Week 6! The rainy weekend was very helpful for the garden. We were able to skip hours of watering and instead get ahead of the weeds.
I decided it is worthwhile going a little more in depth regarding basil. This herb tends to be a favorite and we grow a few different varieties.
Many of the health benefits of basil come from two flavonoids called orientin and vicenin. These help to protect cell structures and chromosomes. Simply put.... eat basil and possibly decrease risk of disease. Basil provides a good source of vitamin A which helps to prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream, therefore preventing build up.
Basil helps to block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, the same enzyme that Advil and Asprin blocks. So basil can help to relieve inflammation pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Basil is also a good source of magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and vitamin C.
Health benefits aside, basil tastes good! The regular green, sweet italian basil will add a spicy flavor and wake up a dish. Add to salads, casseroles, soups, stews, spreads, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches.
Here are directions for one of my favorite basil recipes.
Tomato, Bocconcini & Basil Skewers
Ingredients
1 pt Cherry Tomatoes
1 package Mini Boccochini or fresh mozzarella cut into small cubes
whole basil leaves
wood skewers
Thread one tomato, one mini bocconcini and one basil leaf on each skewer.
Arrange the skewers in a flower vase.
Serve with a balsamic reduction. (simmer balsamic until it is thick enough to coat a spoon.
Thai basil has an entirely different flavor and more specific uses. Thai basil has a mild anise flavor, holds up better during cooking and is long and slender, compared to its Mediterranean cousin. Thai basil is often used in Asian cooking, as an accompaniment to soups, added to stir fry and curries.
Lemon basil is great on fish or chicken. Strong citrus type flavor, can also be added to cold drinks.
The basil is growing quite well now in the garden. The only type in short supply is lemon basil and purple basil. (purple basil is just like the regular green basil) You should receive basil quite frequently now and usually we will just provide a few leaves each week. If you have any desire to make a pesto or jelly, let me know, I will try to send enough your way for a batch.
At this point, we are starting to wonder what you think of the CSA. Do you feel you are getting too much of something? Not enough of something? If there is something you dislike, we can omit it and if there is something you love and we have extra of, we will try to accommodate too. Also, if you think of it, please try to return the boxes, egg cartons and quart boxes so that they can be reused. I was also surprised at how many plastic bags are required for all of the herbs. If you have any tupperware containers you want to send, I will be sure to fill and return. (please put your name on them.)
Enjoy!
author note.... we were able to accomodate specific requests this year, but in future years if there are more members, this may not be possible.
Spray free Produce and CSA
A Growing Concern Farm is a small hobby farm located inland from Chester, NS, focusing mainly on fresh produce and farm raised eggs from happy chickens with names.
CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture allows a member to purchase a membership which will result in a box of fresh produce each week, all growing season long. The risk is shared, meaning that if something didn't grow well, that will be reflected in the weekly share. Likewise, when something does well, members will reap the benefits.
Members can expect to receive a box or basket of produce beginning around June 8th and ending near the end of September. June and the last half of September will likely be a smaller share than the bulk of the summer.
This year, the membership will include eggs as they become available. A member could expect to receive about a dozen eggs every second week. This is not a guarantee as we can't make chickens lay eggs! The chickens are fed a diet of grains and greens. They are grown without the use of hormones or antibiotics. They do not free range on our property because of hawks and other predators but they do have a large, outdoor enclosure that is covered with bird netting. The chickens are able to go inside and outside when they please.
The fresh produce at A Growing Concern Farm is grown without herbicides or pesticides and is picked at its peak of ripeness and ideal size. (no baseball bat zuchini!!!) There is a wide variety of produce being planted which will hopefully produce tomatoes, tomatillo, beets, swiss chard, spinach, bush beans, zuchini, parsnip, radish, lettuce, leeks, peas, cilantro, parsley, chives, turnip, kale, shallots, onions, garlic, summer savory, dill, new potatoes, pole beans, jerusalem artichokes, carrots, melons, squash, koli rabi, celeriac, cucumbers, oregano, thyme, mint, basil, eggplant, sage, rosemary, chamomile, caraway, okra, soybeans, sunflowers, bee balm, cut flowers and more. There is a wide variety of each type in many cases, so expect a wide variety of color! Items chosen for the weekly basket will depend on what is ripe and available at that time. Remember, availability of items and quantities is all up to mother nature.
Produce will be spray free but should be washed before eating. Expect a little bit of dirt on root vegetables and a few small holes in leafy vegetables. Expect too, superior taste and freshness. Eggs are wiped down but not sanitized. You will notice that these eggs are more flavorful, have a brighter yoke and a greater density when cracked into a pan.
This year, 2010, is a trial year with only 4 members and a small amount of restaurant supply. Hopefully it will continue in 2011 with a larger number of members and a larger area of cultivated land. We will accept new members on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to notify us in writing as soon as possible if you are interested. Planning for next year's crop actually will begin in the fall!
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