Weekly Farm Notes :: January 20th, 2016

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Hello,

The bad weather forecasted for tomorrow has delayed the start of our Deep Winter CSA until this Saturday. We will be at the Brainerd Market from 11am to noon so please let us know if that doesn’t work and we can find an alternate plan.

We aren’t sure yet if we will make it to the market tomorrow to sell other produce but wanted to send out the list below just in case. Let’s all cross our fingers that it isn’t as bad as predicted!

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January 20th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market {M} or in the CSA share {CSA}:

  • Tender Collards {CSA}: if you don’t have time or energy to eat your greens fresh, check out this great idea for Super Green Veggie Powder! You dehydrate your greens along with onions, bell peppers, celery and parsley (or whatever you have on hand) and then process it into a powder. Use on eggs, with potatoes or add to a green smoothie!
  • Rainbow & Ford Hook Swiss Chard {CSA}: Swiss Chard Pancakes? I support anything in pancake form (especially when you make the batter in a blender!).
  • Red Russian & Toscano Kale {M/CSA}: I think kale plus this lovely Ginger Carrot Dressing would make an amazing salad. Bonus – you might be able to find fresh turmeric at market so you can swap it for the dried version.
  • Spigarello Broccoli Rabe {CSA}: the dark, cold days of winter lead me to bake more often than usual, and this Savory Quick Bread recipe is one I come back to again and again. It is fairly basic – flour, eggs, olive oil and yogurt – flavored with broccoli rabe and sun-dried tomatoes. Try our version or make your own!
  • Green Mild Mustard Greens {CSA}: prepare these Quick Pickled Mustard Greens to serve with any number of other items. This would be a great addition to rice and fried eggs!
  • Large Leaf Spicy Arugula {M}: my mother-in-law raves about this Farro Salad recipe, and for good reason. It sounds delicious! Ps – make sure to pick up some mint for the salad too!
  • Wasabi Arugula {M}: this White Bean, Potato and Arugula Soup sounds like a lovely warming soup to serve during these cold winter days. You can use your rosemary in this recipe too!
  • Mint & Peppermint {M}: use this in the farro salad mentioned above or simply freeze the mint leaves in an ice cube tray covered with water (maybe to use when its warm again!).
  • Rosemary {CSA}: use this in the white bean soup mentioned above or simply steep rosemary and lemon peel in white distilled vinegar for a fragrant household cleaner!

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? She discusses the new dietary guidelines and gives a quick recipe for tomato sauce (no reason to buy the stuff in jars when it’s this simple to make at home!).

Weekly Farm Notes :: Dec 16th, 2015

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Hello!

As most of you know the “Falling into Greens” session is over but you can still get a single share each week between now and when the Deep Winter session begins mid-January. Starting tomorrow the 16th will be our first offering. The share will be $30 and this week will contain the items below. Check out our Recipes tab for some meal ideas!

  • Red Russian and Toscano Kale
  • Tender Collards
  • Pak Choi
  • Mustard Greens
  • Jar of our homemade sauerkraut. 

Harvesting will begin today and end in the morning so if you are interested please reply to this email so we can set  aside a share for you.

We also want you to know that we are making available to our CSA shareholders and the community the Kraut Source, Fermentation Made Simple. Kraut Source is a mason jar kitchenware for making fermented foods like sauerkraut, natural pickles, kimchi, kefir and more. Some of you already are using one and we think it is so useful we want to make it available to as many as possible. The MSRP is $30 + shipping but we are making it available until the end of the year for $26.

The startup company out of California is doing well and they have a lot of simple recipes with Videos to help with the process.   Fermenting food and its health benefits are getting a lot of attention these days and there is a lot of information out there to find out more.  We have a few extra right now so if you would like one let us know and we will bring it to market either Main Street or Brainerd. We think that either or both of these options would be a smart gift idea.  If you would like to buy a share or two for a loved one let us know and we will work out a gift certificate that can be given.

See you at market tomorrow!

Weekly Farm Notes :: Dec 9th, 2015

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Hello!

The recent fall CSA session ended last week (unless you received an extension email from Mark & Gina). We will still have plenty of goodies at market, though! And don’t forget, if you have already signed up for a Winter or Spring CSA session, you get 10% off anything else you purchase!

