2019. Week 1!

Welcome to CSA season 2019! Thank you for joining. 
We have high hopes for a great year. If you are new to our CSA, you can rely on this weekly blog post to give you a heads-up what's coming your way, produce cleaning and storage tips, and an assortment of my favorite recipes.

The lineup this week:

If you want your greens to stay fresh and crisp, it is very important to take time to clean and store them well.  Here is a link to specific instructions on how to prep your greens ( bok choy, kale, broccoli rabe)

Asparagus - If you are not going to use it that day, you should store asparagus in your refrigerator in a bowl or mug with some water in the bottom.  The asparagus will slowly drink up the water and you may need to replenish.  Asparagus is delicious roasted or grilled! This asparagus was grown by John Catalano, just down the road from us! 

Curly Kale - I know there are some kale haters out there, but I have to say I love it!  Zuppa Toscana is a family favorite for dinner.  Kale Caesar Salad  Sauteed Kale

Bok Choy -  Here is the perfect recipe that uses, bok choy, romaine, and radish! This is an easy fast way to serve Bok Choy. 

Broccoli Rabe is a bitter green, very similar to mustard greens.  I love broccoli rabe cooked with lots of garlic!  I recommend blanching the rabe in boiling water to take the edge off the bitterness first then sauteing with olive oil and garlic.Here is a link to a great Broccoli Rabe Recipe.


Radish- Here is a post I wrote about my favorite ways to use radishes.

Arugula- Here is a recipe Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinergartte and Quinoa Salad with Arugula

2018 Week 1!

Welcome to CSA season 2018! Thank you for joining. We have high hopes for a great year. If you are new to our CSA, you can rely on this weekly blog post to give you a heads-up what's coming your way, produce cleaning and storage tips, and an assortment of my favorite recipes.

The lineup this week:

Radish- Here is a post I wrote about my favorite ways to use radishes.

If you want your greens to stay fresh and crisp, it is very important to take time to clean and store them well.  Here is a link to specific instructions on how to prep your greens ( bok choy, kale, collards)

Collard Greens- your body will love you for eating these healthy greens.  I really enjoy using collards as a wrap--stuff it with sandwich fixins and roll it up. Yum!  Here is a link to my favorite recipe using collard greens. Here is a link for a more traditional way to eat your collards.
Asparagus - If you are not going to use it that day, you should store asparagus in your refrigerator in a bowl or mug with some water in the bottom.  The asparagus will slowly drink up the water and you may need to replenish.  Asparagus is delicious roasted or grilled! This asparagus was grown by John Catalano, just down the road from us! 


Curly Kale - I know there are some kale haters out there, but I have to say I love it!  Zuppa Toscana is a family favorite for dinner.  Kale Caesar Salad  Sauteed Kale

Bok Choy -  Here is the perfect recipe that uses, bok choy, romaine, and radish! This is an easy fast way to serve Bok Choy. 

Hot House Tomato- Aren't they beauties? While we have grown these gems for a few years now, we don't usually include them in the CSA. This is because one of the joys of CSA is eating what's in season and becoming more in-tune with the real seasons of produce. May is simply not tomato season. July, August and September are the tomato months and, believe me, we will have plenty of tomatoes to share when the time comes. So why are they in your share this week? Consider it a consolation prize for not getting strawberries! (we know, not a direct replacement for berries)

2017 Week 2 - When will it start to feel like spring again?

It was great to see so many of you this week.  You are my people, getting excited about produce! Yes! The farm got 2 inches of rain on Saturday, we are hoping to dry off and warm up this week.

New this week:

Lacinato Kale: aka: Dinosaur Kale or Tuscan Kale.  My favorite way to serve this is this Lacinato Kale Salad by Marin Mama Cooks.  You can also use this kale in a soup or sautéed on the stove.

Swiss Chard: In the world of greens, Swiss chard often gets overshadowed by its popular neighbor kale, but it’s a star in its own right. This relative of the beet is a superb source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron. It makes a colorful and tasty side dish, or a nutritious addition to pasta, soup, quiches, and more. Here is a recipe for Sauteed Swiss Chard, I think adding a fried egg would make an excellent breakfast.

