Why did you join the Owl's Nest Farm CSA? My wife and I have known Spencer and Liz for years, so it was an easy choice!

What was your favorite fruit, veggie, and/or herb from CSA this year? Jen: I really liked the hon tsai tsai (known around our house as “that random spicy Asian green!”). They were fun to try and I’d never had them before. And of course, strawberries, because they’re the best thing ever.

Will: While I loved the mixed sweet peppers and the tomatoes (obviously), I thought the Toyko Bekana salad mix was, like, memorably good – which is definitely a thing I’ve never thought about salad mix before.

Tell us about any new veggies you tried in 2016. Hon tsai tsai, Tokyo Bekana salad greens, hakurei turnips, and most importantly, ground cherries! Will was obsessed with them. Our friends at Lampo Restaurant in Charlottesville loved them, too, and we were excited to see you guys on their menu alongside a local duck breast.

What tips do you have for folks who might be trying a CSA for the first time? Take the few extra minutes to handle and store your veggie thoughtfully and intentionally each week.

The best part of a CSA is the couldn’t-be-fresher flavors from fruits and veggies that you can you enjoy for days or even weeks if handled properly; the worst part is realizing that all your herbs browned or your tomatoes are mealy because you stuffed them in the fridge and forgot about them. Note from your farmer: Lots of great storage info [here]2.

Please share your favorite recipe(s). Okay, so this one is tough. We made a lot of great meals with Owl’s Nest produce in 2016 (like, for example, our wedding dinner), but here’s two of our favorites: