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04/12/2016 12:00 AMCommunity Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares are a neat concept. You sign up with a local farmer and pay a set fee at the start of the season, and the farmer prepares a basket of his or her best seasonal produce for you to pick up once a week or so. The larger farms can offer more shares to the public, while smaller farms may only be able to offer a few dozen. Buying your CSA share early helps the farmers plan better and it gets them through their leaner months.
Easy recipes for your CSA harvests
Early Summer Box
Swiss chard, garlic scapes: Pasta
Process the scapes with olive oil, Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts for an easy pesto. Toss with cooked pasta and sauteed Swiss chard leaves.
Midsummer Box
Basil, Cippolini onions, radiccho: Grilled Pizza
Top a pie with these ingredients, plus a sharp white cheese like Fontina or Asiago, and grill.
Late Summer Box
Jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, cilantro: Salsa
Puree all three together for a fresh summer dip.
Grill it
Cabbage, romaine, and escarole: Quarter, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred.
Watermelon: Slice and grill until golden brown.
Strawberries, peaches, and plums: Skewer and grill until golden. Puree and fold into yogurt.
Freeze It
Cherry tomatoes: Great for sauce or bloody mary mix.
Greens: First blanch, then chop.
Berries and sliced stone fruit: Use in smoothies and baked desserts.
-Recipes from www.wholeliving.com
Local CSAs – check availability with
them if you're interested in a share!
The earlier the better.
Barberry Hill Farm353 Boston Post Road, Madison
203-245-2373
www.barberryhillfarm.com
Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and Winery1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford
203-453-2338
www.bishopsorchards.com/the-farm/csa-program
Bitta-Blue Farm228 River Road, Killingworth
860-663-2428
www.bittabluefarm.com
Cecarelli Farms186 Old Post Road, Northford
203-484-0101
www.cecarellifarms.com
Deep River Farms362 West Elm Street, Deep River
860-598-9824
www.deepriverfarms.com
DeFranceso Farm327 Forest Road, Northford
203-484-2028
www.defrancescofarm.com
Farm River Farm200 Meadow Street, East Haven
203-871-9909
www.farmriverfarm.tumblr.com
Field House Farm(Sold out for the 2016 season – try again next year!)
623 Green Hill Road, Madison
203-779-9187
www.fieldhousefarm.net/csa-program
Maple Breeze Farm
563 East Pond Meadow Road, Westbrook
860-399-4611
www.maplebreezefarm.com