Bok Choy - Last weeks share included the really little delicate baby bok choys.  This week we graduate to the bigger boks.  Here is a link to The Kitchen's 10 ways to Chow Down on Bok Choy

Strawberries and Asparagus are here for another week!

2016 Week 2 - Starring Strawberries

New this week -- Strawberries and Spinach. Yes!

Strawberries are finally here. I think it's safe to assume you don't need any serving suggestions for strawberries. What is your favorite way to eat your berries? Do they even make it home from the farm?

Spinach is loving this cooler weather. This spinach was grown by Michael Catalano in Mannington Township. We try every year to grow our own spinach and we continue to fail miserably. Eric is mildly frustrated by this perpetual failure, yet determined to figure it out someday. Mike Catalano always have the most beautiful spinach fields. Machines harvest most of their crop and its sent off to be packed and frozen. We hand harvested this from the edges of the field where the harvesters won't be able to reach. Throw it in your morning smoothie, or eggs, saute it for dinner or add it to your soup. 

I hate to complain about the weather, but I'm so done with cold, cloudy days. The cold has completely stopped most crops from growing. We're trying to be thankful for the cool weather and see it as an opportunity to catch up on some prep work before the crops command our full attention.

It was so very good to see you all this week.  We're thankful for each of you. Your enthusiasm for fresh local food is so energizing to us. We're glad to have the opportunity to serve this community of conscientious eaters.

Recipes to try:
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Spinach Egg Bake

2016 - Week 1- Let the Games Begin!

Let's get this party started! After a week of cold and rain, I am ready for it to feel and taste like spring! Sunshine! Bring on the sunshine.

We were so so close to having strawberries in the CSA for the first week, but they are just not turning red out there. Sorry. Too cold. Too cloudy. They'll be ready for next week.

Each week here on the blog I introduce the new produce and some of my favorite ways to prepare them.  

If you want your greens to stay fresh and crisp, it is very important to take time to clean and store them well.  Here is a link to specific instructions on how to prep your greens ( romaine, bok choy, arugula, collards)

Romaine- So perfect for salads, BLTs, and to use as lettuce wraps.

Radish- Here is a post I wrote about my favorite ways to use radishes.

Collard Greens- your body will love you for eating these healthy greens.  I really enjoy using collards as a wrap--stuff it with sandwich fixins and roll it up. Yum!  Here is a link to my favorite recipe using collard greens. Here is a link for a more traditional way to eat your collards.

Hot House Tomato- Aren't they beauties? While we have grown these gems for a few years now, we don't usually include them in the CSA. This is because one of the joys of CSA is eating what's in season and becoming more in-tune with the real seasons of produce. May is simply not tomato season. July, August and September are the tomato months and, believe me, we will have plenty of tomatoes to share when the time comes. So why are they in your share this week? Consider it a consolation prize for not getting strawberries! (we know, not a direct replacement for berries)


Arugula- Here is a recipe Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinergartte and Quinoa Salad with Arugula

Asparagus - If you are not going to use it that day, you should store asparagus in your refrigerator in a bowl or mug with some water in the bottom.  The asparagus will slowly drink up the water and you may need to replenish.  Asparagus is delicious roasted or grilled! This asparagus was grown by John Catalano, just down the road from us!


Baby Bok Choy -  Here is the perfect recipe that uses, bok choy, romaine, and radish! This is an easy fast way to serve Bok Choy.  

2015 week 5

Returning from previous weeks:
Kohlrabi
Kirby Pickles
Bok Choy -- It's back!

New this week:
Swiss Chard - Another delicious green! It is so versatile, put it in soups, eggs, or sautée it.  Here is a link to a Coconut curry with Swiss Chard.  Here is a link to a simple sautéed swiss chard recipe.
Snap peas- so delicious eaten raw. Sweet! Or add to a stir fry.
Dill -  perfect combination with our kirby pickles!
Purple top turnips and greens.  Here is a link to a previous post all about turnips and turnips greens.  the recipe all the way at the bottom, turnip souffle -- soooo good!


Saturday was our annual Spring Open House! Good times, good food, good people.  Thank you for coming out, we really enjoyed sharing the farm with you.

