Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Autumn (believe it or not…it’s really not winter yet till December 21st)!

This week is Thanksgiving week! The CSA delivery will be on Wednesday, November 27th, and the hours for the CSA will be 2:30pm to 7:30pm (or until all the CSA shares are picked up…let me know if you’re not going to show up so we don’t have to wait for you if you’re not getting someone to get your food for you…or maybe I can help you get someone to hold your food till you get back from wherever you’re going)…

Last day of the CSA for 2013 is December 12th. Info about 2014 CSA season TBA.

This email includes…

1. Your CSA needs you this week! We’re looking for at least 4 people that can work some hours between 2:30pm to 7:30pm…
2. News from the Farm
3. Got kids (any kind…little ones or adult)? Interested in holistic parenting/grandparenting and living and/or learning about living a healthy lifestyle?
4. This week’s list (subject to change without notice…farming is like that!)
5. Help young local farmers (and young farmers around the world) learn…
6. What to do with Black Spanish Radishes, Misato (alias Watermelon) Radishes, and Winter Radishes in general…
7. What Dr. Andrew Weil has to say about Winter Squash!
8. Potatoes and Onions…can they live together in harmony?
9. Event Listings
10. Click here…
11. What you actually got last week
12. And now for something completely different…



1. Help! Your CSA needs you this week! We’re looking for at least 4 people that can work some hours between 2:30pm to 7:30pm…

If you can work this week from 2:30 to 5:30pm, or 5:30pm to 7:30pm, or 2:30pm to 7:30pm please (or any combination of hours that will get the CSA 2 people to be there from 2:30pm to 7:30pm)…
A. respond to this email before noon on Wednesday
B. call 631-421-4864 before noon on Wednesday
C. call 631-385-1079 after 2pm on Wednesday
D. show up a little before 2:30pm or 5:30pm on Wednesday

If you didn’t get a confirmation email from Judi (occasionally it’s me), you’re not scheduled to work this week. And if you got an email from Judi asking you to confirm that you’re working…you need to respond to that in the time frame stated in the email otherwise she’s going to try and find someone else to take your place.



2. News from the Farm

November 16, 2013

Our CSA season is drawing to a close. Our last CSA delivery will be the 2nd week in December (Thursday, December 12th).

Our fall crops are mostly doing well. Broccolis, Cabbages, and Cauliflowers have all been damaged by geese and deer just as they all began to head up. So, we have had very little of those crops to bring in to our CSA members. Chois (Pak and Bok), Scallions, Radishes, Turnips, Lettuces, Carrots, and Beets are all doing well. We also have only a few Sweet Potatoes left. Our Sweet Potato crop total was down about HALF from last year. There was a lower total yield plus less size per Sweet Potato. This was due to the colder than normal summer, and also less rain as well. Some crops always do well…other not so much. Ever year, and growing season, is different. Growing food is always a challenge!

We did well this year with Tomatoes, Beans, Summer Squashes, Lettuces, Celery (we only got NINE total in 2012!), and with all types of greens…Oriental, Italian and others. Turnips, Radishes and Carrots also were plentiful throughout the year.

Now is the time to start thinking about the 2014 season and what we can do to keep everything running smoothly. We plan on growing all the same crops in about the same amounts however, what produce gets brought in to the CSA each week depends largely upon Mother Nature.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Farmer Bill (Halsey)



3. Got kids (any kind…little ones or adult)? Interested in holistic parenting/grandparenting and living and/or learning about living a healthy lifestyle?

CSA member Vickie Muller started the Huntington Chapter of the Holistic Mom’s Network (HMN) just over two years ago. Huntington HMN is in search of an enthusiastic and passionate co-leader to work together with Vickie to fulfill our vision and inspire others about holistic living.

Holistic Mom’s is a widely recognized and respected non-profit organization as a resource link for helping parents to find support and information on natural health, wellness, and informed holistic parenting.

We are looking forward to continue to grow with fresh new ideas. If you think you are interested or know someone else who might be please reply to this email and you’ll be put in touch with Vickie to get more info.



4. This week’s list (subject to change without notice…farming is like that!)

Week #31
November 27, 2013

1. Sweet Potatoes*
2. Lettuce – 1 head
3. Arugula – 1 bunch
4. Rosemary OR Sage – 1 bunch
5. Squash, Winter: Acorn** – 1
6. Rutabagas

Total Items: 6 (?)

