Saturday marked a special day for me – the first CSA pick-up from Hen House. I’ll admit, it was a little like “Christmas Morning” – I was excited and anxious to see what kind of goodies would be in the bags at pickup. And I wasn’t disappointed.
The rest of the strawberries I mashed (or Cuisinart Food Processored) with 3/4 cup of sugar. I put the mixture into a medium saucepan on the stove with a cornstarch mixture and waited for it to boil. Don’t make fun of my pans – I know they look like they’ve been through a tornado. 🙂
It set-up in the fridge for a couple of hours. We served it with fresh whipping cream (1 1/2 cups whipping cream with 1/2 cup sugar) and it was divine.
Cristina says
Wow, those strawberries look GOOD! Oh and cream cheese is never ever bad on anything. 🙂
I've been thinking about joining a CSA at some point, but I'm wondering if you feel you get your money's worth that way. I realize that some of the locally grown meats and produce may be better for you than the things we typically buy in grocery stores. That aside, is it a good deal?
I had a huge knee jerk reaction after watching Food, Inc and that made me consider changing the way I buy food, but I was quickly discouraged to find that one of the farmers featured in the movie sold chicken breasts for something like $6.00/lb. Thanks, but no thanks.
Kelly and Ali says
Cristina –
What a tell people is that a CSA isn't $.69/lb Fuji apples or $1/4 Kiwis. So if you are looking for the cheapest produce you can find – a CSA isn't it.
With that being said – the quality of produce I receive from a CSA is light-years ahead of stuff from the local grocery store. The reason? It is picked at its prime and sold very soon afterward. Also – it is as close to being organic as you get. (Being certified organic takes $$$ that some of these small farms can't afford.)
Finally – I used to do the Farmer's Markets (and I still do a couple) but I was tired of thinking I was getting "local" produce when it was really coming off a wholesale truck from Florida or California.
Is my CSA a bit of a spluge? Yes. But I am willing to spend for it because I get so many other health/beauty/cleaning products for next to nothing. It is a balance.
– kel
Melissa @SavingCentswithSense says
That pie looks so wonderful! I think my son would love to make a strawberry pie with his strawberries- but I don't think I can get him to stop eating them as soon as they are picked!
I look forward to more of your updates and thanks for linking up!
Jill says
Any good stores up in Rich Hill? I go to several Mennonite stores down in Tipton, MO but since I live in the KCMO area it's a it far. I'd love to find something comparable here.
Kelly and Ali says
Jill – I don't think they had a store – at least not one that I saw. I just got to hang out on the farm where they grow all the produce. However, I know exactly about which store you are talking about in Tipton – I hit that baby everytime I drive down to Lake of the Ozarks.
– kel