Got my first CSA share this week.

[wildeyed]

CSA is community supported agriculture. You pay a set fee and get a share in the farm for a season's worth of organic produce.

For the first week, I go lots of red leaf lettuce, kale and swiss chard. So far I made green salad with the lettuce (duh). With the kale, I made kale/ham pizza. I sauteed the kale with garlic and red pepper, then put it on top of the pizza. It was really yummy. Haven't decided what to do with the chard yet. Will probably make a side to some pork chops I am defrosting.

Anyone else get their CSA's yet? What about seasonal produce in general? What are your favorites and what are you recipes?

[murphymom]

1. Bought a share for the first time

Ours starts next week. This particular farm sells at the farmers market and has a few drop-off points around town where the shares are delivered, one of which is a block from me, which can't get more convenient!

I'm looking forward to trying different things that I wouldn't necessarily have purchased if I were just buying fruits and vegetables at the grocery.

Only problem I've got right now is we're in the middle of a kitchen remodel and the whole thing is torn out, so everything I fix I either have to microwave, cook on a portable propane grill or eat raw.

I want my kitchen back!!!!!

[wildeyed]

2. I am looking forward to the variety, as well.

I get into a rut and buy the same four or five vegetables all the time. Already I have chard, which I doubt I would have picked on my own.

Good luck with no kitchen. I guess you can grill or steam in the microwave.

[murphymom]

3. Picked up our first share this afternoon

We got:
1/2 lb. salad mix
1 head romaine
1 bunch carrots
2 lb. new potatoes
1 bunch rainbow chard
1 bunch green onions
1 bunch Italian parsley
2 cucumbers
1 pint strawberries

Salad city tonight! Can't believe how beautifully fresh everything is!

[grasswire]

4. we decided not to do it this year

...after several years of it. We decided that unless we were going to make vegetable soup each week, there wasn't enough of any one thing to use it in menus and realize $30 value. Three radishes, two bunches of greens, four carrots, a kohlrabi, two beets....it just didn't work for family meals.

[wildeyed]

5. Maybe try another farm?

Our shares have not been huge so far. Cold spring, farmer in grad school finishing his finals, etc. But we get a good amount of each individual item. Also, only $16 for a share.

[cmf]

6. Ours doesn't start for another few weeks

How fun! I hope you enjoy your produce!

The season starts kind of late here in Washington. We signed up with Pike Place market this year. They deliver to my office, so I can just cart it home. Last year we did a farm "near" to where we live, but it would take at least an hour to pick up the share in the traffic after work, so the Pike Place one is much more convenient time and gasoline wise. I can't wait!

[NMDemDist2]

7. oooo Pike Place market! I get them to send me tea 4-5 times a year

the original "Market Spice" and still the best.....