*
Sweet Potato Recipes…

Ciabatta Stuffing with Chorizo, Sweet Potatoes and Shiitake Mushrooms…
http://food52.com/recipes/1516-ciabatta-stuffing-with-chorizo-sweet-potato-and-mushrooms

Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili…
http://food52.com/recipes/20498-smoky-black-bean-and-sweet-potato-chili

Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges…
http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000000701068,00.html

Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Corn Flake Topping…
http://www.attunefoods.com/blog/2012/11/sweet-potato-casserole-with-crispy-corn-flake-topping/?utm_source=family-fresh-cooking&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=brandam&utm_content=sweet-potato-casserole-with-crispy-corn-flakes-topping

Sweet Potato Gratin…
http://food52.com/recipes/738-individual-sweet-potato-gratins-with-creme-fraiche-onions-and-bacon

Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Eggs
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/10/26/chile-sweet-potato-hash-with-fried-eggs-recipe/

Sweet Potato and Roasted Beet Salad…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2013/02/15/rustic-roasted-beet-sweet-potato-salad-recipe/

Sweet Potato Souffle with Feta and Sage…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/10/24/sweet-potato-souffle-with-feta-and-sage-recipe/

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes…
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/twice-baked-sweet-potatoes-recipe/index.html

Vegan Sweet Potato Anytime Cookies…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/12/28/sweet-potato-anytime-cookies-recipe/


**
Acorn Squash for breakfast? Why, yes!
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2013/01/11/acorn-squash-quinoa-breakfast-porridge-recipe/



5. Help young local farmers (and young farmers around the world) learn…

From now till December 27th, 2013, you have the chance to help fund a series of videos produced as part of Cornell University’s Northeast Beginning Farmers Project. The goal is $15,000 and they’ve raised about $3,000 so far.

This project has helped thousands of new and aspiring farmers (not just in NY or the northeast, but around the world!) get started, by providing trainings and connections to the resources they need to develop strong farm businesses. Being able to hear advice from real farmers–and seeing how things are produced on the farm–is priceless both for these new farmers and for any eater interested in how food is produced. The Northeast Beginning Farmer Project started producing videos in 2008, starting with a series called “Voices of Experience,” which provides farm business advice from successful small farmers, and “Video Mentors,” which shows behind-the-scenes production techniques for vegetables, fruits, poultry, pigs, and more. They’ve made these clips freely available on their YouTube channel. Funding to allow these videos to continue to be made, and continue to bring much needed information to help beginning farmer’s flourish is needed.

To learn more about this project…
http://nebeginningfarmers.org/

To make a donation…
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/small-farm-videos-learn-how-successful-small-farms-produce-good-food



6. What to do with Black Spanish Radishes, Misato (alias Watermelon) Radishes, and Winter Radishes in general…

Black Spanish Radishes…
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589989

For those of you who aren’t fans of the Black Spanish Radish (or who are!  )…
http://noteatingoutinny.com/2013/02/04/ode-to-a-difficult-food-black-radish/


Here’s a recipe for the Watermelon (Misato) Radish Chips…
When I had them, it was just oil and salt so I guess you could add whatever spices you might want to add…or not!
http://thoughtfulconsumption.com/2009/05/31/baked-watermelon-radish-chips/

And another recipe that’s even easier…
Baked Watermelon Radish Chips
I liked this idea better than the ‘fried’ chips… deep-frying just takes so much oil!
Preheat your oven to fairly hot – 400 to 425 degrees.
Slice the radishes as thinly evenly as possible. Then lightly coat them with olive oil (or other veggie oil). I’d put them in a bowl and drizzle a little over them then use my hands and massage them around gently to get them all coated.
Spread them evenly on a baking sheet (you can put down some parchment paper if you like, for easier cleanup) – do not crowd or overlap them if at all possible. Sprinkle with seasonings — option 1: salt and cumin; option 2: garlic salt, paprika and chili powder (or salt, paprika, chili powder and finely minced garlic); option 3: just salt.
Bake them 10 minutes, then check to see how they’re doing. Depending on how thinly you sliced them, they may be done, or they may require more time. They should be lightly browned and crispy.
Serve as is for a crunchy snack, or with sour cream or ?? for dipping. Yum! You know… while you’re at it, why not slice up some turnip too, and bake ‘em along with the radish slices, so you have crispy pink-and-white chips?
Conventional medical uses and info about Radishes in general…
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-502-RADISH.aspx?activeIngredientId=502&activeIngredientName=RADISH

