Howdy folks and welcome to week 19 of your Tumbleweed Farm CSA! We hope you all are enjoying this beautiful early fall weather and are up for another box of veggies. This week it’s a full on marriage of summer crops coming together with the fall bounty. The winter squash variety this week is one of our favorites. It’s the North Georgia Candy Roaster. Don’t let the size or shape scare you! This squash is actually not that hard to cut into and has the most flavorful flesh. It’s sweet, nutty and perfect for pies, soups, sauces or simply cubing it up and roasting. You can use half of it and store the other half for a few weeks in your garage. You may have to slice a little of the exposed flesh off if it gets a bit soft but the untouched part of the squash should be just fine if you only use part of it this week.
We are also excited for the debut of our lunch box peppers this week! These are our FAVORITE peppers on the farm. They are so darn sweet and the perfect thing to snack on. Whip up some hummus and dip away!
We hope you all enjoy the harvest this week!
Your farmers,
Andrea, Taylor Pepper, Maize and our amazing crew!
Harvest 19
Collard Greens—High in vitamin K they are also a good source of cancer fighting compounds and are rich in glucosinolates which is a sulfur-containing compound which is thought to help stop cancer process at different stages of development. Pretty rad!
Spinach— Spinach— rich in iron, potassium, vitamins C & E, and magnesium. Spinach can also aid in digestion and has anticancer properties. Eat this veggie up!!
Lunch Box Peppers— Besides Vitamin C, shishito peppers have a high amount of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E. These contribute to improving the immune system as well as the body's nervous system. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E also prevent the cells and tissues from getting damaged. This keeps immunity levels up at all times.
Parsley—This herb is an all-purpose pathogen-fighter; it keeps bacteria, parasites, and fungus at bay. It helps alkalize all systems in the body and includes important vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B, A, C, and K. It’s also a highly remineralizing food, especially for those low in trace minerals; parsley provides magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, iodine, and calcium.
Broccoli— Broccoli contains many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Broccoli’s benefits include helping reduce inflammation, keeping blood sugar stable, and strengthening the immune system.
Cauliflower— it’s a good source of protective antioxidants, is rich in sulforaphane, high in choline and may support hormonal balance.
Potatoes—Potato skins and flesh are both very beneficial to human health. Fun fact—potato plants draw some of the highest concentration of macro and trace minerals from the earth. This was news to me!! They are high in potassium and rich in vitamin B6, as well as a fantastic source of amino acids, especially lysine in its bioactive form. Lysine is a powerful weapon against viruses such as Epstein-Barr and shingles that are behind rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, autoimmune disease, and more. Potatoes also contain tyrosine, a chemical needed to produce thyroid hormones. So cool! Eat more potatoes folks!
Winter Squash (North Georgia Candy Roaster)—Winter Squash is a highly nutritious and alkaline food which is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. It’s easy to digest and contains high amounts of Vitamins A, E, C, B-complex, and beta carotene, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium which are vital for a healthy and strong immune and nervous system.
Red Onions—Onions are high in probiotics and fiber which is great for gut health. They are also high in vitamin C, which may help regulate your immune health, collagen production, and iron absorption. Onions are rich in B vitamins, including folate and vitamin B6.
Full Size Tomatoes—Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Recipe Suggetions
Winter Squash & Potato Casserole (this was so delightfully delicious and a good thing to whip up now and again for Thanksgiving!)
Warm Collard Greens Salad with Coconut & Burst Tomatoes (This combination may sound weird but you gotta try it! It’s so simple and absolutely divine. Trust us on this one!)
White Bean Cauliflower Soup with Bacon Gremolata (this is SO easy and good!)
Harissa Roasted Chicken & Cauliflower with Chickpeas (hands down one of the best meals ever!)
Pumpkin Chili (so good and easy!)
Pumpkin Pot Pie With Sausage And Kale (this recipe also made one of my cookbooks because it’s been such a hit for many years)
Winter Squash Miso Soup (best soup to make with an abundance of winter squash!)
Below are recipes from my children’s website that we absolutely love to serve the whole family!
High Protein Spinach Banana Pancakes (my kid’s favorite breakfast!)
Savory Spinach & Goat Cheese Blondies (this is so tasty and good, great for breakfast or dinner!)
Spinach Pesto Pasta (this is the best way to get your kids to eat spinach!)
Flourless Double Chocolate Spinach Brownies (if you haven’t made these yet you’re in for a treat!)
Cheesy Cauliflower Fritters (toddler approved!)
spinach & feta meatballs (some of our favorites!)