See you at market tomorrow!

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December 9th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: check out the markets latest recipe for Sicilian Greens with Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins. Try a different combination of greens, nuts and dried fruit – like Swiss chard, almonds and apricots or kale, pecans and cherries. Experiment and have fun!
  • Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: check out the easy Egg Gratin with Swiss Chard and Cherry Tomatoes recipe below. I have also made it with broccoli rabe and spicy peppers so play around with the ingredients and make it using whatever you have on hand.
  • Siberian, Red Russian & Toscano Kale {M/CSA}: check out our most recent post for Kohlrabi Greens Furikake – it would be just as good with kale!
  • Mild Mustard Greens {M/CSA}: have you checked out our Indian Mustard Green Sauce with Potatoes recipe yet? It is great comfort food for chilly nights!
  • Pak Choi {M/CSA}: I developed this Quick Kimchi recipe for the market using Napa cabbage. However, I think you could use pak choi and get great results too! While this version won’t last quite as long as the traditional, fermented style, I don’t think it would stick around in your refrigerator long enough anyways!
  • Awesome Asian Salad Mix {M/CSA}: this mix includes a variety of 5 greens but does not lettuce, making it great raw or sauteed. I think this Udon with Tofu and Asian Greens soup looks like a great way to use these greens.
  • Red & Green Baby Butterhead Lettuce {CSA}: now THIS is what salads should look like! I, too, hate wimpy salads and think they need lots of variety in flavor and texture to satisfy.
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M}: I love using arugula in veggie wraps. They are really simple and can be varied in so many ways. All you need are 10″ or larger tortillas, hummus or other spread, and your favorite fixings – I usually use olives, feta, sauteed or roasted veggies, and arugula or other fresh greens. This is fast food you want to eat!
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: I think these greens would be great in our Quinoa & Kale Bites recipe!
  • Wasabi Arugula {M}: wasabi arugula has an extra kick! Here is a list of recipes that work well with spicy arugula.
  • Cilantro {M}: I don’t own a juicer but I am sure some of you do out there. Here is a great Lesson on Juicing post from one of my favorite bloggers. She juiced cilantro with some serrano chiles tossed in and suggests mixing it with yogurt and serving with tomato soup – yum!

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Recipe :: Egg Gratin with Swiss Chard & Cherry Tomatoes

This recipe is from The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen – it’s an everyday go-to cookbook for me. It serves 4-6.

Recipe notes: 1) I used Parmesan in place of Manchego and also cut the amount in half and I still think it turned out great; 2) I also used about 8 spicy pickled peppers in place of the tomatoes – it both saved time and added an extra kick to the dish; 3) I used an 8 x 8 glass baking dish and it worked well.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for dish
  • 2-1/2 ounces Manchego cheese, grated (1-1/4 cups)
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 ounces Swiss chard, stemmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1-1/4 cups half-and-half
  • 4 large eggs

Directions:

  • Adjust 1 oven rack to middle position and second rack 6 inches from broiler element. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of broiler-safe 2 quart gratin dish with butter and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Manchego evenly over bottom and sides of dish. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until tomatoes begin to break down and release their liquid, 3-5 minutes; transfer tomatoes to prepared dish.
  • Wipe out now empty skillet with paper towels and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in chard and increase heat to medium-high. Cover and cook until chard is wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Transfer chard to gratin dish and spread evenly over tomatoes.
  • Whisk cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in medium bowl. Whisk in half-and-half, eggs, and 3/4 cup Manchego until thoroughly combined. Pour egg mixture over tomatoes and greens. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Manchego. Bake gratin on middle rack until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes, rotating dish halfway through baking. Remove gratin from oven.
  • Heat broiler. Broil gratin on top rack until cheese is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let gratin cool until custard has set up, about 5 minutes. Serve.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? I love the sound of this avocado pasta and plan on trying it ASAP!

Weekly Farm Notes :: Dec 2nd, 2015

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Hello!

This is the last week of our “Falling into Greens” CSA session. We are offering three separate pickups this week – 1st at market tomorrow, 2nd at Brainard Market on Saturday and 3rd on Main Street on Saturday. Please make sure you have prearranged your pickup with Mark & Gina.

In case you missed it, we have a new preservation post this week on Stem Jam. We get a lot of greens and a lot of stems! Stash them away in the freezer and make this jam at the end of the week.

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December 2nd Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: I have been interested in making West African Peanut Soup for a while, but it is definitely on my list now that I found a recipe with collard greens added in!
  • Rainbow Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: although the cold and rain makes us crave cooked, hearty food, don’t neglect getting a daily dose of raw greens! This article will give you lot of tips to make a Swiss chard smoothie taste great.
  • Red Russian & Toscano Kale {M/CSA}: noodles of any kind make for quick weeknight meals. Check out this Garlic Soba Noodles recipe and toss in any number of the greens suggested.
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M/CSA}: the spiciness of these greens is a great counterpoint to richer dishes. Add some to egg salad, pizza or mac’n’cheese!
  • Red & Green Mild Mustard {CSA}: check out our new Indian Inspired Green Sauce with Potatoes for a tasty way to use your mustard greens!
  • Beets {CSA}: have you tried beet kvass yet? I tried it for the first time a month ago and loved the results! I fermented mine a few days longer than is recommended in the link above so mine was probably a bit funkier. I used most of the juice and beets in smoothies but the juice is great straight, mixed with syrups or sparkling water or in a cocktail.
  • Daikon Radish {CSA}: although this Sweet Pickled Daikon Radish recipe was designed for canning, just store in the refrigerator to keep it easy.
  • Kohlrabi {CSA}: our Kohlrabi Hash Browns recipe is great for a quick weeknight meal or a lazy Sunday brunch.
  • Green Butterhead & Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed Lettuce {CSA}: looking for some salad inspiration? Take a look at The Essential Elements to a Satisfying Salad post and make a salad you’ll love.
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: check out our new Indian Inspired Green Sauce with Potatoes for a tasty way to use your mustard greens!
  • Jerusalem Artichokes {M}: have you tried these fried yet? I have made “chips” where they were thinly sliced and then fried but I haven’t tried them battered and fried. This recipe sounds great if you want to try your hand at it!
  • Awesome Asian Salad Mix {M}: sometimes, you just need to hard boil or fry and egg and call it dinner. Spice that idea up a bit and make this Mixed Green Salad with Egg, Avocado and Creamy Lemon-Dill Dressing.
  • Cilantro {M}: we all need quick, flavorful, make-ahead sauces that taste great on just about anything. Add this vegan Spicy Cilantro Sauce recipe to the list.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? This week, she explores the wonders of making a pan sauce…if you haven’t made one before, you need this information!

Indian Mustard Green Sauce with Potatoes

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Hello!

Here is a tasty Indian inspired sauce that can be easily made ahead and frozen (prepare the potatoes before serving as they would not freeze well). Traditional sag aloo is based on spinach but I like the added complexity from mixing kale and mustard greens together. Experiment with a different mix of greens and let us know how it turns out.

This sauce is not a something that can be quickly thrown together – it will take a bit to make but well worth it in the end. Plus, it’s a great way to use a lot of greens at once! If you want to shorten the recipe a bit, you can use your favorite pre-ground Indian spice mix – I think equal amounts of curry powder and garam masala would work well. You could also use another vegetable in place of the potatoes – thaw out frozen cauliflower for an easy substitution.

Saag Aloo (Spinach Sauce with Potatoes)
serves 4

Recipe notes: 1) you can substitute waxy potatoes like Red Bliss but don’t use starchy potatoes such as Russets as they tend to fall apart and not hold their shape, 2) you can add more jalapeno depending on your desired spice level – although it is impossible to tell how much heat any one chile will give without tasting it (as it depends on the growing conditions), 1/2 jalapeno probably won’t give much noticeable heat.

