Dear CSA members and fearless localvores,

On the night of elections, I’m happy to report that vegetables are neither Democrat or Republican or even Green Party members.  Regardless of your political views, vegetables are always on your side, waiting to give you everything you need while fashion, politics and even empires come and go.

This week I would like to extend a special welcome to our newest CSA members, a whole group of hungry folks from SonomaCounty’s Human Services Department.  They have self-organized into a new drop site and will be receiving veggies for the remainder of the season.  Many thanks to Lois Havness for inspiring this group to eat local and support SonomaCounty farmers (me).

On the farm, we are rapidly transitioning into winter mode, tilling expired crops into the soil, planting cover crops to build soil fertility and erecting greenhouses to protect newly planted crops for the remaining CSA season.  We are all needing a rest as the seasonal energy turns inward and encourages us to be slower.

I hope you all enjoy this week’s harvest!

Peace and blessings,

Nathan & Maya

PURPLE TOP TURNIPS (remember to cook the greens – yum!)

CARROTS

ACORN WINTER SQUASH

TREE COLLARDS – like red russian kale, sauté or steam

SALAD GREENS

CAYENNECHILE (hot) Good for heating up your favorite stir-fry or winter soup!

SPINACH

GARLIC

BASIL – the last gasp of basil from our greenhouse for the season!

Acorn Squash rings with Honey-Soy Glaze
from an undated Bon Appetit clipping
(modified slightly)

• Nonstick veggie spray [or some oil]
• acorn squash
• 3 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tsp. rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Spray with nonstick spray [or brush lightly with oil]. Cut off both ends of each squash, then cut them crosswise into 4 rings each. Scoop out seeds and discard. Place squash rings in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, cover tightly with foil and bake until squash begins to soften, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk next 5 ingredients in a small bowl to blend. Remove foil from squash and brush half the mixture over squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake uncovered 10 minutes. Brush remaining mixture over squash and continue to bake until squash is brown, tender and glazed, about 10 more minutes.