CSA #20 (10/7/2025)
Bloomington CSA Members: Same time, different place!
Because of the early darkness, this week, and for the rest of the season, you will pick up your vegetables at Vitesse Cycle Shop, 206 S. Linden in Normal. Please park in the city lot across the street. And whatever you do, don’t park in the liquor store lot because they tow!
We are extending the deadline to get your meal tickets for Henry’s Farm Tour another 24 hours. Our chef has provided us with this preliminary menu, but there will most likely be MORE!
-Homemade Sourdough Breads with Butter and Pimento Cheese Spread
-Assorted Quick-Pickled Vegetables
-Penne Pasta with Roasted Heirloom and Plum Tomato Marinara
-Orecchiette with Kale Pesto
-Grilled Chicken Legs and Thighs with Herb’s d’Provence
-Green Salads with Lemon Vinaigrette
-Spicy Cabbage Slaw
-Roasted Potatoes
- Rice with Sorrel Pistou
- Lots of Grilled Veggies, Mushrooms, etc.
- Assorted Cookes for dessert
We look forward to seeing you THIS SATURDAY!
NOTE 1: The location this year is Henry’s upper field, 1446 County Road 475 North, Eureka, IL.
NOTE 2: You will not receive a physical ticket ahead of time. Instead, we will have a list of everyone who purchased tickets, and will give you a small red ticket when you arrive at the farm. Then you just show the ticket when you go through the buffet line any time from 2 to 5pm, with fresh food being made and put out continuously. (We encourage you to eat earlier in the time frame because the buffet line is usually longest between 4 and 5pm.)
When you quick-fry okra in hot oil, with or without breading, the heat seals the cut edges, meaning you don’t have any of the slickness that some people don’t like. You can find many recipes online, from many different cuisines from Africa to Asia to India — but here’s a great one from Black People’s Recipes.
In Your CSA This Week
Choice of Tomatoes or Okra: The tomatoes are on a steep decline, but the okra is still coming on strong thanks to the unseasonably warm September and October.
Choice of Peppers: Colored Italian Sweets, Shishito, or Poblano
More Tomatoes!
Choice of lots of different varieties of Asian Chois
Choice of Kale, Chard, or Broccoli Raab
Lettuce or Broccoli: If you got Broccoli last week, you get Lettuce this week. And if you got Lettuce last week, you’ll get a choice of Broccoli, Broccolini, or Chinese Broccoli (aka Gai Lan)
Beauty Heart Radishes — If there’s not enough for everyone, some locations may get the Korean Purple Daikon Radish. Both are fall radishes, and are great sauteed or stir-fried, or grated or sliced in salads.
Some locations will get Festival Acorn Squash, and others will get Onions
Food Notes: Beauty Heart Radish
This mild and crunchy radish has a rather nondescript exterior to hide the beauty within. It is a stunning addition to a plate of raw vegetables, and can also be grated into a mixed root salad. You can also cook them -- in stir-fries, sautes, or roasted with other root vegetables.
Simple Fall Radish Salad
1 large or 2-3 smaller Beauty Heart or other winter radishes, grated or cut into matchsticks (use a mandoline if you have one)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger root (optional
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup parsley leaves, or other herb, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
Cut the radishes into matchstick or julienne. (You may also add carrots, cut similarly, as in the photo below.)
Whisk vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, ginger, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the olive oil.
Add the radish and parsley to the bowl. Toss well to coat. Serve immediately, or chill to serve later.