  • Ingredients:
    • 4 medium (1-1/3 lb) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled if desired, and cut into 1″ cubes
    • 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • Kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • Seeds from 3 cardamom pods, about 1/4 teaspoon
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 medium sweet onion, peeled and cut into a small dice
    • 1/2 large jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed, minced (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
    • 3-4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
    • 10 ounces kale (about 1 large bunch), washed and roughly chopped
    • 10 ounces mustard greens (about 1 large bunch), washed and roughly chopped
    • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained and chopped
    • Juice of one fresh lime
    • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
    • 1/2 cup roasted cashews, chopped
    • Rice and/or naan to serve
  • Directions:
    • Place potatoes in a microwave safe bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, remove plastic wrap away from your face to avoid the steam, and test for doneness. Cover and cook for a few minutes longer if they aren’t cooked all the way through. Alternatively, you can steam the potatoes in a steamer basket set over simmering water (should take about 5 minutes to cook through). Set aside.
    • Grind the cumin and cardamom seeds using a mortal and pestle or a spice grinder. Combine with the remaining spices and set aside.
    • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the spice mixture. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onion and jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 4-5 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the greens in 2 or 3 batches, if necessary, until they have wilted down and start to release moisture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all of the moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and transfer 1/2 of the spinach mixture to a blender or small food processor. Pulse until mostly smooth, about 5 1-second pulses. Return the puree to the skillet with the remaining greens and stir to combine. Add the tomato, lime juice and heavy cream, if using, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Stir in the potatoes. Serve over rice and top with chopped cashews.

 

Weekly Farm Notes :: Nov 18th, 2015

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Hello!

There are two important events coming up of note: first, Thanksgiving of course, but also the “Fall into Greens” CSA session is coming to an end in just a few short weeks. Start thinking about preserving part or all of your weekly share to hold you over before the “Deep Winter” session starts in January. We are providing information below to help you prepare for both!

For those who use Facebook and Instagram, we are asking that you use #tanthillfarm whenever you post something about the farm or your weekly CSA share. There are lots of us in the community but I am guessing we aren’t all connected on social media. This will give us an easy way to connect and see what others are doing each week with their produce. We will also tag any pictures of the farm so you can see what it takes to get your produce from the field to your table.

A few “Deep Winter” and “Walking to Spring” CSA shares are still available. Don’t miss out on powerhouse greens to get you through the dark and cold months ahead! Here is the link to our CSA information to find out more.

See you at market!

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November 18th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Kale Mix {M/CSA}: this mix includes Toscano, Siberian & Red Ruffled varieties. For a fresh recipe, this seasonal Balsamic Butternut Kale Panzanella salad looks like a great way to incorporate fresh greens in a festive way! If you want to preserve your bounty, freezing is my favorite way to store kale for future use. It is fast and great at retaining the nutrient value. Check out this guide to make little kale bundles that can be used in various ways down the road.
  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: I have never included Mac n’ Cheese in my Thanksgiving celebration but I know a lot of people who do. Why not toss in some of your collards into the dish this year, similar to this recipe? You can always prepare and freeze your greens this week to make the process easier.
  • Rainbow Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: don’t forget about your dehydrator when trying to find ways to preserve greens. While I don’t like the way raw greens turn out when dehydrated, I really enjoy those that are tossed with oil and spices. Check out our Dehydrated Greens post that includes a recipe for Swiss chard.
  • Mild Red Dragon Tongue & Green Amara Mustard Greens {CSA}: I always fall back on making sauces to preserve fresh ingredients. I especially loves sauces like this one because it can be transformed down the road. You could add cheese and toasted nuts and toss it with pasta or use it as a spread on a sandwich.
  • Cabbage {CSA}: I always think of sauerkraut when trying to find ways to preserve cabbage, but sometimes you need to spice things up. Our Curtido (Salvadorian Sauerkraut) recipe includes carrots, jalapenos and dried spices for a nice twist on an old classic.
  • Spigarello Broccoli Rabe Leaves {CSA}: everything gets turned into a pesto these days, for good reason. They are relatively easy to make, taste great and freeze well. Prepare the sauce for this Broccoli Rabe Walnut Pesto now and freeze to enjoy later!
  • Lettuce {CSA}: I love tahini based salad dressing for the flavor and richness it provides. Just so happens, the market published this Lemon-Tahini Dressing this week. Let’s all give it a try.
  • Tatsoi {CSA}: this green is similar to spinach but with more character. That’s why it works great in this Pasta with Tatsoi and Gingered Butter Sauce recipe.
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M}: I love mixing fresh and cooked items together in a salad. I think this Arugula, Dried Cherry and Wild Rice Salad would make a great addition to Thanksgiving!
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: really, anything with a fried egg and avocado is going to be great, but this egg sandwich looks pretty legit.

