Minestrone Soup Recipe
The joys of CSA membership
 “Thank You” sign at the Peachtree Farmer’s Market in Atlanta
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Lynn writing this evening. For many years I have listened to friends detail the joys of participating in a CSA (Community-supported agriculture). They like supporting local farmers, the freshness of the fruit and vegetables, and the adventure of cooking with the seasonal mix delivered each week.
This socio-economic model reflects a partnership between farmers and a community of supporters. By making a financial commitment to a farmer, CSA group members help the farm cover operating costs by purchasing a share of the season’s harvest. Most subscriptions run from the spring through the fall; some CSA’s require members to volunteer on the farm during the growing season.
My neighbor Sherri and I decided to split a share from TaylOrganic Farm in Ellenwood, GA, which supplies Whole Foods and several restaurants in metro Atlanta. This spring we began taking turns going to the Saturday morning pick-up at the Peachtree Farmers Market and dividing the weekly bounty for each household. We love the adventure and send quick emails during the week comparing recipes and ideas. As I place various dishes on the table, family members and dinner guests ask if Farmer Neil grew this item.
I look forward to my pick-up mornings at the Farmers Market. First, I gather our CSA share – peeking into the box to see what the farm produced this week – then I decide if any additional produce is needed to augment the harvest. Next, I visit H&F Bakery for ciabotta bread or a morning treat, then the Via Elisa stand for fresh pasta (their for the lemon Ricotta Lemon Zest Ravioli is sublime). Before heading home I grab a cup of Batdorf & Bronson coffee.
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Today our CSA bounty included: basil, peppers, okra, green bean, muscatine grapes, potatoes, pittypat squash eggplant and tomatoes. After mulling various options and weekly menu needs, I made minestrone soup by combining recipes from “No More Frozen Pizza!” and the Moosewood Cookbook.
Have a wonderful weekend. Our thoughts are with those impacted by Ike.
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September 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am
The buy local scene has really come to life in Atlanta the last few years…thank goodness! I can’t wait to try H&F Bakery. Along with Anne Quatrano, Linton Hopkins has really elevated cuisine (particularly by celebrating local and regional food and purveyors) and given us outposts to rival other great food cities.
October 18th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
[...] 30 minutes. This week, the AJC Dinner Dare is with Linton Hopkins (he’s part of the team behind H&F Bread Company, Restaurant Eugene and Holman & Finch Public House). For the dare, Hopkins created a [...]
December 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
[...] weekend I spent some time in my neighbor Sherry’s garden. Sherry is not only my CSA partner but also an avid urban gardener and very creative. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, a mere [...]