CSA Share for a Week {Fresh Veggies GALORE!}

(My little guy, getting an eyeful of the veggies!)

My friend Lynn (who blogs brilliantly here; she's an amazing writer) is out of town this week. When she asked if I would like to pick up her full share as well as her mom's half share from one of the local CSAs that dot the landscape of my part of Ohio, I said YES!

My garden (remember how gung ho I was - I even started a blog about it here) has produced a little bit thus far this season but nothing spectacular. I do have high hopes for my cukes (which I had thought were a bush variety but have begun to throw vines everywhere) and tomatoes; the peppers are trying but my yard is very shady which is less than ideal for gardening.

I've looked into CSAs in the past but wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money up front for a season's share of the harvest. Handing over $300 or $400 is a big deal, especially when I can keep my overall monthly grocery budget very low with coupons and sales. Between Kroger and Aldi, I am able to get great deals on produce week in and week out.

But I am reconsidering and leaning toward buying at least a half share from Kruthaup Family Farm next spring (they're full for this season); their 2010 prices were very reasonable ($275 for a full share; $150 for half share). I would like to support our local farmers and you just can't beat the taste and healthiness of fresh picked from the farm veggies.

If you're interested in learning about local CSAs near you, click here and enter your zip code.

Now, what am I going to do with all those fine veggies above? (And there were even more than what's shown; I dropped off a bunch more at my parents home for them to enjoy.)

Try some new recipes, of course!

Here's a few that look good to me:

Zucchini

Zucchini Cobbler

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup (Freeze for the cooler fall weather)

Cucumbers

Refrigerator Pickles

Chicken Gyros

Broccoli

Broccoli and Cheese Soup (Freeze for the cooler fall weather)

Cabbage

Chinese Cabbage Salad *I made this last week and it's GOOD!*

Green Beans

These I just like steamed (or raw) with a little bit of olive oil and garlic or with a dash of Italian dressing. YUM!

Do you belong to a CSA, either here in the greater Cincinnati or Dayton areas or elsewhere? What's been your experience with CSAs?