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Thanksgiving Prep

Here are the items that will possibly be in your CSA share next week. We hope this helps you plan your dinner!

  • Sunchokes / Jerusalem Artichokes: here is a list of possible sunchoke recipes. I think the sunchoke and potato gratin would be a great Thanksgiving side dish!
  • Carrots: I can imagine really enjoying this Roasted Carrot Turmeric Soup the day or two after Thanksgiving when a light meal is in order.
  • Awesome Asian Mix: I noticed that Alexzanna Farms has Japanese persimmons this week. I think it is worth asking if they will be available next week too. Substitute the chicories with our Asian mix and I think this salad would be lovely for Thanksgiving!
  • Garlic: if you need to have a dairy-free “creamy” option for Thanksgiving, I thought this Roasted Garlic Ricotta looked like a great option (anything is good when mixed with roasted garlic).
  • Spicy Arugula (same as suggested above): I love mixing fresh and cooked items together in a salad. I think this Arugula, Dried Cherry and Wild Rice Salad would make a great addition to Thanksgiving!
  • Pak Choi: this Glazed Shiitakes with Bok Choy recipe is a similar take to many other pak choi recipes out there but I love the focus on mushrooms. It almost reminds me of a fresher version of green bean casserole!
  • Lettuce: I love shaved fennel in salad and it just so happens that Crabtree Farm has some this week! Ask to see if it will be around next week and add it to your Thanksgiving meal.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? I cannot wait to experience a Scenic City Supper Club dinner myself someday!

 

Weekly Farm Notes :: Oct 28th, 2015

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Hello!

“Deep Winter” and “Walking to Spring” CSA shares are still available. Don’t miss out on powerhouse greens to get you through the dark and cold months ahead! Here is the link to our CSA information to find out more.

Are you interested in fermenting? We love using this preservation technique, and given we will have lots of fermentable foods soon (cabbage!), we have started collecting our favorite sources and recipes on Pinterest. Do you have any favorite sites or recipes we should add?

Also, we are in the process of adding nutritional information to the Produce Information tab. Let us know what else we can add to make this useful for you!

See you at market!

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October 28th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Mini Cabbage {CSA}: simply roast these mini cabbages just like you would Brussels sprouts for a delicious side dish you can enjoy with any meal.
  • Tatsoi {CSA}: you can use this Asian green just like spinach – so eat it raw or quickly saute it. For a quick meal, try this suggestion of adding it on top of egg and avocado toast. Yum!
  • Bitter Melon {CSA}: have you tried bitter melon before? It is completely new to us but we are excited to try it! This link gives details on how to prepare it and this link provides information and recipe ideas from different parts of the world. Also, did you realize the bitter melon is medicinal? From lowering blood sugar to providing an excellent source of folates, this edible pod is worth adding to your diet!
  • Red Leaf Lettuce {M/CSA}: these large leaves are perfect for vegetarian lettuce wraps! Try replacing the corn with our salad turnips for a truly seasonal meal.
  • Ford Hook Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: these rainy, cool days have me craving soup. Give our Barley and Lentil with Swiss Chard recipe a try!
  • Awesome Asian Lettuce Mix {M/CSA}: it’s almost citrus season so I am thinking about pairing citrus with just about everything. I think this recipe with mandarins, avocado, almonds and an Asian dressing would be perfect with these greens!
  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: these tender collards are perfect for a quick saute. I love this combination with sesame seeds, sesame oil and mirin for an Asian twist on a Southern classic.
  • Red Russian Kale {M/CSA}: have you tried The Best Kale Salad yet? This week might be the perfect time to try it because you can use the cabbage from your CSA share as well.
  • Scarlet Salad Turnips {M}: shave some of these over a salad or include in the lettuce wraps mentioned above. You can also use these in our Roasted Radish and Salad Turnips with Barley Salad recipe!
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M}: I love mixing arugula with milder salad greens for a nice balance of flavor. Try our Sweetened Dressing for Spicy Greens recipe and enjoy the boldness of this delicious green!
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: everything gets turned into pesto these days but here is a fresh take. It uses sprouted nuts and eliminates cheese so it’s great for those of us who are dairy-free!
  • Baby Romaine Lettuce {M}: you can’t say romaine without thinking about Caesar salad. If you want to enjoy this classic without feeling guilty, try this tofu based dressing!

