Week of September 23
My dear Community,
The autumn equinox yesterday marked the official start of fall, and I am finally feeling ready to fully embrace the season. There’s something special about this time of year—the crisp air, the shifting light, craving warmer, grounding foods. Our bodies naturally shift with the seasons, and fall is a time to nourish ourselves with heartier meals, slow down a bit, and sync with nature's rhythms. 🍁
Fall is a great time to try new recipes that offer warmth and comfort while still nourishing our bodies. Think hard squashes, root vegetables, and hearty greens- kale, swiss chard and collard greens come to mind. One simple and delicious immunity boost tip during this season: add warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric to your meals.
For those of you who ordered yellow peaches last week, they just weren’t quite ready. This week, we’re picking the very last of the season. Add them to your box from the store if you'd like a last taste of summer's bounty. Quantities limited!
Unfortunately our beloved bread baker had a little accident—she fell and dislocated her shoulder so will pause baking for the next few weeks. But her husband Bruce stepped up and is learning the art of bread baking himself. We’re hopeful we won’t be waiting too long to enjoy their delicious loaves again. Sending them both lots of love as she heals! We'll let you know as soon as it's available again.
I hope you enjoy all the beautiful produce in your box this week, especially the lesser-known gem: fennel! Fennel is not only flavorful but also packed with health benefits. It's great for digestion, rich in antioxidants, and high in fiber and vitamin C. If you’ve never cooked with fennel before, it can be roasted, sautéed, or even eaten raw shaved in salads. My favorite easy tip? Slice it thin and toss it with olive oil, lemon, and a pinch of salt for a refreshing side dish. Or make an easy slaw with the recipe included this week. Don’t hesitate to try something new with your fennel! Big love to everyone for supporting us as we move into this beautiful fall season.
🐄 Shaina with Diamond Black Specialty Meats, has some half cows for sale. I love this family and am happy to support them. All cows are grass fed and finished. There's about 245 lbs of meat in a half cow @ $14.85/lb and she delivers. If you’re interested, please reach out to her directly at (831) 566-2159 for more details.
Be good to each other.
CSA Box Contains:
CARROTS
HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
GREEN ZUCCHINI
ROMAINE LETTUCE
RED BELL PEPPERS
LACINATO KALE
YELLOW ONIONS
BARTLETT PEARS
APPLES (whatever variety we pick in our orchard tomorrow)
FENNEL
BIG BOX ADD: CARROTS, RED BUTTER LETTUCE, MOUNTAIN MAGIC TOMATOES, APPLES, BUTTERNUT SQUASH
JUST the BASICS:
CARROTS
ROMAINE LETTUCE
BARLETT PEARS
HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
GREEN ZUCCHINI
RED BELL PEPPERS
JUICE FEAST:
ROMAINE LETTUCE
GALA APPLES X2
LACINATO KALE
CARROTS X2
CILANTRO
GALA APPLES
FENNEL
CUCUMBERS
FRUIT EXPANSION: GALA APPLES + PEARS
LETTUCE OF THE WEEK: RED BUTTER
MUSHROOM MIX: from WOLFE FARMS
Fennel Apple Salad
Ingredients:
2 fennel bulbs stalks removed
2 green apples (or sub any apple)
¼ large purple onion cut into ½ slices
½ cup walnuts
Salad Dressing
4 Tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
1 Tablespoon lemon juice of
¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon honey (can use maple syrup for vegan but prefer honey)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Delightful Mom Food
Fall Kale Salad with Chicken
Ingredients:
12 ounces diced butternut squash, 1/2 inch dice
(Roast a sliced up fennel bulb and add to salad for an amazing flavor twist)
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
5 cups shredded kale, I like lacinato kale
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 medium apple, such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady
1/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped
1/4 cup unsweetened craisins or golden raisins
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken breast
2 ounces goat cheese
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Skinny Taste
Delicious Zucchini Pizza Crust
Ingredients:
For the crust:
½ cup almond flour, plus more for dusting
2 medium zucchini (about 2 cups, shredded)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Fine sea salt and pepper
Cooking spray
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Ambitious Kitchen
Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lbs tomatoes grape, cherry or heirloom tomatoes
½ lbs sweet bell peppers or any mild chili pepper
5 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
2 filets anchovy optional
½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper ground (plus more to taste)
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Make It Dough
The Best Paleo Apple Pear Crisp Ever
Ingredients:
2 large pears
3 organic honey crisp apples (or your preferred apple)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
Crumb topping:
5 tablespoons softened pasture-raised butter, ghee or coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup*
1 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raw pecans
1/2 cup almond flour*
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger