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Help me brainstorm
My CSA allows us to make requests on what is grown on the farm next season. I am trying to brainstorm if there is anything that I would like planted. It can be fruit, flowers, herbs or vegetables as long as it can be grown in the midwest (so no tropical fruits.) I love to cook, so please name some luxury items for the kitchen.
This year the farmer grew (sorry I can't seem to remember everything she grew):
Fruit
strawberries, blueberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, Asian pears, peaches, apples, plums, quince, raspberries (black and red)
Vegetables
Kale, spinach, salad greens, garlic, squash, beans, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, corn, eggplant, peppers, zuccini, bok choy
Herbs
Cilantro, sweet basil, rosemary, sage
Flowers
Sunflowers
Re: Help me brainstorm
I would add dill, and maybe oregano to the herbs.
Snow or sugar snap peas are early and delicious. And regular peas. I love peas.
peas peas peas please!! all kinds but especially the 'english' types
lemon cucumbers
a chinese or turkish eggplant
sunflower sprouts (these are indoors, so might not apply, but SO delicious)
flat-leaf parsley
parsley root
a mild radish variety
Ooooh, those are some good ideas. I don't think I have ever had a lemon cucumber before. I will have to do some research on that. I was also thinking of some English peas as well. She did grow some peas this year (they are currently in my freezer.)
That's awesome that they let you request that! I would ask for:
Fruit - other pear varietys, like Bosc or Seckel. I absolutely *loved* Seckel pears this year. Maybe figs? Not sure if they grow in the Midwest.
Vegetables - Swiss chard, winter squash (butternut, acorn, and eating pumpkins at least), Choi Sum (an asian green that tastes like a cross between broccoli and celery. Yum YUM!), collard greens, hot peppers, cherry tomatoes, okra, peas (agree with Alisha, these are awesome!).
Herbs - Oregano, lemon verbana, dill, tarragon (I can't live without it), mint, parsley, thyme
Flowers - Zinnas are an easy-to-grow cut flower. So is cockscomb, Queen Ann's Lace, and pretty ornamental grasses.
Cabbage, beets, artichokes
Thyme, oregano, mint, parsley
Jerusalem Artichokes
Purple Basil
Pea Leaf (salad green)
Arugula
Celery and green beans!
My absolute favorite co-op item this year has been figs. TBH, I don't entirely know where they're capable of growing, but if they can grow by you, I highly recommend them. They don't last long enough to be sold in grocery stores, so the only time I've ever seen or eaten fresh ones is when they show up in my produce basket on weekends. Yum.
We also get stevia leaves. I keep stashing them in the freezer because I haven't really figured out what to do with them. Another herb we get is chamomile, which is nice.
I researched figs because I went on a mission to find some this year and they don't grow here.
I bought 12 pumpkins off of another farmer in the area. I love lumina pumpkin. I forgot about tarragon. I love that herb too. Thank you all for the wonderful ideas.
edamame
pear tomatoes
asparagus
melons
You are most welcome. I am thrilled to have worked at my Farmer's Market this summer for an organic produce vendor, so I love talking veggies
Ditto PP too. Celery, beets, and cabbage. Market celery is *nothing like* grocery store celery. It's bright green, firm (not watery) and fuuullll of flavor.
I am intrigued by the celery. No one at our market sold celery this year which surprised me a little.
Celery takes some effort - you either have to grow it in a trench or put something around the plant (like a coffee can) to get nice long stalks.
My mom grows it. I don't. Too much work for something that I would only use as filler.
I will talk to my farmer. She loves growing difficult things.