Last year I joined a CSA. I love vegetables and fruit, but there is nothing like purchasing them right from the farm. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way for shoppers to do just that: to purchase local, seasonal food directly from a farmer who offers a select number of "shares" to the public. This usually includes vegetables, but fruit, meat and egg shares are also offered by some. The difference, and arguable advantage if you are an adventurous eater, is that in buying from a CSA is that you do not pick your produce. The selection is given to you based on what the farmer feels is most ripe, and for your payment, you receive an allotment of each of the vegetables, fruit, etc. from that week's crop, without having to set foot on the farm (though that would be fun!) Not only do you get the cream of the crop, you support the livelihood of local farmers (enter the term locavore). It's a win win.
Yesterday my share included flat leaf kale, parsely, turnips, zucchini, white cabbage, red leaf lettuce, loose field lettuces, cucumber and purple basil. Yes! Purple-fabulous-smelling-gorgeous-to-look-at basil! In fact, thanks to one of my followers on Twitter, I learned that there are 31 different kinds of basil, which you can learn more about at the link below (keeping in mind it's wikipedia...)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_basil_cultivars
I have to admit I have yet to do anything with the basil (maybe I'll make my Trendy Vegan pasta sauce and freeze it ~ you can search this site for the recipe) but I did juice this morning with the parsley, kale and cucumber. However, I should have stopped there. I added the turnips...2 of them...and then I took a drink. My son laughed as I almost spit it out. Note to self: turnips are for soups or purees, NOT for juice!
