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We've been using Boston Organics for a few months now and can't say enough wonderful things about them! Our box is 50/50 fruits/vegetables delivered every other week. They send us locally grown produce when available and each box includes suggested recipes. The interesting, and at times surprising, selection inspires us to cook new and creative meals we might not have considered.

I appreciate the shout-out to Boston (really! those were some painful weeks when we were still frost-bound and the Virtual CSA Box was featuring strawberries), but Boston Organics is NOT a CSA. Maybe you didn't mean to suggest it was.

You're not buying a share from one local farm when you join Boston Organics, so you're not providing a farm the same support or insurance that you would if you joined a CSA. Apart from that, Boston Organics does not have exclusively local food, and it's much more expensive than most CSAs.

Oh good point, v - it's definitely a different thing.

Though I haven't had it in years, I used to make corn fritters with leftover corn on the cob. I know you're supposed to deep fry them, but I always cooked them like pancakes and served them as such and they were just perfect. Maybe I need to go get some corn just so I can have fritters-pancake things.

Hollaback from Bostonland to concur with V, above: BO is not a CSA and, though convenient, does not approach the amazing local bounty of a true CSA. I was actually unimpressed in the pre-farmers'-markets days this spring with their produce. May try again when the season ends, but until then I just hit the markets while I shop around for a CSA for 2008.

Nora, I joined Red Fire Farm, which has a drop off right near Union Square in Somerville. They're based in Granby, which is near Amherst, and they're an organic farm. I've really liked it and they have shares that run into December (although this is my first year so I don't know what the November/December shares are like). I know there are a lot of options, but that's one to keep in mind.

Also, Union Square has an awesome farmer's market on Saturdays from 9 - 1.

Hey V, thanks for the rec. I live in carless in Somerville, and could bike to Union to pick up and haul most times, I think. Haven't made it there for the market, but I hit the Copley one both Tues. and Fri., as it's near my work.

I used to CSA in Chicago with a year-round farm (they bought and traded with others, so it was not only local but was more like a consortium of like-minded and like-aimed farms) and the winter boxes were actually quite good: roots, gourds, squash, hearty greens. Really widened my repertoire in the kitchen. I think that's one of the biggest advantages of a CSA: stretching yourself, culinarily. Though if I NEVER have a big white cabbage stuck in the back of my fridge, lasting for freaking EVER, it'll be too soon.

Yummy and simple - slice off kernels from cob, mix with chopped tomatoes and a little mayo. Salt and pepper to taste. Great way to use up leftovers!