Author: Bryan Housel

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – November 11, 2024

Hello All!  We received two-tenths of an inch of rain on Sunday night. It is not nearly what we needed, but still a help to the rye cover crop we have been planting. We are preparing for two very cold nights this week- mid-twenties for Tuesday and Wednesday. We are harvesting what we can and double covering as much as possible. This degree of cold can damage even the hardier crops such as broccoli and kale. We are doing as much as we can to preserve crops for the final weeks of the season. We are very heavy on the brassicas this week – with cauliflower and broccoli for all and Brussel’s sprouts as well, for most groups. (more…)

Winter Squash

Winter Squash

Winter squash is really a misnomer, as these delicious treats are grown in the summer. They are edible well into the winter, however, thanks to their ability to last for months in storage.  First, be sure to check for any soft spots. If there are any, cook that squash right away. Soft spots can easily be cut out and the rest of the squash is usually fine. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – November 4, 2024

Hey Folks, It’s November! Can you believe it? Certainly not by the balmy temperatures, perhaps by the fact that it is dark at 6 PM. Still no rain and not much in sight. Dustbowl days continue… Nevertheless, we have a fabulous share for you this week. This may sound a bit immodest, but I think that you will agree. We are working hard for you! (more…)

Rutabagas

Rutabagas

Rutabagas are only called rutabagas in the U.S. Throughout the rest of the world, they’re known as swedes. This ordinary root vegetable is thought to have originated in Bohemia in the 17th century as a hybrid between the turnip and wild cabbage.

Members of the cabbage family, rutabagas are often confused with turnips, although there are noticeable differences. Rutabagas are larger, part white and part purple, with creamy orange flesh and ribs near the stem, and with a nutty, sweet flavor when roasted. Meanwhile, turnips are white with a purple-red top and a peppery taste. (more…)

Bok Choy

Bok Choy

Bok Choy is technically a Chinese cabbage. But until you cook with bok choy, you cannot appreciate how special it is. It has a mellow taste compared to some of the other asian greens such as tatsoi. (more…)

Maple Roasted Honeynut Squash

Maple Roasted Honeynut Squash

A tinier version of butternut squash, honeynut is slightly sweeter and has a thinner edible skin.  Here’s a recipe for roast honeynut squash, found on Olivia Adriance’s food blog. You can serve alongside a roasted protein for a simple but totally satisfying weeknight meal. Or give it a try for Thanksgiving and see what your family and friends have to say about this mini gourd.  Serves 6 as sides. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – October 28, 2024

Hi Everyone, Happy Halloween! Does anyone remember the year that it snowed on Halloween? Well, you won’t have to worry about that, this year – it seems we will be hitting eighty degrees on Thursday! I was planning on not mentioning the weather this writing, but I just couldn’t do it. It seems that the general public is beginning to realize just how dry it has been – I heard a DJ on the radio mention that there has been no significant precipitation in October. He still insisted that it was beautiful weather, but that maybe we could use some rain. Forty percent chance on Friday, fingers crossed. (more…)

Parsnips

Parsnips

The parsnip is a root vegetable related to the carrot, but white or cream colored and sweeter. Up until the potato arrived from the New World, its place in dishes was occupied by the parsnip and other root vegetables such as the turnip. (more…)