Author: Bryan Housel

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

This recipe submitted by a CSA member comes highly recommended!  From Food & Wine blog, this casserole is made with chopped fresh zucchini that’s been sautéed with onion, then mixed with farmer cheese, a fresh form of cottage cheese you can find at some supermarkets.  Serves 8. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 1, 2024

Hello everyone! We made it through the first heat wave and received about an inch and a half of rain since my last update. The precipitation came from two passing storms, the second of which dropped an inch in less than an hour. This is not ideal, because much of the water runs off and does not have a chance to soak in, but we take what we can get. (more…)

Summer Squash

Summer Squash

Welcome to Summer Squash season!  As you may have noticed already, summer squash appears in a variety of shapes and colors, the most prevalent being the well-known green zucchini, the straight or crooked necked yellow squash, and the round, flat, often scalloped edge, patty pan squash.  All these varieties are tender, warm-season vegetables that differ from their fall and winter cousins in that they are selected to be harvested while still immature.  Thus, the entire vegetable, rind, flesh, and seeds, can be eaten. (more…)

Cold Cucumber Cream Soup

Cold Cucumber Cream Soup

A quick and refreshing cold soup that can be prepared ahead of time for those warm, muggy evenings; if you are out of cilantro already, dill works just as well.  Serves 4. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – June 24, 2024

Hi Folks! I guess I don’t have to tell you what a brutal week of weather we had. The temperatures will be more moderate this week, but we still have not had any rain. As often happens on the farm, some passing storms moved to the north and the south. Hopefully there will be some precipitation this week. (more…)

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard, along with kale, mustard greens, and collard greens, is one of several leafy, green vegetables often referred to as “greens.”  It belongs to the same family as beets and spinach and shares a similar taste profile.  Chard is a tall, leafy vegetable with a thick, crunchy stalk (akin to celery but less stringy) that comes in white, red, or yellow, with wide, fan-like, ruffled leaves that are similar to spinach but chewier.  Regardless of the stalks’ color, they have similar flavors and cooking properties, although the white stalks are most tender.  Very tender leaves can be added directly to green salads. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – June 17, 2024

Hello Folks! The first day of summer is less than a week away but the first major heat wave of the season just could not wait. The spring weather treated us well and I have been saying “so far, so good” because I knew that our luck might not last. This kind of heat and humidity is hard on my crew and I, and it is also rough on the crops. It is especially hard on the greens which have been growing so beautifully until now. We received less than a quarter inch of rain last week, so the ground is drying out, and we are moving sprinklers around to keep the soil moist. Hopefully, the heat will bring some thunderstorms later in the week. (more…)

Kohlrabi and Carrot Slaw

Kohlrabi and Carrot Slaw

Found on thekitchn.com, this slaw is the perfect side dish for a summer picnic.  It can be prepared very quickly, especially if you have a mandoline or food processor handy.  The slaw is very lightly dressed, so feel free to increase the wet ingredients if you prefer a more heavily dressed slaw.  Like any slaw, feel free to substitute different ingredients – try it with Napa or green cabbage if that’s what you have.  Serves 4-6. (more…)