CSA Update
I realize it’s been awhile since this post about whether or not to join the CSA this year.
The deadline for returning members was March 12th and kids, I decided to let it pass without joining up.
I am currently on the wait list for two other CSA’s, one much closer to my home which has been in existence for about a year and another, which is brand new and just a few subway stops away. Both of them, for some reason, are cheaper than the one I joined last year and as I said, closer to my apartment, making pick-up a lot easier. I’m currently of the mind that if I get an e-mail over the next few weeks that I have secured a spot, I will happily join up. If I do not, I will stay on the wait list for next year and figure out something else to do this summer—farmer’s market, move to Abbie’s farm in Connecticut, etc.
The ideal scenario would be to secure a spot in either of those two CSA’s linked above, especially the one which is almost DOWN THE STREET. The exciting thing about that one is that they offer vegetable and fruit shares but also an HERB share with separate BASIL share as well as a one-time tomato share. I did not participate in the tomato share offered by my CSA last year but kind of regret it. I was far too busy to figure out how to smush those delicious red babies into pizza and pasta sauce and that was a MISTAKE. If I get into the CSA, I plan on signing up for the tomatoes and then bugging the hell out of someone to teach me how to preserve them for the winter, all Little House on the Prairie and shit.
Oh! Good times with local agriculture!
Some other things I’d like to look into this summer if I do not get into the CSA:
* finding a way to grow some herbs. In pots? On a windowsill?
* finding a way to haul ass to a farmer’s market
* figuring out how to sleep in temperatures above 85 degrees so we don’t have to install our air conditioner this year
* figuring out to preserve more summer produce
Last year, the only thing I really had in excess was a crapload of zucchinis. I shredded them and froze them in bags for bread baking. Guess what? They are still in the freezer. Does frozen zucchini go bad? Anyone?
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT. A downright HILARIOUS and FASCINATING wrap-up of where I’m at with regards to the CSA and also, some ridiculously lame goals for the summer. Does anyone have some others to share? Keeping in mind that I live in a New York City apartment? I’m thinking water conservation wouldn’t hurt, perhaps putting a timer in the bathroom for showers?
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go eat a Macadamia Nut Luna bar which is neither local nor fresh nor anything at all except completely 100% vegan and processed and full of chemicals and vitamins. ONE STEP AT A TIME, PEOPLE.
I’ve had success growing herbs like basil in a windowsill. Here, they sell them pre-potted at the farmer’s market and the food co-op. Maybe you can buy them like that there, too? I wonder if even Whole Foods might sell them.
The heat thing suuuuuuuuucks. I’ve only had A/C in one apartment in Madison and it’s been kind of hellish everywhere else. Loooooove sleeping in a pile of my own sweat. Those ice packs for athletes are helpful on your feet (as are washcloths dipped in ice water), cool satin sheets are awesome, and of course a good old-fashioned box fan.
Seems unfair for it to get so cold in the winter AND so hot in the summer.
Haha! Well if you want to move here you’ll learn all that stuff. But you’ll also have to work in the fields and in the farm market. There’s no free lunch here
Preserving tomatoes is so easy! You don’t have to can them if you don’t want to, you can freeze them instead! Just dip them into boiling water to the skin will slide off, smush them with your hands into a pot, cook and season and you have homemade tomato sauce! So easy.
I’d say you’ve got a cousin who can do all those things and teach you how. Just be careful she doesn’t want to pee on your plants. Ha!