And good info for Radishes in general…this one says NOT to peel the Black Spanish Radishes…
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/radish.cfm



7. What Dr. Andrew Weil has to say about Winter Squash!

This one includes a recipe…
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04997/4-Reasons-to-Eat-Winter-Squash.html



8. Potatoes and Onions…can they live together in harmony?

Hanging out at the CSA last week, the topic of storing Potatoes and Onions together, or not, came up…

Here, they’re saying the Onions will cause the Potatoes to rot…
http://food52.com/hotline/3132-someone-told-me-you-shouldn-t-store-potatoes-next-to-onions-is-this-true-why

Here they’re saying the Potatoes will cause the Onions to rot…
http://www.wikihow.com/Store-Onions

Here they talk more about the topic
http://www.thekitchn.com/tip-dont-store-22091

And a LOT more suggestions…
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/478302

But when in doubt…ask Martha!
http://on.aol.com/video/how-to-store-potatoes-and-onions-517636386

So, the answer is…in a recipe Potatoes and Onions can be fast friends, but in a cool, dark place they’re exactly not a match made in heaven. Keep them in separate locations so the gas from the Onions don’t rot the Potatoes, and the moisture from the Potatoes don’t rot the Onions. But I see from Martha’s storage ideas, they don’t have to be as far away as I formerly thought…though I’d like to hear from Harold McGee or Alton Brown on this topic!



9. Event Listings

Thursday, May 2nd to Sunday, December 8th

9am to 4:30pm

Green Thumb Organic Farm
829 Montauk Hwy (east of the windmill)
Water Mill

Our CSA farm’s farm stand is open for the season! If you’re passing by, stop in and say hi and tell them you’re a CSA member and you’re sure to get a smile! There are plants for your garden, flowers for your home and/or friends you might be visiting in the area, and food…lots of food! 


Monday, November 25th

4pm to 6pm

Suffolk County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board Meeting
H Lee Dennison Bldg
Division of Planning and Environment (4th floor conference room)
100 Veterans Hwy
Hauppauge
RSVP to:
Robin 631-283-3195
RHarris@PeconicLandTrust.org

Please attend and share your opinions and concerns as the county works to update the Suffolk County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. Light refreshments will be served. If you can’t make it to this meeting, there are other ones being held (11/12 – Riverhead, 11/13 – Farmingville, 12/12 – Southampton, 12/18 – Southold).

7:45 to 8:45

The Jewish Omnivore’s Dilemma: Eating Jewishly in the 21st Century
Institute for Jewish Studies
Temple Chaverim
1050 Washington Ave
Plainview
$5
To register and for more info:
Carole Wolfner 516-349-7616
Sharon Kunoff 516-694-1896

This lecture is being given by Nigel Savage, the founder of Hazon, a VERY cool organization combining Judaism and sustainable food issues…it’s the largest American Jewish environmental organization.
To learn more about Hazon (and see Dec 29th about their food conference in CT)…
http://www.hazon.org/


Thursday, November 28th

12pm to 3pm

3rd Annual Gratitude & Good Friends Thanksgiving Day Celebration
Dipamkarma Meditation Center
282 New York Ave
Huntington
FREE (bring a vegetarian dish to share)
RSVP (so they know how many people are coming and what you are bringing) to:
gratitudegoodfriends@gmail.com

Everyone is welcome! Meditation starts at noon, and the potluck from 1pm to 3pm. All food will be vegetarian and the general theme for the meal is Thanksgiving (stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc).


Saturday, November 30th

Noon to 1pm

Food Chain Radio
Listen on your computer or mobile device…
http://metrofarm.com/food-chain-radio/

Check out the archives! A lot of interesting food related topics and points of view.


Monday, December 2nd

6:30pm to 9pm

5th Annual Latke Festival
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 W 18th St
NYC
$55 to $110
For advance tickets (none sold at the door):
http://latkefestival2013.eventbrite.com/
And for more info, pix and recipes:
http://www.greatperformances.com/the-dish/save-the-date-5th-annual-latke-festival

Sample Latkes made by some of the best chefs in NYC (and vote for the Latke Master of the year), along with Beer from the Schmaltz Brewing Company…who could ask for more?  Organized by Great Performances and co-sponsored by Edible Manhattan. I’ve gone for two years in a row with fellow CSA member Andrew Rudin and I’ll be there again this year.


