CSA Forum, weeks 4 & 5: Growing pains

Image by Flickr user justinhenry

As I have been liberal with my praises, there are no doubt struggles that come along with CSA-ing. Loving vegetables is only the tip of the Iceberg lettuce when preparing to undertake this commitment, but the benefits can only be reaped from trying.

Week 5

Week 5: collards, 4 radishes, eggplant, watermelon, green pepper, bag o cherry tomatoes, 3 ears of corn, 2 banana peppers, zucchini, 2 yellow-ish squash, 2 cucumbers

Week 6

Week 6: 5 decorative pumpkins, acorn squash, 2 ears of corn, 2 banana peppers, green pepper, bag o cherry tomotoes, eggplant, 2 sweet potatoes, head o lettuce

First of all, being open-minded to new foods, but more so, open to cooking them is necessary. If you like to cook, CSAs allow you to try vegetables you would not normally, which can be a really great experience. I have found myself cooking and liking vegetables that had not previously been in my diet and eating healthier overall, a definitive plus to my experience.

What I have learned that I have not learned is how to preserve. This is another skill set that comes in handy when being given a guaranteed weekly plethora of produce with no bearing on how much you have left from last week. I have begun to utilize the freezing method of preservation because it does not take much effort, but canning and jarring are a bit of an anomaly to me. Knowing how to pickle cucumbers or banana peppers could have saved the few casualties I have had along the way. Not to mention given me a tasty snack come January, reminiscent of a milder season. Dutifully noted for next time.

The repetition of some vegetables can be overkill after a few weeks. I won’t lie. I have enjoyed finding new ways to cook the same veggies, but after a while I just want something else or more of another. Despite this, I am still excited to pick up my box every Tuesday because learning and utilizing nature’s cycle of food giving is a wonderful thing. Be patient and allow the seasons change. Those eggplants will pass eventually.

What is the whole CSA thing you speak of? Read up on it here. Or check in with articles and recipes from previous weeks at our CSA Forum page.

Post any recipes/ideas of your own in our comments section!

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