The benefit of a CSA with a u-pick garden

Since our pick up time is Mondays from 4:30-6:30pm, I am always there right after work in my work clothes. This time, we decided to check out the u-pick garden, even though we were on the dressy side of farming decor. It was absolutely worth it and I want every CSA I ever have to have a u-pick option.

Here is how it worked this week:

In our normal share, we got enough for 4 people. However, I really love snap peas and so excited to hear that the sugar snap peas were in the u-pick garden. We asked one of the student farmers to show us the u-pick garden. They required a guide the first time because they don't want novices to harvest things wrong. 

In our u-pick, not everything is ready for harvest at any point. Here is what they have overall:

• chard
• kale
• collard greens
• sugar snap peas
• basil
• dill
• parsley
• sage
• rosemary
• tomatoes
• strawberries
• wildflowers
• a fruit forrest (no clue what is in there)

This is a completely separate garden and there are some rules: 

1. don't harvest things not ready for harvest
2. first come, first served
3. leave enough for others

I absolutely loved it. I could get extras of what I liked and even some things that weren't in this week's share (like more kale and chard). 

So, if a u-pick garden is an option for you- DEFINITELY DO IT!

How to clean your CSA veggies

My cleaning routine has been trial and error.

The first week, I rinsed everything and laid it out on paper towel to dry. It worked but it took forever to dry and I went through tons of paper towel. That wasn't going to work.

The second week, I forgot to clean the lettuce before making my salad. It only takes 1 little bug on the lettuce to remind you to clean your veggies before eating.

This last week, I decided to get a salad spinner. BEST DECISION EVER. There is so much to clean and it is so helpful in drying. I'm sure there are super fancy ones but I got the cheapest on at my local grocery store.

Then I set up my sink differently. I put the uncleaned veggies to the left of the sink. I rinse the big things in the sink like normal but I set up my colander in the second sink. This has been so helpful with salad mix and small things like beans. I then salad spin what I can to the right of the sink and then lay out the veggies on rows of paper towel on a nearby counter. So far, this has worked very well. 

It doesn't hurt that it is also very pretty to see all the veggies cleaned and laid out.

Week 5: and a pickle!

Well, the amount of goodies is growing tremendously. I don't know what everything thing is but I've made up my own names.

Things my share-partner and I split:

• Rainbow chard
• dinosaur chard
• BAC- big-assed chard
• collard greens
• purple bulb things (turnip?)
• garlic snapes
• snap peas
• kale
• green onions
• lettuce mix
• romain lettuce
• and a pickle

Things I didn't take (and let my share partner have): carrots, beets, endive.

Funny note: Endive is pronounced end-dive, not ahn-deeve. :) I thought it was french lettuce. I was saying that wrong all day.

I know it seems like a lot of greens but it is amazing how much the greens cook down to almost nothing. I will eat this without an issue this week as I like almost everything. Also, if I don't get to it, I'll be seeing family on Friday so I can always bring it with me to the 4th of July.