Farm Happenings at Schultz Valley Farms
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Memorial Day Weekend Edition!

Posted on May 26th, 2023 by Lynne Schultz

Hello everyone,

We hope this email finds you well and that you're enjoying a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. Before we dive into the details, we kindly request a moment of your time to remind you to place your CSA bag on hold if you'll be away for the holiday. We want to ensure your CSA goodies are delivered at the right time for you. Thank you for your cooperation!

We have some important updates to share with you this week. First, we're extending the cart opening hours until 9:30 PM on Monday. This will allow us to add more items in the morning and afternoon. So if you haven't had a chance to complete your order yet, there's still time to do so. We appreciate your patience as we fine-tune our systems for a smoother experience.

Additionally, we kindly ask that you double-check your bags and meat selections when picking up your order. We've noticed a few instances where bags were accidentally picked up by the wrong person. We understand that we're still early in the season, and everyone is learning the ropes. Don't worry if this happens—it's easily fixed. Just let us know, and we'll make sure you receive the correct items. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

On the farm, Josh has been hard at work baling hay. We're proud to share that he's already completed half of the first cutting. The summer season is here, and we're thrilled that our kids are home for the break. Starting this week, we'll have our high school workers back, allowing us to tackle various projects and catch up on planting. Exciting times lie ahead!

Now, let's talk about the star of the week: spinach! Spinach is a vibrant leafy green vegetable that belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. Known for its distinct flavor and tender leaves, spinach is packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Its versatility makes it a delightful addition to salads, side dishes, soups, stews, stir-fries, and smoothies. There are countless ways to enjoy this nutritious powerhouse.

To get your culinary creativity flowing, here are some spinach recipe ideas:

  1. Spinach Salad: Create a refreshing salad by combining fresh spinach leaves with your favorite vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressing. Add protein like grilled chicken or tofu for a complete meal.

  2. Spinach Smoothie: Blend spinach with fruits like bananas, berries, and a liquid of your choice (such as almond milk or yogurt) to make a vibrant and nutritious green smoothie.

  3. Sautéed Spinach: Heat a bit of olive oil or butter in a pan, add minced garlic, and sauté the spinach until it wilts. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice for an extra kick.

  4. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast: Create a delicious and healthy stuffed chicken breast by filling it with a mixture of cooked spinach, cheese, and herbs. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the filling is melted and bubbly.

  5. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Mushrooms: Combine sautéed spinach with feta cheese, garlic, and herbs. Stuff the mixture into mushroom caps and bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden.

  6. Spinach and Feta Quiche: Mix spinach, feta cheese, eggs, and cream in a pie crust to make a flavorful and satisfying quiche. Bake until the quiche is set and lightly browned.

  7. Spinach and Mushroom Pasta: Sauté sliced mushrooms and spinach in olive oil with garlic and herbs. Toss the mixture with cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil for a simple yet flavorful pasta dish.

  8. Spinach Pesto: Replace basil with spinach in a classic pesto recipe. Blend spinach, garlic, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Use it as a sauce for pasta, pizza, or as a spread for sandwiches.

  9. Spinach and Chickpea Curry: Cook spinach with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and chickpeas to make a flavorful and nutritious curry. Serve it over steamed rice or with naan bread.

  10. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: Fill portobello mushroom caps with a mixture of sautéed spinach, shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden and melted.

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to get creative and experiment with spinach in various dishes to savor its nutritious benefits and versatile flavor.

Now, let's talk about another culinary delight: sirloin steak! Sirloin steak is a popular and delicious cut of beef that comes from the sirloin region of the animal. Known for its tenderness, flavor, and moderate marbling, sirloin steak offers a fantastic balance. There are different types, including top sirloin, bottom sirloin, and center-cut sirloin. Each has its unique qualities, with top sirloin being the most tender and flavorful.

You can prepare sirloin steak in various ways, such as grilling, broiling, pan-searing, or roasting. Season it simply with salt and pepper or marinate it to enhance the flavors. Sirloin steak is a fantastic standalone dish, but it also shines when sliced and used in stir-fries, fajitas, salads, sandwiches, and more. Its juicy and beefy goodness is sure to please steak lovers.

We hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend celebrating Memorial Day. As always, we're immensely grateful for your continued support and trust. Your participation strengthens our local food community and fuels our passion for sustainable agriculture. Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!

Warm regards,

The Schultz Family