Tuesday, December 3rd

7pm to 10pm

2nd Annual Cocktails and Shopping
Thatched Cottage
455 E. Main St
Centerport
$35
To purchase advance tickets (must be purchased in advance):
Email: thegoodneighborfund@yahoo.com
call Maria @ 516-343-9550
To learn more about the Good Neighbor Fund…
http://www.stparaskevi.org/GoodNeighborFund.htm

For those of you who don't know about the Good Neighbor Fund, it’s a philanthropic organization that helps individuals in the community (all of Long Island and Queens) who are having financial difficulties as a result of a car accident or illness. Whether they pay a LIPA or mortgage bill or supply food cards or perhaps pay for a medical device not covered by insurance, on and on the list goes on. So please join us and ask a friend or two..last year we had 200 women and we have a larger venue this year!

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, coffee and dessert, and a chance to win a handbag by Vasiliki Lagis.


Thursday, December 5th

6pm to 10pm

11th Annual Small Planet Fund Gala and Auction
NYC
$75 and $250
For more info and to get tickets?
http://smallplanetfund.org/events/

Attending will be Frances Moore Lappe (co-founder of the Small Planet Fund) and LI’s own Scott Chaskey from Quail Hill Farm. Drink and dine on local organic food and wine from The Cleaver Co., rub elbows with environmental movers and shakers, and bid on silent and live auction items from exclusive vacations to dinners at some of New York City's finest restaurants. For more than ten years, the Small Planet Fund's bash has brought together leaders in the sustainability movement for a festive night. Please join us for another rousing evening and raise a toast to the Rainforest Action Network.


Friday, December 6th

6pm to 7pm

The Healthy Planet Radio Show
WUSB-FM (90.1 FM)
To listen live or on the archives…
http://wusb.fm/station/schedule/week
For more info:
http://www.healthy-planet.org/


Thursday, December 12th to Saturday, December 14th

Ecological Farming for the Real World
2013 Acres Conference & Trade Show
Prairie Capital Convention Center
Springfield, IL
For more info (I’d ask to get the brochure mailed to me for more info):
http://www.acresusa.com/events/2013conference/
and to register:
http://www.acresusa.com/events/

If you’re serious about learning about farming, this might be right up your alley (though the winter NOFA-NY Conference in January might be a good place to start if you’ve never been to one).


Sunday, December 29th to Wednesday, January 1st, 2014

Hazon Food Conference: Recipes for The New Jewish Food Movement
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
$510/$460/$410/Children aged 4 to 16 $200 (if you register before December 8th…all inclusive cost includes room and board, kosher farm to table meals)/Children under 4 FREE
For more info and to register:
http://www.hazon.org/programs/food-conference/

Guest presenters celebrated cookbook author Joan Nathan, food writer Leah Koenig and Itta Werdiger-Roth (founder of underground supperclub in Brooklyn, The Hester)


Thursday, January 16th and Friday, January 17th, 2014

33rd Annual LI Agricultural Forum
Suffolk Community College
Riverhead
$30 (after Jan 10th it will go up to $45)
For more info and to register:
Linda Holm 631-727-7850 xt 341
At the moment, the website has no info about this event…
http://www.ccesuffolk.org/

Details TBA. I think Thursday is the day that has the “Sustainable Farming” section but both days have lectures of interest to the organic farmer/gardener and it’s only $30 for both days!


Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th, 2014

NOFA-NY’s 32nd Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Winter Conference: Preserving the Past, Seeding the Future
Saratoga Hilton and City Center
Saratoga Springs, NY
For more info and to register:
http://www.nofany.org/events/winter-conference
1-585-271-1979 xt 509 M-F 9:30 to 4:30

Keynote speaker: Gary Paul Nabhan, author of Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Land (with forward by Bill McKibben). Registration is now open and if you register by December 13th you’ll get a $10 discount.

Join us at one of the largest sustainable agriculture conferences in the East! Each year, we strive to inspire, as well as inform, and to provide an unparalleled opportunity for networking and for reciprocal teaching and learning. Whether you're a beginning or experienced farmer, organic gardener, dedicated homesteader, or food advocate, there's something for you.

There are more than 80 workshops, a special children’s conference, entertainment, and the most delicious meals made from food donated by our farmers.


February 5th to February 8th

PASA’s 23rd Annual Farming for the Future Conference: Letting Nature Lead
State College, PA
For more info and to register:
http://www.pasafarming.org/events/conference

Keynote speakers this year are Daphne Miller, MD (author of Farmacology) and Miguel Altieri, PhD (Professor of Agroecology, UC Berkeley). Sign up for their emails or like their Facebook page to keep up to date on when registration begins.


