This year, David and I signed up for a CSA – which stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”. It’s a way for those of us living in New York City to get a weekly supply of organic and locally grown veggies every week. The share is roughly $450 and lasts for 24 weeks. We also signed up for a fruit share, which starts later in the year.

I really had no idea what to expect, except what I heard from a friend that had participated in a CSA last year. We signed up with a CSA for the West Village. Their pickup locations is less than a block away. Their farm is Stone Ledge Farm" and they are an organic farm.

This week was almost all leafy green vegetables – which is what I was hoping for. I don’t recognize some of the items. I’m assuming that I can eat most – if not all – of the foods raw. Here’s the whole list:

• RHUBARB-1 bunch-very tart perennial that is only available for a short time in the spring.
  
• RED LEAF LETTUCE (Red Tide)-1 head
  
• MIZUNA-1 bunch (Green with serrated leaves. Good in salads or lightly cooked)
  
• ARUGULA-1 bunch
  
• BOK CHOI-1 head (white, crunchy stems, dark green leaves)
  
• CHINESE CABBAGE (Rubicon)-2 heads (described in the seed catalog as “sweet, tangy, juicy and delicious”) This makes a great fresh slaw or used in stir fry.
  
• RADISHES-1 bunch
  
• SAGE with Flowers-1 bunch. The flowers are beautiful on the sage which grows as a perennial. Strip the leaves and use with any poultry dish. Enjoy the flowers as a bonus.

As my friend said, it’s sort of like an episode of Iron Chef – you never know what you’re getting from week to week. The fun of it is coming up with something once you know the ingredients.