Bok Choy Lettuce Wraps

A delightful recipe from a childhood friend of mine and faithful CSA member, Erica McMullen.  Thank you!

This excellent recipe uses bok choy, romaine, AND radishes! SCORE!

Bok Choy Lettuce Wraps
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 lb. ground chicken breast
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 - 1 whole share of bok choy, chopped
1" piece of fresh ginger, grated  (you can use ground ginger if you don't have fresh on hand)
1/4 c soy sauce
2-3 T brown sugar
Romaine leaves

Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground chicken and start to brown. When chicken is nearly done, add pepper, onion and garlic. When chicken is fully cooked and veggies start to soften add bok choy. Once nearly wilted add soy sauce, brown sugar and ginger. Let flavors combine and adjust to your liking with soy sauce, sugar and ginger. Serve on lettuce leaves like tacos and with a side of pickled radishes. I also served brown rice along side for my rice loving kiddos.  

Pickled Radish

1 bunch radish, thinly sliced
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
few peppercorns
garlic

Pack the radishes into a pint sized jar.  In a saucepan bring the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a boil.  Just long enough to dissolve the salt and sugar.  Remove from the heat and add in the peppercorns and garlic.  Pour into the jar with radishes.   And seal with tight fitting lid. Let it cool to room temperature.  You can store in the fridge for up to one month.

2015 Week 2

Thank you for all your warm greetings and happy smiles at pick up last week.  Ya'll are such an encouragement to me.  Also, a big-five to anyone who shared with me what they cooked with their produce!  You rock! I so love hearing how you enjoy your veggies.  

News from the farm

1- It is dry. Really dry.  So thankful for our irrigation system, but we are getting tired of moving sprinkler pipe around everyday.  It takes hours! But we will do it as long as we have to. 

2- College is letting out for summer and that means a big part of our work force is returning to the farm and providing some much needed reinforcements.  About half of our staff in the summer are high school and college-aged kids.

3- The honey bees arrived this week.  The kirby pickles and early cantaloupes are flowering and the bees are ready and willing to do some pollination. We rent 32 hives from Harvey's Honey near Woodstown.

Returning from last week:

Easter Egg Radish

Bok Choy

Romaine

New this week:

Escarole -  I normally think of it as a soup green . . . My absolute favorite soup with escarole. Escarole Meatball Soup

Collard Greens- your body will love you for eating these healthy greens.  I really enjoy using collards as a wrap--stuff it with sandwich fixins and roll it up. Yum!  Here is a link for a more traditional way to eat your collards.

And last but certainly not least ---- the long awaited strawberries!

Strawberries are very perishable.   This is not a problem in my home,  they disappear very quickly.   If you want to keep them more than a couple of days they should be kept in the refrigerator. 

2015 Week 1

It's Opening Week of the 2015 CSA season and we are rockin' and rollin'. Woohoo! The weather is warm and things are growing! After a long, cold winter, greens are looking so good. While we were all hoping the strawberries would be ready for week 1, alas they are not. Soooo close! We are hoping for a good 2-3 weeks of harvest coming up.

***The most important thing when bringing fresh greens home from the farm is to take time to clean and store them well.  Here is a link to specific instructions on how to prep your greens (romaine, bok choy, spinach)
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So each week here on the blog I try to introduce the new veggies and some of my favorite ways to prepare them.  Since it is week 1 and every thing is new, its a long blog post.

Romaine- I am so excited for some fresh romaine.  Salads-BLTs-Lettuce Wraps!

Baby Bok Choy -  This is still my absolute favorite way to serve Bok Choy.  But I also pinned some new recipes to try. Check them out here.

Hot House Tomato- Aren't they beauties! While we have grown these gems for a few years now, we've never given them out as part of the CSA. This is because one of the joys of CSA is eating what's in season and becoming more in-tune with the real seasons of produce. May is simply not tomato season. July, August and September are the tomato months and, believe me, we will have plenty of tomatoes to share when the time comes. So why are they in your share this week? Consider it a consolation prize for not getting strawberries! (we know, not a direct replacement for berries)

Easter Egg Radish - Click here for some ideas of what to do with radishes.

