So much time and so little to do.

Strike that. Reverse it.

Hi blog. I have been super busy (and just a little lazy) and I'm sorry to have neglected you.  Fortunately for us all, one thing I've been busy with is my CSA.  If you're unfamiliar with Community Supported Agriculture, it's basically supporting a local farm and getting fresh produce from the farm (in my case) every other week.  Our CSA, Harmony Valley Farm, also offers a cheese CSA, a fruit CSA and a coffee CSA.  We participate in the cheese share, and receive three local cheeses every other pickup.  Yeah.  It's really awesome.

We've received three boxes so far this season.  Our CSA runs May through December. We get our vegetables every other week.  Let's play cach-up. 

Here's what we got in our first box:

Ramps, Chives, Spinach

Sunchokes, Sorrel, Nettles

Black Radishes, Parsnips, Watercress

Butler Farm's Sheep Milk Brebis Cheese w garlic, Castle Rock Organic Farm's Sharp Cheddar, Cedar Grove Cheese's Organic Mozzarella

One of the many great things about this farm is that they include information about everything in the box, and recipes to try!  Thank goodness, because, really, what the hell do I do with nettles?  Aren't you supposed to not touch them because they hurt?  Why would I put them in my own mouth, no less serve them to my family?  Right?  Well.....

Apparently, if you swish them around in water,

cook them up with butter, ramps, sorrel, broth and cream,

and whirl them in a blender,

they become delicious soup that doesn't hurt at all when you eat it!

Who knew, right?  

Stay tuned to see the sunchoke and parsnip deliciousness I made from this box, as well as what I've done with the next two boxes.  Also coming up, more cocktails!

Here are some closeups of May 12th's CSA:

Ramps

Chives

Spinach

Sunchokes - loved these!!

Sorrel - yummy!

Nettles

Black Radishes - zippy!

Parsnips

Watercress (if you get some, make this)