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This summer, I decided to join a Community Supported Agriculture group (“CSA”). A CSA allows consumers to buy local, seasonal produce directly from a farm.
The way it works is simple: the farm offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Consumers buy a share and are then the recipient of a box of fresh seasonal produce every week throughout the farming season.
So why did I join a CSA? Why not plant my own garden? Trust me, I’ve tried. In fact, several years ago, I grew tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers on my patio using Earth Boxes (which work terrifically for anyone who doesn’t have space for a garden, or wants a portable garden). Unfortunately we have a lot of wildlife where we live, which are fun to watch scampering across the backyard, but can become real pests when trying to grow anything good to eat.
There was the daily chipmunk sighting, grabbing a green tomato, only to take one bite and leave it on the ground. At one point, I even wrapped and tied fencing material all around the Earth Boxes and those chipmunks still got in! The end point came when I had to put all my Earth Boxes on top of our patio table so we couldn’t eat outside the rest of the summer (needless to say, this was quite an eyesore!). I finally threw in the towel and decided to take a hiatus from growing my own garden.
In the meanwhile, I have been frequenting our local farmer’s market almost every weekend during the summers, and have enjoyed a wealth of fresh produce from all the different farmers and vendors. Although I love our farmer’s market, I thought it would be fun to join a CSA and be surprised each week with the farm’s freshest pickings. I also thought it would introduce me to vegetables that perhaps I hadn’t tried before.
So here is CSA Box #1 from this week: Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Scallions, Strawberries.
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| CSA Box #1: Two Kinds of Lettuce, Spinach, Baby Arugula, Scallions (tucked underneath) and Strawberries |
Due to poor weather conditions early in the season, this first box was a bit light, but I didn’t mind as it gave me an idea of what to expect quantity wise. Not suprisingly, everything was super fresh. The strawberries were the first to go – there’s nothing like freshly picked strawberries, they actually taste like strawberries, not like the ones found in the supermarket.
The next item that I wanted everyone to try was the baby arugula, with such tender leaves. I made two different arugula salads, one, a simple Arugula and Tomato Salad, and the other, an Arugula and Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese, similar to salads we’ve had at restaurants. Dressed lightly with a fresh Lemon Olive Oil Dressing, both salads were so good.
Arugula Tomato Salad and Arugula Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad with Lemon Dressing Recipes
Ingredients
Lemon Dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- salt and pepper to taste
Arugula Salad
- 4 handfuls arugula
- 1 to mato diced
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts toasted
Instructions
Lemon Dressing
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Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, shallot, salt and pepper.
Assemble Salad
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To assemble salad, toss arugula and tomatoes together. Divide among 4 salad plates. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and walnuts on top.
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Drizzle Lemon Olive Oil Dressing on top.
Arugula Tomato Salad and Arugula Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad with Lemon Dressing Recipes
Ingredients
Lemon Dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- salt and pepper to taste
Arugula Roasted Beet Goat Cheeses Salad
- 4 handfuls arugula
- 4 [roasted beets|https://jeanetteshealthyliving.com/2011/07/csa-box-5-gluten-free-pasta-with-roasted-beets-beet-greens-and-pine-nuts.html] diced
- 4 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons walnuts toasted
Instructions
Lemon Dressing
-
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, shallot, salt and pepper.
Assemble Salad
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Toss arugula and roasted beets together. Divide among 4 salad plates. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and walnuts on top.
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Drizzle Lemon Olive Oil Dressing on top.
Sweet and Spicy Spiralized Cucumber Tomato Arugula Salad Recipe {Daniel Plan Recipe}
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Beets! Yummy! I want to join a CSA but the cost kinda worries me. These salads look and sound incredible!
I keep meaning to join a CSA. This year, we planted a fair bit in our own garden and decided just to supplement with farmer's markets. It all looks so good, those berries look incredible!
Not only is it easier to join a CSA than fight the wildlife (I have the same problem), but it's incredibly satisfying to know that you are supporting a local farm. And every week's box is a surprise, which will be such fun for the kids.
which CSA are you going to? is the produce all organic? i might be interested….~~~and which farmer's markets have u gone to? i haven't been to anything huge like the ones i'm used to from michigan!
How super crazy exciting! My first CSA starts on Monday and I can't wait. It'll be fun to see what we get and to share recipes for those more esoteric veggies! These salads look delicious.
I'm looking forward to seeing what's in my CSA box each week – it's like getting a surprise present! I think my kids will have a lot of fun too trying new vegetables. I joined the Fort Hill Farm CSA in CT, which is an organic farm. On the weekends, and on some weekdays, there are farmer's markets in towns all around in CT.
So jealous you have a CSA near you. Such a great way to diversify what you make each week and support local farmers. Both salads look delish.
That salad looks beautiful, and a fantastic summer treat.
CSA's are a great alternative to those that can't have their own garden. And they help out the local farming community.. I think it's a win-win situation for all.
Jeanette, those salads are absolutely gorgeous! I absolutely love arugula. I actually grew it in my garden this year and would just eat it right out of the garden, I love the peppery-ness of it. We must be on the same wavelength because I just posted an arugula salad.
We probably eat arugula more than any other green in salad. Spinach is a close second. And that dressing is pretty much our staple, except I don't measure anything. Everything is so fresh and delicious looking, I wish I'd signed up for a CSA. I keep meaning to, but haven't yet.
We probably eat arugula more than any other green in salad. Spinach is a close second. And that dressing is pretty much our staple, except I don't measure anything. Everything is so fresh and delicious looking, I wish I'd signed up for a CSA. I keep meaning to, but haven't yet.
We probably eat arugula more than any other green in salad. Spinach is a close second. And that dressing is pretty much our staple, except I don't measure anything. Everything is so fresh and delicious looking, I wish I'd signed up for a CSA. I keep meaning to, but haven't yet.
Salads are so easy to toss together, perfect for the summer times when I like quick and easy meals without much fuss. The nice thing about joining the CSA this year is that I have a menu automatically built into my week since my goal is to serve my family everything in the CSA box!