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? It’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving! Get your local turkey now!

 

Weekly Farm Notes :: Oct 21st, 2015

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Hello!

“Deep Winter” and “Walking to Spring” CSA shares are still available. Don’t miss out on powerhouse greens to get you through the dark and cold months ahead! Here is the link to our CSA information to find out more.

Also, we are in the process of adding nutritional information to the Produce Information tab. Let us know what else we can add to make this useful for you!

A note on the Napa cabbage: when you farm without the use of harmful pesticides, sometimes you have to deal with what Mother Nature gives you. Right now, we are dealing with some worms in the cabbage but there is a simple way to get rid of them. Chop the cabbage roughly and soak in a large bowl (or sink full) of water that has been mixed with 1/4 cup of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly then drain and use as desired.

See you at market!

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October 21st Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Napa Cabbage {CSA}: check out my Quick Kimchi recipe on the Main Street Farmers Market blog this week!
  • Carrots {CSA}: simple roasted carrots are a favorite of mine. I love Cook’s Illustrated recipe and have used it over and over again. It is included below so you can give it a try as well.
  • Rainbow Swiss Chard {CSA}: learn about the blood sugar control properties and more of this tasty green here!
  • Awesome Asian Lettuce Mix {M/CSA}: I have been on a buddha bowl kick this week. I think these Asian greens would be a great base for a recipe like this one.
  • Pak Choi {M/CSA}: for a super simple and tasty meal, give our Triple Sesame Noodles with Pak Choi recipe a try!
  • Spicy Red Mustard Greens {M/CSA}: check out this Quick Pickled Mustard Green recipe – I could find lots of ways to use greens preserved this way!
  • Siberian Kale {M/CSA}: Wheelers Orchard is selling “ugly” apples this week, which are perfect for processing (homemade applesauce, anyone?!). I was actually thinking of picking some up, cooking it down with kale, and making a fruit and vegetable leather (think homemade fruit roll-ups). We would love to hear if you have any experience in this area!
  • Tender Collards {M}: this recipe for Breakfast Tacos with Eggs, Onions and Collard Greens has me dreaming of weekend brunch.
  • Bold & Peppery Arugula {M/CSA}: these greens have a bite this week but the more bitter, the better, I say! Check out this article on why bitter greens are good for your health. This article provides lots of great ideas to tame the flavor. My favorite way to enjoy bitter greens is in a salad with a sweetened dressing.
  • Salad Turnips {M}: I haven’t tried this yet, but our salad turnips are mild enough that I think they would be great in our newest recipe for Kohlrabi Hash Browns. Swap the kohlrabi for salad turnips and you have a meal in minutes!
  • Mint {M}: if you love Indian food as much as I do, then I suggest whipping up a batch of Cilantro-Mint Chutney to serve along side your favorite dishes. This sauce would freeze well, too!
  • Lemon Balm {M}: shrubs, which are sweetened vinegar mixtures, typically use fruit for flavoring. I swapped the fruit for lemon balm in this recipe and it was delicious!
  • Eggs {M}: pick up collard greens too and make this Breakfast Tacos with Eggs, Onions and Collard Greens recipe!

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Roasted Carrots

As noted above, this recipe is from Cooks Illustrated. It serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds carrot, peeled, halved crosswise, and cut lengthwise if needed to create even pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Table salt and ground black pepper

Directions:

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. In large bowl, combine carrots with butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Transfer carrots to foil- or parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and spread in single layer.
  • Cover baking sheet tightly with foil and cook for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook, stirring twice, until carrots are well browned and tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to serving platter, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? If you cook, even just casually, you should know about mirepoix – Alice breaks it down for you.

 

Weekly Farm Notes :: Oct 14th, 2015

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Hello!

We had a few more CSA shares open up this week so please pass this onto anyone who is looking for nutritious, delicious food! Here is the link to our CSA information.

See you at market!

