Week 6 CSA Pick Up

Mid-August brings excitement for some new crops, and the realization that Fall will soon be here. We’ve had a busy week at Snowfields, as we held our first public event, “A Race for the Future,” which raised funds for Physiology First, an organization dedicated to supporting youth mental health. Check out the highlights on Facebook and Instagram, and also at physiologyfirst.org.

Snowfields has also been reaching out to others in the community and donating leftover vegetables surplus product to Midcoast Hunger Prevention and to the Highlands in Topsham. I’ll be visiting the Highlands this week to talk about the farm and how we choose to grow our vegetables in an organic, no-till method. It’s great to share our work with others and to be so well supported by our neighbors. Thank you!!

This week will bring more beans, spicy mix, cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash. We’ll also have onions, Hakurei turnips and basil. I know many are wondering about the tomatoes, and they are just starting to ripen -  I’m thinking next week there will finally be enough to share. I promise, once they pop, there will be plenty for all!

Pick-up days this week are Monday, 8/17 and Wednesday, 8/19 from 4-6:30pm.

See you soon!

Emma

Cucumber Agua Fresca

There are plenty of warm days still ahead of us and this refreshing drink is a great way to cool off and put all those cucumbers to good use. The directions below are really just for the base recipe, but there's plenty of room to experiment by adding other fruits, mint, basil or even ginger.

It also makes a great cocktail base! Given its Mexican origins Tequila would be a natural choice, but it will probably work well with most clear spirits or even just a dash of orange bitters.

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups coarsely chopped seeded peeled cucumbers (about 4 medium)
4 cups cold water
2 cups ice cubes
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 large pinches of salt
Additional ice cubes

Preparation

(Note, this recipe makes two batches since we couldn't fit it all in our blender at once. But if you have a big enough blender you can make it all at once)

• Combine 2 1/4 cups chopped cucumbers, 2 cups water, 1 cup ice cubes, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup lime juice, and 1 pinch of salt in blender.

• Blend until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth but slushy, about 2 minutes.

• Transfer mixture to pitcher. Repeat with remaining chopped cucumbers, 2 cups water, 1 cup ice cubes, sugar, lime juice, and salt.

• Place additional ice cubes in 8 glasses. Fill with cucumber drink.