Ramps, a member of the Leek family have arrived this week, and we may hope for some spring abundance if there are no surprise frosts in the next week. Of course summer may come too early, and our recent warmer climate makes it feel as if this is almost inevitable.
Next week, there will be a few more hothouse treats to
look forward to. From Hepworth Farm we expect Premium and Elegance
mixes*. We will probably also see Baby Red Bok Choy, and Baby Red
Russian Kale.
From Lancaster Family Farm Cooperative we will have our
first Komatsuna greens, a member of the Turnip family, sometimes
described as a Japanese Mustard Spinach.
Coop member Marisa
requested Yu Choy during the winter. We asked Gail (of Hepworth Farms), Amy Hepworth's twin,
if she would grow this for us. Later in the year we will carry the
mature vegetable, but next week Hepworth Farms will likely harvest the
first of this baby green that we've carried.
When these
various harbingers of spring make their appearances, members begin to
ask almost daily "Where are the Garlic Scapes?" For the next 6 or 8
weeks we say, "Sorry, but these are not an early spring item." This
response is invariably met with skepticism. Garlic Scapes are the
flowering stalks of various Hardneck Garlics, and don't appear until a
much later stage in the growth of the Garlic plant, usually the end of
May. Can't wait for the Scapes? Try the Spring Garlic Greens, which look
a lot like scallions, but they do pack Garlic flavor.
*Premium Mix - Yukina Savoy, Golden Frill Mustard, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Tokyo Behana, and Red Komatsuna
*Elegance Mix - Red Bok Choy, Garnet Giant Mustard, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Spigariello, Broccoli Rabe, and Mizuna
Allen Zimmerman - Produce Buyer - General Coordinator