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October 14th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Awesome Asian Lettuce Mix {CSA/M}: check out this Turmeric Tahini Dressing – I think it would be great on these greens!
  • Daikon Radishes and Greens {CSA/M}: did you know that a 7″ long daikon radish has more Vitamin C than a small orange?! There are 74mg of Vitamin C in a daikon compared to 51mg in an orange.
  • Pak Choi {CSA/M}: have you tried our Raw Spicy Pak Choi Salad yet? Let us know what you think!
  • Napa Chinese Cabbage {CSA/M}: here is a link with lots of ideas of how to use your cabbage! I am definitely planning to make the quick kimchi (with the addition of daikon radishes) that is mentioned in this post.
  • Spicy Mustard Greens {CSA/M}: I love adding mustard greens to curried dishes (think chickpeas) or red lentils. The flavor really stands up well to intensely spiced dishes.
  • Kohlrabi {CSA}: I made these kohlrabi fries last season and loved them! It’s a fun, new way to enjoy kohlrabi.
  • Mild Mustard Greens {M}: these greens are mild enough to eat raw. Why not add some to your next salad?
  • Kale {CSA/M}: pick up some potatoes and eggs and make this easy, weeknight soup!
  • Tender Collards {M}: our Collard Green & Pecan Pesto recipe is one of my favorite pesto recipes. It can be frozen and is a great way to preserve your greens.
  • Arugula {M}: these greens are one of the best vegetable sources of Vitamin K, providing a boost for bone and brain health.
  • Salad Turnips {M}: these turnips are great raw but if you need a change of pace, try our Roasted Radish & Turnips with Barley Salad.
  • Red Leaf Lettuce {M}: check out our Essential Elements of a Satisfying Salad post and create a salad without a recipe.
  • Eggs {M}: my new go-to weeknight recipe is brown rice, a fried egg and vegetables (any of our veggies would be a great!) topped with a little soy sauce. Pick up some of our organic eggs and have a meal ready in minutes!

Weekly Farm Notes :: Sep 30th, 2015

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Hello!

Just to rehash from last week, we have new information on the website:

  • If you can’t remember what is what after you get home, check out our produce pictures and detailed information tab for pictures of each individual item in your CSA basket. We are still working to update this information so check back each week.
  • We added a tab that will allow you to easily search our recipes. Wondering what you can do with your greens? Check out this tab for constantly updated ideas!

See you at market!

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September 30th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Awesome Asian Mix {CSA}: wow, check out this mix – you get Yukina Savoy, Tokyo Bekana, Ruby Streaks, Red Komatsuna, and Suehihung Mustard! You can either eat it raw in a salad or saute it.
  • Broccoli Rabe {CSA}: I found a recipe for sauteed broccoli rabe, blue cheese and bacon pizzas that looked really interesting. Swap out the bacon for mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
  • Hakurei and Red Scarlet Salad Turnips {M/CSA}: why not combine the turnips AND the greens in the next salad you make? Here is a recipe for a turnip green salad with a sweeter dressing to help balance any spiciness or bitterness from the greens (check out our salad post for lots of great salad making tips!).
  • Radishes and Greens {M/CSA}: wondering what to do with all those lovely radish greens? Make a pesto of course!
  • Toscano and Siberian Kale {M/CSA}: this is one of my all time favorite fast foods. Try it with different greens and even different types of grains.
  • Pak Choi {M/CSA}: to prepare pak choi, separate the greens from the stems, slice and wash. I suggest sauteing the stems over medium-high heat for a couple minutes on one side or until browned. Flip and allow the other side to cook for a minute before adding the greens. They will cook very fast so just flip them around for a minute and serve. I served mine with sesame noodles – look for that recipe soon!
  • Spicy Mustard Greens {M/CSA}: I am planning to saute these greens and add them to a homemade hummus recipe. I will share the recipe with you if it turns out well!
  • Collard Greens {M}: there are lots of recipes for collard green and white bean soup so it must be good! Here is one such post but I bet you can make it or something similar by following our soup making tips.
  • Summerfest Komatsuna {M}: these greens work great in smoothies given their mild flavor profile. Try it in your favorite smoothie recipe and let us know what you think!
  • Daikon Radish and Greens {M}: did you know daikon radishes are one of the main ingredients to kimchi? If you don’t have the time or experience to start a fermentation, why not try quick pickling them? Follow our Quick Pickled Okra post and just swap out okra for daikon.