Springtime in Michigan is an iffy proposition. Two weeks ago we had a preview of summer: for almost a week it was sunny with a high in the mid-80s. That didn’t last, of course, and the weather took a different direction. During this past week, it’s been in the chilly 40s and 50s with a relentless cold rain. Additionally there was a frost warning: our local “frost-free” date is in mid-May. Thus we are lucky to get local produce in April (our farmers are clever!). Let me show you the CSA 2023 week 1 produce box.
This is our second year as members of the CSA from Beaverland Farms in Detroit, MI. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture: think of it as a subscription to a farm. The farm is only 10 miles from our house, so we’ll be getting super-local produce every week, and for the next 7 months – yes, 28 weeks of produce boxes! – we’ll be eating what’s fresh from the farm.
This first box brings us:
- a big bag of spinach
- bok choy
- green onions
- potatoes
- pea shoots
- carrots
- (not shown) a big bunch of fresh rosemary
While I wash and package the veggies, I think about how I might use them. We always want to use up a box before the next one arrives! I look at the weather forecast to help plan. Hm, cold and wet for half a week, but then clearing, with temps well into the 50s. For me, that means a pot of soup or maybe even 2 this week.
So, then: possible menu items in CSA 2023 week 1 include:
- ginger carrot soup
- meatball & orzo soup
- pasta with sausage and spinach
- creamed spinach
- bok choy with garlic & oyster sauce
- roasted potatoes with rosemary
- stir-fried pea shoots with sesame oil