Summer CSA Week 8 | Bee happy

Week 8: August 7 - August 10

It has been a busy August so far, and this weekend is no different. In addition to Saturday Patisserie on Saturday morning, we’re really looking forward to our First Ever Summer CSA Potluck & Honey Extraction Party (the name may need a little work)! We’ll be hanging out from 11am-1pm on Sunday, watching beekeeper Joe extract this year’s honey crop in the big barn, eating tasty potluck food, and generally soaking up what looks to be a beautiful August day. We hope you can make it!

Our honeybees are our constant companions on the farm. From their hives, tucked away toward the back corner of the property in a little pine glen, they venture out daily to search for nectar. In early spring they visit the nasturtiums and other flowering plants when we first open the greenhouses. In midsummer, we often find them napping in squash blossoms when we go to harvest zucchini in the morning. In the fall, the asters in the flower garden are positively abuzz. Along with their bumble brethren, we’re sure to see honeybees whenever we’re near a crop that has flowers of any kind. 

The constant presence of bees is such a boon to the farm. During their daily foraging runs, the honeybees provide amazing pollination for our tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and more. They ensure that the plants do the mixing and mingling they need to do in order to produce delicious veggies. Without our pollinator friends (a group that includes many more insects beyond just the honeybees), we’d have a lot more work to do. 

It’s an amazing additional benefit that these little workers produce incredible honey. Joe, our beekeeper, does a stellar job taking care of the hives, ensuring that the bees have what they need to thrive. He visits the farm regularly to check on their well-being, and has shepherded them through what we understand to be a fairly challenging year for bees. We’re particularly appreciative of Joe’s approach to beekeeping, which emphasizes the wellbeing of the bees rather than pushing to maximize honey production. Plus, he’s incredibly knowledgeable - we learn something new about bees every time we talk to him. 

We’re excited that Joe has offered to share his wisdom and showcase the process that transforms the hard work of bees into delicious honey this weekend. If you’d like, bring a jar (with a lid) and we’ll have freshly extracted honey for sale to take home. We’ll also have our own jars available. Joe will give a quick demo around 11:15 and be around to chat bees and answer questions, and anyone who would like to hang out and potluck is welcome to join!

Have a sweet week,

Chris, Ashley, Hallie, and the 10th Street Farm Crew

We're holding our Saturday Patisserie this weekend from 8:30-11:30. Swing by for some fresh-baked sweet and savory pastries and locally roasted coffee!

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In Your Bag This Week

Walla Walla Onions: Sweet onions ready for fresh eating or caramelizing! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Red Cabbage: A staple across cultures, cabbage is equally tasty in a fresh cole slaw and roasted in the oven. Versatile, storable, and beautiful. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Radishes: Beautiful french breakfast radishes have a mild heat and a great crunch. Add to salads or sandwiches for a little extra flavor. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Cucumbers: Crunchy and refreshing, chop up for a salad, add to sandwiches or just eat raw! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Slicer Tomatoes: The taste of summertime! Store on the counter - never in the fridge!

Herbs: Your choice of an herb bunch - mint, rosemary, or basil.

Cherry Tomatoes: A rainbow of flavor, packed in a pint. Store on the counter - never in the fridge!

Eggplant: An optional sub for tomatoes this week if you so choose. We’re growing three varieties of eggplant - Italian, Asian, and Graffiti. Versatile and delicious! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Flavor Mix microgreens (half shares): Mild and tasty, these make an easy salad on their own or can add some color to any other salad. Try them on eggs or sandwiches – or anything, really! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Farm Mix Salad Mix (full shares): A mix of red and green lettuce with just a splash of mustard greens. Delicious with just olive oil and salt, or dress it up! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Zucchini (full shares): A summer staple that’s delicious sautéed, grilled, or baked. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

Sweet Pepper (full shares): Coming in early this year! These are amazing raw, with dips, or added to a skillet or grill. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.

What should I make with what’s in the bag?

Tomatoes, herbs, sweet onions - sounds like the perfect set up for some Tuscan panzanella or an even simpler Sicilian classic: tomato and onion salad. Staying in the same area of the world, CSA member Jonathan shared this recipe for tomates a la provençale. Looks delish!

I consulted my good friends at sweetonions.org for some Walla Walla recipe suggestions and found some fun ideas like Walla Walla zucchini bread and sweet onion & cherry tomato bruschetta. These onions are very versatile, though, so you can just use them like you would any yellow onion without too much issue. Maybe add some to this cucumber radish salad for a little extra flavor?

If you've found a recipe you're loving, please send it our way. We're always looking for new things to cook and share with other members!

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We wash everything in your bag but we wash them in bulk so some things may need an extra rinse at home. Thanks!