Saturday, March 1st, 2014

10am to 5pm

TEDx Manhattan Viewing Party
Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave
Huntington
FREE

Check out a sample of last year’s speakers such as chef Michel Nischan, LaDonna Redmond, Anna Lappe, White House chef Bill Yosses, Annemarie Colbin, etc, here…
http://www.youtube.com/tedxman

Check out the list of speakers scheduled for this year (includes a performance by Huntington’s own Jen Chapin…Harry’s kid  )…
http://www.tedxmanhattan.org/speakers/

Details TBA


March 9th, 2014

Jubilee: Women and Food Conference
NYC

Details TBA


May 3rd and May 4th , 2014

NAVEL Expo

Details TBA!



10. Click here…

http://bestof.longislandpress.com/voting/

Vote from now to December 15th for the Best of Long Island awards from the Long Island Press.

And apparently, you can vote once a day, every day till December 15th!

The Cinema Arts Centre is nominated for Best Movie Theater and best Mom & Pop business (to be, as they say, transparent about this one…I do live with its co-director, Dylan Skolnick  ).

And so is The Purple Elephant (if you haven’t been there yet…try it, I bet you’ll like it) and Shinn Estate Vineyards (the most organic/biodynamic vineyard on LI…though not certified organic or biodynamic).

Are YOU nominated? If so, let us know so we can vote for you! 



11. What you actually got last week

Week #30
November 21, 2013

1. Sweet Potatoes* - 2 lbs - $4.50
2. Lettuce: Boston, Green OR Oakleaf, Green – 1 head - $2.75
3. Kale: Lacinato – 1 bunch - $3.25
4. Scallions – 1 bunch - $2.75
5. Radishes, Winter: Black Spanish, China Red, Misato (Watermelon)** - 2 lb - $4.25

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $17.50 (we pay $17.50 for our weekly CSA share and this week we’ve gotten an extra $1.00 so the total extra value we’ve gotten so far this season…is $35.00)

*
Sweet Potato Recipes…

Ciabatta Stuffing with Chorizo, Sweet Potatoes and Shiitake Mushrooms…
http://food52.com/recipes/1516-ciabatta-stuffing-with-chorizo-sweet-potato-and-mushrooms

Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili…
http://food52.com/recipes/20498-smoky-black-bean-and-sweet-potato-chili

Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges…
http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000000701068,00.html

Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Corn Flake Topping…
http://www.attunefoods.com/blog/2012/11/sweet-potato-casserole-with-crispy-corn-flake-topping/?utm_source=family-fresh-cooking&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=brandam&utm_content=sweet-potato-casserole-with-crispy-corn-flakes-topping

Sweet Potato Gratin…
http://food52.com/recipes/738-individual-sweet-potato-gratins-with-creme-fraiche-onions-and-bacon

Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Eggs
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/10/26/chile-sweet-potato-hash-with-fried-eggs-recipe/

Sweet Potato and Roasted Beet Salad…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2013/02/15/rustic-roasted-beet-sweet-potato-salad-recipe/

Sweet Potato Souffle with Feta and Sage…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/10/24/sweet-potato-souffle-with-feta-and-sage-recipe/

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes…
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/twice-baked-sweet-potatoes-recipe/index.html

Vegan Sweet Potato Anytime Cookies…
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/12/28/sweet-potato-anytime-cookies-recipe/


**
Relish the Radish…
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/whole-story/relish-radish
Rooting for Radishes (original article used for the one above but has things the other one doesn’t)…
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/whole-story/rooting-radishes

Roasted Watermelon Radishes with warm Shallot Vinaigrette
Source: Whole Foods Market
1 lb. Watermelon Radish
2 tbsp. Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Dressing:
1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp Olive Oil
4 large Shallots, thinly sliced
Salt & Pepper
1/3 cup White Wine Vinegar
1/2 tsp Sugar
Preheat oven to 375F. Cut radishes into wedges. Mix with 2 tbsp. oil and put in a 2-qt. baking dish. Roast radishes, stirring occasionally, until fork tender, about 1 hour.
For dressing: Heat 2 tbsp. of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring often, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, the remaining 1/3 cup of oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook, sirring, until heated through, 1 minute.
Combine and serve!


12. And now, for something completely different…

CSA member Chiara Mathews turned me on to this video about farming (from a British perspective  with a number of rude words, some of which start with the letter “f”)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5RrGFBbbSY

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