Recipes for a Hot Summer Day!

The heat really did a number on produce this week... somethings (like zucchini & summer squash) really love heat, other things like raspberries and lettuce struggle to thrive during a heat wave. We anticipated having raspberries available again this week, but there were none to be had from any of our sources (even those we haven't used yet). Some good news, though... peaches are looking great and should be coming in the next week or two!

Here is what you'll find in your crate this week:

Cherries, Blueberries, Zucchini, Summer Squash, Lettuce, Kale, Pickling Cucumbers, Tomato

Medium and large boxes will also have green beans. Large boxes will get to choose an additional item from several options.

Potatoes and onions will be available as a swap item.

Lettuce, Kale, Potations, Onions (pick item) Bushart Farms, Marion

Zucchini, Summer Squash, Beets (pick item)

Homegrown Sweet Cherries Burnap Farms, Sodus

Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Beans

FL Produce Auction, Penn Yan

Blueberries

The Apple Shed, Newark

Don't forget... if you refer a new subscriber to the collective for next week, you'll receive a free gift! Have them list your name using the “Add a Note” option during the check out process, or email us at victoryfarmcollective@gmail.com.

Helpful Hints:

Freezing Fruits & Vegetables

When preparing fruit or vegetables for freezing, wash then lay out on waxed paper on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until frozen. Once the fruit or vegetables are frozen, place them in air-tight bags or containers. This will enable you to use as much or as little as needed in a recipe. Some vegetable, such as green beans, broccoli, carrots, peas, and squash, require blanching before freezing (a quick 1 min dip in boiling water).

Reducing Acne

Did you know Kale helps reduce acne? A 1/2 C fulfills your daily needs for Vitamin A, which attacks blemishes by reducing inflammation and strengthening the skin’s defense against pimple-causing bacteria.

https://www.self.com/recipe/quick-pickled-kale-salad

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Blueberry Kale Smoothie

Prep Time: 5 min | Yield 2 servings |

180 calories/serving

1 C Skim Milk (may almond or soy) 1 C chopped kale, packed 1 frozen banana 1 pint blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1 T honey 1 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/2 tsp dried ginger

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth & creamy.

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Quick-Pickled Kale Salad

Serves 4

1.75 C apple cider vinegar

1/3 C sugar

10 oz thinly sliced pickling cucumbers

1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

4 C thinly sliced Kale

1 1/4 C chickpeas, rinsed & drained

1 T olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered (optional)

1. Combine vinegar, 1/2 C water and sugar in a bowl. Stir in cucumber & onion; set aside to let pickle.

2. Toss kale with chickpeas, 1/3 pickling liquid, oil, salt & pepper. Divide salad into 4 bowls.

3. Strain cucumbers and onion; divide among the 4 bowls. Add 2 egg quarters to each bowl before serving.