What is that big, white root in my winter share?

Diakon radish!

A very large white root mostly found in Japanese cooking.  It can be eaten raw, cooked or fermented.   I have used this in soups and stews, made fries out of them, shredded for salads, cubed and roasted with other root veggies.  But is is best known for shredding and fermenting like cabbage.  Then add to anything you would put kraut onto or add to lettuce wraps and Chinese food.  Oh!  and it can be shredded and added to cabbage salad.  Can be sweet and can be hot….just like any other radish!

Dry rub for roasted root veggies…compliments of Jacquie

1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp paprika (or smoked paprika for a change)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper…say spicy please!

Add all these into a gallon zip-locked bag with 1/4 cup EVOO.  Massage together before adding veggies. Cut 4# root veggies into cubes as close to the same size as possible. Toss into bag and make sure everything is covered well. Cover a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper and dump veggies onto paper adding every last drop of spice mix over veggies. Roast at 400 degrees for 35 minutes, more if at higher altitude.

Serves 8 or makes wonderful leftovers.

Newsletter – November 4, 2020

NOTE: This blog is posted by a volunteer. No one from the farm checks or responds to messages here. You must contact the farm directly with any questions, comments, etc.

Dear Winter Members,

This week you are getting, Delicata & acorn squash, Yukon Gold potatoes, leeks, Bulls Blood red beets, carrots, yellow & red onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell & jalapeno peppers from last summer, black beans, and a mixed bag of kale/spinach and a few small tomatoes from last summer. 

    Through experimentation and experience (Jerry always tells me he has yesterdays’ experience) he plans on giving you the majority of the sweet potatoes, winter squash and lettuce/greens by the end of December.  He is afraid it will not store/grow into January or February.  So please enjoy while we have it!  And if we can keep any of it into the later months, we will try.  But storing produce the ‘a la natural way’ does not allow for flexibility.  We do not spray growth prohibitors, waxes or other chemicals on our produce while it is in storage.  Therefore, it will start to get soft, break down and go bad.  Sorting will be a huge part of our job in the coming months.  If you need to make any changes to your share, please notify me Thursday the week before distribution.

    There are eight deliveries (9 bags) over a four-month period.  The delivery schedule for the first half of winter is as follows:  November 4^th, November 18^th, December 2^nd and December 16^th.  We will then take three weeks off and return delivering produce for the second half of winter as follows:  January 13^th, January 27^th, February 10^th and February 24^th.

  December 16^th is unique in the fact that you will be getting two bags of produce to get you through the approx. 4 weeks we are off.  If you are splitting the Share, both of you will need to pick up this day.   Then split the very last day of distribution in half so both of you go home with produce.

    Distribution Center (DC) Info:  Show your distribution centers the respect they deserve!  They’re members of the farm, volunteering their time and homes.  Please respect their hours.  Keep information about your DC either in your phone or by your home phone.  Call them if there is a problem getting to the DC location during normal hours or you need to make arrangements to hold your produce or pick up the next day.  Remember, produce will be stored in their garages.  If the temperatures are below freezing, your produce may freeze too.  If you need to cancel your share completely or for the week, call me at the above number no later than the Thursday before Distribution takes place. 

    Payment Schedule:  For those of you who chose to make monthly payments; please make sure your payments are received by the 1^st of each month.  Those of you who chose to make payments in thirds; your second payment is due November 15^th. 

    Newsletter/Bags:  We use these bags over and over so it is important you return them every week.  Newsletters will not go out with every delivery, not much to say.  Besides, I send out monthly newsletters to the entire membership.   A list of produce will be on the blog each time, so check it out!  Email is sent to notify you something has been posted.      monroeorganicfarms.wordpress.com