The CSA Survival Guide
"What the hell do I do with celeriac, parsnips, and turnips?" - Everyone, their first CSA week
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is like having a farmer shop for you. You buy a "share" of the harvest, and weekly, you get a box of whatever's ready. It's part grocery delivery, part adventure, part therapy.
But let's be real: It can be overwhelming at first. You WILL get vegetables you don't recognize. This is not a fluke; it's a feature. Before CSA, I thought I ate a pretty varied diet, but I've incorporated so many more new vegetables into my meals!
The CSA Selection Strategy
🥬 Full Share vs. Half Share: Start with half. You can always upgrade. Better to want more than waste.
🍓 Added Extras: Fruit share? Egg share? Flower share? Start basic, add later. Some CSAs offer a pick your own farm stand style that includes all the above.
📍 Pickup Location: Convenient > Perfect farm. You'll skip pickup if it's a hassle.
💰 Payment Options: Some offer workshares (work for discount) or payment plans.
What’s This Vegetable
Kohlrabi: Tastes like broccoli stem met an apple. Raw in slaws, roasted until crispy
Bok Choy: Baby cabbage vibes. Stir-fry's best friend
Fennel: Licorice-y celery. Roast it, doubt disappears
Rutabaga: Potato's earthy cousin. Mash it, roast it, love it
Celeriac: Ugly celery root. Makes the world's best mash
Beets: Sweet, earthy gems. Roast ’em, pickle ’em, or blend into hummus
Turnips: Peppery potatoes. Great in soups, roasted, or raw with dip
Daikon Radish: Giant, mild radish. Shred for slaws or pickle it quick
Leeks: Fancy onions. Melt them down for soups or tarts
Chard: Rainbow spinach. Sauté with garlic or toss in soups
Parsnips: Sweet, nutty carrots. Roast until caramelized magic
Escarole: Bitter lettuce. Loves a hot soup or garlicky wilt
Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes): Nutty potatoes. Roast, mash, or soupify
CSA Magic
It's not just vegetables. It's:
Eating seasonally without thinking about it
Supporting a farm directly (they get paid upfront)
Adventures in vegetables you'd never buy
Connection to weather, seasons, soil
The best forcing function for cooking real food
Real Talk: The first month is adjustment. The second month is rhythm. By month three, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
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