Welcome to week 6 of the 2022 Flat Tack Farm CSA program!
What's Happening?!
Last week we got our tomatoes and the hot peppers planted. This week we will finish getting the rest of the peppers in the ground as well as tomatillos, winter squash (yes, it's already that time!!! whew!) more herbs, and green beans. The peas are sizing up nicely!!! After last week slow growth period- we finally have a nice harvest of peas to add in for this week. It will be a mix of Snap and Snow peas this week, you may get snap peas or purple snow peas!
We’ve started the farmers market again and have teamed up with Sprout and Blossom Farm to share a booth on Saturday’s. You can find us in space number 55 (same as last year) Ester Short park side of the street. Look forward to seeing you all there!
This week is also the monthly Beef share pick up from Windy River Livestock! If you signed up for a beef share- don't forget to grab your meat from the cooler at the pick up site. We also have lots of delicious ground beef that you can add onto your share during the customization period.
Product Highlights
We're harvesting the rest of the Bok Choi this week and have really been enjoying this delicious vegetable. It has been cultivated in China for over 5,000 years! It has a super high Vitamin A and C content and has a nickname of "soup spoon" due to its leaf shape. Our go to is a quick and easy stir fry. But we've also used them for kim chi and other ferments, or in soup.
Farm Recipe Idea of the week
Quick 10 minute Garlic Scape and Bok Choi Stir Fry:
-Garlic scapes 2-3 stalks cut into 1" pieces
-1 Large or 3-4 baby Bok Choi
-2 Tbsp Sesame or Coconut Oil
-4-5 Cloves of fresh garlic, chopped
-1-2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
-Chili, salt and pepper to taste
Quarter the bok choi and wash well
Heat oil in a wok/large skillet. Add garlic scapes and stir fry for ~2-3 minutes. Add in quartered bok choi, soy sauce, garlic, and chili pepper and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes or until the bok choi is semi-tender. It should still have a nice crunch at the base of the leaves. Serve on top of rice or noodles.
For more recipe ideas with Bok Choi check out this post: https://www.thespruceeats.com/top-bok-choy-recipes-p2-695369
Local Spotlight:
Our friend Elle partners with a small fisherman couple from Alaska and they have fish shares available for pick up in SE Portland for June (deadline to order is June 12th) and in September. Here are the details from Elle:
"Hello friends & neighbors!
I'm inviting you to join my Fish Club with fisherman-owned Schoolhouse Fish Co. This micro biz is run by a husband + wife team in rural Alaska who ship the fish they catch direct to people like us around the country.
You can learn more about Schoolhouse Fish and place your wild seafood orders with our Fish Club at https://schoolhousefish.com/pdx . Because we're packing later in the month, Elle's club is open for June orders until June 12th, though earlier is always better for planning purposes. You can order at www.SchoolhouseFish.com/pdx
About Schoolhouse Fish Eric & Malena are obsessed with bringing the highest quality wild seafood to market possible and together have decades of experience in commercial fishing and local environmental advocacy. This is their 8th year of selling the wild salmon and halibut they catch by hand aboard their boat. They’ve also expanded to offer a few selections caught by other fishermen in their community.
How do Schoolhouse Fish Clubs work? After you place your orders, Eric and Malena will bag them individually and box them for shipping to our airport. I'll do the pick up and let you know how to grab your shares from me when they arrive. (You can review their season's calendar to make sure you'll be in town for scheduled shipments.) The fish come in approximately 1 lb vacuum sealed packs, flash frozen for freshness.
Selection
This year Schoolhouse is offering wild coho and king salmon, halibut, sablefish, ling cod, smoked salmon, and seasonal "fish mixes" that include extras like halibut cheeks and rockfish. Eric can tell you where he catches each fish so you know EXACTLY where your fish comes from.
Timing
They ship out monthly from May-November. Elle will be delivering fish June 24th and mid-September (Date TBD, but she will be in contact with you via email)
Questions? If you have any questions about my local Fish Club, contact me directly (eappleton727@gmail.com). If you have questions about the fish or about Schoolhouse Fish Co. you can check their FAQs or feel free to call or text Malena at (907) 957-1007. Eric and Malena love sharing stories and info.
Captain Elle is picking up your orders this month on Friday, June 24th. By shopping direct from our fishing family, you help us make a better living off fewer fish and also directly support the community your fish come from! Thanks so much, Elle, Malena & Eric & Pilot the pup "
We hope you enjoy this week's offerings and thank you for supporting locally grown and making our community strong and healthy!
Your farmers,
Kelly & Patrick
