Summer CSA Week Eight | Tons of Tomatoes
- 10th St. Farm & Market
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
Week 8: August 6th - August 9th
I think I spend too much time thinking about tomatoes. Especially in the winter, when the stores stock round red things that only sort of resemble the tomatoes we know and love. That’s when my mind starts to wander to pink and dark red and orange and yellow and striped heirloom tomatoes, sliced thick on a sandwich or diced into a fresh pico de gallo. I think the seed companies must know this, because that’s when the catalogs arrive.
For most crops, seed selection is fairly straightforward. We have a list of the varieties we know and love - that are organic, have good flavor, grow well in our soil and our climate, and work within our systems. Many of these we’ve grown for years, and see no reason to stray. In a typical season we add a few new varieties to these standbys, seeking substitutes or searching out new traits. But generally we try to stay strong and avoid the siren call of catalog descriptions.
Tomatoes are where our will wavers. Beautiful fruit pops off the pages of the catalogs, imploring us to try some new things. And inevitably, we’re convinced to give some of them a shot. This year, after promising ourselves we would grow far fewer tomato varieties and stick to the standards, we are growing…21 varieties instead of 22. You can check the slicers out above, and the cherries below.
Some of the varieties are old favorites. Citrine and Sakura for our orange and red cherry tomatoes, Black Krim and Cherokee Purple for our rich maroon slicers. BeOrange for a low-acid tomato that always tastes as good as it looks. But we’re trying some newbies as well, on the hunt for the perfect mix. A yellow cherry called Yellow Mimi that has done well so far. A dusky brown cherry inaccurately named Black Cherry that might be making a one-year appearance. A red-flecked yellow slicer called Margold that has completely astounded us with its size and flavor.
Right now, the farm is overflowing with these tomato varieties - a beautiful combination of colors, tastes, and sizes that we think offer something for everyone. We’re loving this year’s mix, and already telling ourselves to savor the taste while it’s here - and to remember which varieties are knocking our socks off. After all, the seed catalogs will be here before we know it.
Have a week full of variety,
Chris, Ashley, Hallie, and the 10th Street Farm Crew
A NOTE ABOUT FOOD SAFETY:
As you have no doubt seen in the headlines, a pretty nasty bug called cyclospora has been making its way around the country. We want to assure you that our produce is not affected! This parasite is transmitted through human feces, and likely originated at a farm or food processing facility with improper water management practices and/or poor labor conditions. We are food safety certified through FSMA (the Food Safety Modernization Act) and our farm is certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. We follow best practices by (of course) providing a bathroom with running water to our employees and emphasizing hygiene on the farm. All of our produce is washed with clean well-water (the same well we use for our own home) and we test that well regularly to ensure its safety. So go forth and eat salad! And tell your friends to support local farms!
In Your Share This Week
Choice:
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.
Sweet Pepper: Our first fully colorful sweet peppers! These are amazing raw, with dips, or added to a skillet or grill. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Choice:
Carrots: These carrots are sweet, crunchy, and oh so addicting! Remove tops and store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Broccolini: Tasty tender broccoli shoots - eat them leaves and all. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Choice:
Head Lettuce: Beautiful romaine and summercrisp lettuce. Great for everything from lettuce wraps to salads and sandwiches. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Farm Mix Salad Mix: A diverse mix of tasty red and green lettuces. Delicious with just olive oil and salt, or dress it up! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Kale: Hearty yet still tender, the kale is tasting great this summer. Maybe time for some kale chips? Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Choice:
Flavor Mix microgreens: 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.
Power Greens Micro Mix: Our newest micro mix! A nutrient-dense blend of broccoli, kale, daikon, and bekana sure to power up any dish!
Arugula microgreens: Peppery micros add a little punch to pizza, salads, pestos, sandwiches, eggs, and more. Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Full Share Choice:
Jalapeño Pepper: Add some zip to whatever you’re cooking up! Not the hottest pepper, but these flavorful and familiar jalapeños serve up plenty of spice! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Cilantro microgreens: Zippy micros to add a little flavor to whatever's on your plate! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Choice On The Table (Half Shares choose 3, Full Shares choose 4-5) - LIMIT ONE POTATO PER SHARE MEMBER, PLEASE
Slicer Tomatoes: The taste of summertime! Store on the counter - never in the fridge!
Cherry Tomatoes: A rainbow of flavor, packed in a pint. Store on the counter - never in the fridge!
Basil: The perfect partner for summer veggies! Herbaceous and tasty. Store in a glass of water outside the fridge.
Walla Walla Onions: Sweet onions ready for fresh eating or caramelizing! Store in an airtight bag or container in your fridge.
Potatoes: Great for summer potato salads, grilled or roasted. Store in a dark, dry place.
Garlic: Our first garlic of the season! Store on your counter.
Kitchen Inspiration
I can’t stop thinking about this heirloom tomato and cheddar pie - it just looks so good! If you have the time, this one is well worth it.
It’s also prime salsa time, when tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños are all ripe and tasting great at the same moment. Try a classic pico de gallo, or toss things in a food processor for a more blended homemade salsa. If you’re looking for another way to use cilantro, a cilantro lime crema is the perfect addition to tacos, nachos, and even salads.
And speaking of salads, this cucumber and carrot ribbon salad looks absolutely delightful. Or maybe something a bit more filling, like this tortellini pasta salad?
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!
Please remember to bring back your Purple or Blue bag each week! Thank you!
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