Hellgate CSA

From Chez Panisse Desserts

1/2 cup walnuts
7/8 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 tsp granulated sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup softened salted butter
1 1/2 to 2 pounds rhubarb
1/2 pint ripe strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
3/4 sugar
3 tbs flour

Toast the walnuts in a preheated 375 degree oven for 4-6 minutes, or until they smell nutty, then cool them.

It is or was common for a crowd of extras in acting to shout the word "rhubarb" repeatedly and out of step with each other, to cause the effect of general hubbub. As a result, the word "rhubarb" sometimes is used to mean "length of superfluous text in speaking or writing", or a general term to refer to irrelevant chatter by chorus or extra actors.

Possibly from this usage, possibly from a variant on "rube", or perhaps some of both, the word also denotes a loud argument.

Don't know what to do with rhubarb? Here's some helpful info to get you started:

Rhubarb Background

Rhubarb is a vegetable with a unique taste that makes it a favorite in many pies and desserts. It originated in Northern Asia over 2,000 years ago. It was initially cultivated for its medicinal qualities, it was not until the 18th century that rhubarb was grown for culinary purposes in Britain and America.

If you haven't already, point your browser to the Hellgate CSA flickr group!  There are some wonderful new pictures of the meat and dairy farms up north by Site Coordinator Jayme W, and some lovely pictures of last week's share by CSA member Josh B.  Thanks to you both for your fab fotos.

Hellgate CSA Flickr Group

Here's what you're getting this week!

Veggie Share
strawberries
rhubarb
asparagus
lettuce

Herb Share
chives
oregano

Tipped of by an article on Gothamist, I learned that the USDA may relax organic standards even further than they are currently. From the LA Times:

The agency is considering a list of 38 nonorganic ingredients that will be permitted in organic foods. Because of the broad uses of these ingredients — as colorings and flavorings, for example — almost any type of manufactured organic food could be affected, including cereal, sausage, bread and beer.

This is troubling.

News from Lewis Waite Farm

Nancy and Runty

Well, the inevitable happened today (Tuesday June 5). I finally did a full back flop in the muddiest part of the pig pen! I have skidded down muddy slopes. I have tripped and fallen to my knees. I have gone sliding and arms flailing down a slippery clay slope. As a skier for many years, I am pretty good at keeping my balance. But never until today did I have to undress from my muddy slimy jeans and jacket in the porch before I came inside. Luckily we live on a dead end road. Luckily it was raining and cold all day so I had long pants and a waterproof jacket. And luckily I was all done with my chores and I just had to put away the wheelbarrow and come inside.

Mizuna

Originally uploaded by joshbousel

Gorgeous mizuna from this week’s share. Taken by Josh Bousel. He made a very tasty looking salad with mizuna, lettuce, and radishes, and then topped with grilled meat.

As you know, Hepworth Farms will provide our fruit for the season. They provide for other CSAs in the area, and from what I've heard, the fruit is fantastic. Cobble Hill CSA has a little writeup from Amy and Gerry, our farmers, which should give you a little more info about the fruit and the way it is produced:

Hepworth Farms is a small diversified ecologically managed farm located on the banks of the Hudson River. Our farm has been in our family for seven generations.

I just wanted to remind you of the CSA's flickr group!  It can be found, here:

http://flickr.com/groups/hellgatecsa/

For those who are not familiar with flickr, it is a photo sharing site.  If you have a flickr account, please consider joining the group, and posting your pictures of all that is Hellgate CSA-related.  If you don't have a flickr account, it is very easy to create one.  It's free to join, too.
We hope to see you there!