Broccoli Rabe is a bitter green, very similar to mustard greens.  I love broccoli rabe cooked with lots of garlic!  I recommend blanching the rabe in boiling water to take the edge off the bitterness first then sautéing with olive oil and garlic.  Here is a recipe "Broccoli Rabe with Pasta and Sun Dried Tomatoes"

Asparagus - If you are not going to use it that day, you should store asparagus in your refrigerator in a bowl or mug with some water in the bottom.  The asparagus will slowly drink up the water and you may need to replenish.  Asparagus is delicious roasted or grilled! This asparagus was grown by John Catalano, just down the road from us!

Spinach- This spinach was grown by Michael Catalano in Mannington Township. They always have the most beautiful spinach fields. Most of their crop is harvested by machines and sent off to be packed and frozen. We were able to hand harvest this from the edges of the field where the harvesters won't be able to get. Throw it in your morning smoothie, or eggs, saute it for dinner or add it to your soup. 

Bok Choy. . . It's delicicous!

Many of you were asking what to do with your Bok Choy.  Here is my favorite way to prepare it.  **Bonus it is quick and easy.

This is not an exact recipe, sorry to my peeps who like specific instructions.

To prep the bok choy cut the stalks from the leaves.  (The stalks take longer to cook).  Chop the stalks into large bite sized pieces.  Then chop the leaves into 1 inch pieces.  I also added some sliced red onion, but you could use sweet onion or green onions too.

Heat olive oil in saute pan on high.  Make sure it is good and hot then add the stalks and onion and saute for 1-2 minutes.  Then add in the leaves.  Like spinach, the leaves will wilt.  Then I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a couple drops of toasted sesame oil and a few splashes of soy sauce.  Stir and cook just until greens have wilted.  It will only take1-2 more minutes.  YUM!

Word to the wise: I overdid it a little on the soy sauce,  that stuff is so potent, it only takes a little.

Enjoy!

2013 week 1

Opening CSA Day here at the farm was a great success.

Half share

Here is some important information to keep your produce nice if you can't use it right away.

Strawberries. . .are very perishable.   This is not a problem in my home,  they disappear very quickly.   If you want to keep them more than a couple of days they should be kept in the refrigerator. They might last four or five days in the fridge.

Asparagus. . .when you bring asparagus home and you know you are not going to use it that day you should store it in your refrigerator in a bowl or mug with some water in the bottom.  The asparagus will slowly drink up the water.  Before cooking your asparagus it needs to be rinsed, the best way I have  found is to fill up a pitcher of water and put the asparagus in with the tips down. This way all the sand will sink to the bottom.  I follow the recipe on the tag to roast my asparagus.

Romaine and Pac Choi and any other greens that come from the CSA are SANDY!  They need to be thoroughly washed.  

--To wash I fill up a clean sink or big bowl with cold water and put the leaves in and gently swish.  --Then pat the leaves dry or dry them in your handy dandy salad spinner.  

--Next, wrap the lettuce leaves in some paper towel and store in a gallon size ziploc bag or other large container and store in the refrigerator.  

If you carefully wash, dry, and store your greens they will easily last the whole week, but if you just throw the whole head in the fridge crisper the lettuce will wilt and not be crisp.

Many of you were asking what to do with your Pac Choi.  Here is my favorite way to prepare it.  **Bonus it is quick and easy.

This is not an exact recipe, sorry to my peeps who like specific instructions.

To prep the bok choy cut the stalks from the leaves.  (The stalks take longer to cook).  Chop the stalks into large bite sized pieces.  Then chop the leaves into 1 inch pieces.  I also added some sliced red onion, but you could use sweet onion or green onions too.

Heat olive oil in saute pan on high.  Make sure it is good and hot then add the stalks and onion and saute for 1-2 minutes.  Then add in the leaves.  Like spinach, the leaves will wilt.  Then I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a couple drops of toasted sesame oil and a few splashes of soy sauce.  Stir and cook just until greens have wilted.  It will only take1-2 more minutes.  YUM!

Word to the wise: I overdid it a little on the soy sauce,  that stuff is so potent, it only takes a little.

Enjoy!