Share #5 July 7th & 9th

Crop List: Cosmic Mix, Arugula, Collards, Basil, Radish, Garlic Curls, Bok Choy, Lettuce, maybe Radish and/or Sugar Snap Peas

The crop list is shifting to early summer. For me, the shift is noticeable by the addition of crunchy things, we are moving beyond just leafy greens. Radish, Bok Choy, Garlic Curls and of course...Sugar Snap Peas!!
The end of this week is looking like a hot one. As long as we can keep everything watered, the plants will be loving it! Warm nights, long days and irrigation are the magic trio for rapid growth. The sugar snaps are on the "maybe list" because we are tentative to promise them before we actually pick them. Writing a farm newsletter can be tricky, because it's really hard to look at a row of peas and guess how many pounds are out there! Once they start coming in, everyone will get them!
The sugar snap peas are going to come on fast. The plants are loaded, and still have so many beautiful flowers waiting to turn into more peas. Our crew will spend a lot of time diligently picking the peas in the next few weeks.
Pea picking sounds like an easy job...but if you've never done it, it's not for the faint of heart.
While it is fun to be in the field with a group of people chattering away, solving the world's problems, telling jokes or recounting last night's events, it is a "minds on job". Paying attention is imperative. Peas like to hide, they are the exact same shade of green as the plant. Every pea one sees involves a decision. Is it under ripe? Over-ripe? Or perfect? Perfect peas go in the bucket. Filling a bucket with peas is one of the most satisfying jobs on the farm. When you start with an empty bucket each pea added makes a pleasant "thonk" sound! If a pea is under ripe, it gets left on the vine. The most challenging thing to learn is the difference between a pea that needs a tiny bit more time to ripen because it is kind of ripe..., and one that will be over-ripe before the next picking. A fine line to walk!
Everyone gets bummed when picking, a row and it's is laden with over-ripe peas. It's a waste of time, and so sad to see the missed peas. Picking peas involves paying attention and moving efficiently so the row gets picked properly!
We know we'll never be able to pick enough peas to satisfy the CSA. The labor involved is just too much. And the peas come in at a time that is our "weed it or loose it" time of the year! We need to get the peas picked and get back to slaying the weeds to save the future crops!
You'll notice our peas are sooooo much sweeter then anything you can buy in the store. Because we pick by hand, the whole plant is not just stripped by a machine and every pea added to a conveyor belt. Like I said earlier, we are looking for perfectly ripe peas! You'll definitely taste the difference! And, ummm, if you have kids, make sure you put a secret stash of peas somewhere, or your kids will eat them all before you make it home from your veggie pick up!

Cosmic Apple History note...
Jed had a dog named Harpooha. That dog LOVED sugar snap peas. He was happy if you tossed him one when harvesting.  We gave him the ones that a bug nibbled on.  Sometimes he'd get a pea before dinner while his human was cooking. He eventually got sick of waiting and figured out how to pick his own. He would find the ripe ones and eat them right off the vine! We'd find him lingering in the pea patch when we moved irrigation pipe. Moral of the story...don't let your dog learn how to graze in the garden!

Recipe Ideas: Thai Bok Choy with Garlic Curl; Spicy Collards; Blistered Radishes with Parsley; ​Honey Basil Dressing

Recipes

30th Anniversary Party Details

We have lots of extra goodies available at your pick up. Dinner just got easier!
The coolers at your site are stocked with a selection of Lifeline Cheese, Cosmic Apple Eggs, Pork and Beef (availability listed below).  If you want something specific, please email me and I will make sure it is in the cooler, reserved just for you. I don't send every cut every week, they simply won't all fit, but I love putting together special orders!

​Pork Available: Grandpa’s Sausage, Breakfast Sausage, Bacon, Boneless Chops, Shoulder Roast, Spare Ribs, Boneless Pork Loin, Neck Bones, Back Fat, Leaf Fat, Hock, Liver, Heart and Kidney

Beef Available: Tenderloin, New York Steak, Rib Eye Steak, Sirloin Steak, Eye of the Round Steak, Skirt Steak, Tri-tip, Patties, Stew Meat, Heart, Ground Beef, Short Ribs, Brisket, Round Roast, Sirloin Tip Roast, Liver, Kidney, Marrow Bones, Knuckle Bones, Fat and Tongue


WASH YOUR VEGGIES!!
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Bring Bags to pick-ups!

If you can't make it to pick up your veggies, send a friend!
Missed shares are forfeited for the week. 
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Members get 10% off at the Farmer's Markets!
The People's Market: Wednesdays, 4-7 Center for the Arts
The Driggs Market: Fridays 9-1, Driggs City Center
Jackson Hole Farmer's Market: Saturdays 8-12, Jackson Town Square

Questions? Comments? Recipes to share? [email protected]