for me. Hallelujah! I did not expect it but it is a welcomed and much needed gift. That's two down (dehydrator and food processor.) I will be mixing the garlic and parmesan into the basil and oil just as soon as I can get that food processor over here.

I also used quite a bit of the basil making tomato sauce from the tomatoes John's mom has given us plus those we've been getting from our garden. I've made the equivalent of 5 jars so far.

The beans were blanched, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper.
Served with buffalo shrimp and peach salsa (courtesy of Sam's peaches which were the best I've EVER tasted) Recipe for both will follow in another post.

The cucumbers were used for the ricotta topped cucumber slices. Whatever didn't make it into the mix, I will be using to make a very simple cucumber and tomato salad. That is, cucumbers sliced, tomatoes sliced, red onion and dressing. I'll probably use our leftover beans in this as well.

I have actually been using the lettuce...sort of. I have used it for sandwiches and our roommate Chris' guinea pig has been enjoying it as well.

The zucchini was used for zucchini parmesan. See following post.