Westfield Area CSA

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Westfield Area CSA Blog

Circle Brook Farm

News

17 Nov, 2025

Farm News – November 17, 2025

Hello Folks! So, we have come to the end of the line, for this season at least. Farming is never easy, but this year was a bit more challenging than most. It is the weather, of course, that primarily determines the extent and the nature of the challenges. This year, ten days straight of drizzle and overcast skies followed by a near 100-degree heat wave in June caused the premature demise of our pea crop. Fortunately, we did not have another scorcher of such intensity for the rest of the season. But we did have consistently dry conditions through the summer and into the fall, which kept us (and the well pumps) busy trying to keep the crops hydrated. The upside is that a dry season is better than an overly wet one. (more…)

Sweet Potatoes

Featured Produce

17 Nov, 2025

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America and are one of the oldest vegetables known to man.  They have been consumed since prehistoric times as evidenced by sweet potato relics dating back 10,000 years that have been discovered in Peruvian caves. (more…)

Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies

Recipies

17 Nov, 2025

Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies

This recipe was adapted by www.thekitchn.com from a Dan Lepard recipe published in The Guardian.  Mr. Lepard explains that the sweet potatoes maintain the brownie’s sweetness and texture while allowing for a little less butter and sugar.  He also says that you can further eliminate some sugar and fat by using less chocolate and adding in dried blueberries or sour cherries.  If your kids are not veggie fans, this may convert them! (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

News

10 Nov, 2025

Farm News – November 10, 2025

Hi Folks! We have had a little bit of rain and a whole lot of wind. Tonight, the temperatures will drop into the mid-twenties- brrrr! It has been a mild fall thus far, but winter is coming! We gave up covering the peppers and picked what fruit remained on the plants. Now we are covering the hardier crops, which may still sustain some damage from a hard freeze. (more…)

Sunchokes

Featured Produce

10 Nov, 2025

Sunchokes (aka Jerusalem Artichokes)

Sunchokes, of the sunflower family, are native to North America where the natives called them “sun roots” before European settlers arrived. Samuel Champlain, a French explorer found them in Cape Cod in 1605 and pronounced them similar in taste to artichokes. But why “Jerusalem artichokes”? They don’t come from Jerusalem nor do they look like artichokes. There are a few theories: (more…)

Buttercup Squash with Apples

Recipies

10 Nov, 2025

Buttercup Squash with Apples

This recipe is from the Betty Crocker Cooking for Two cookbook and is a perfect pairing of fall crops.  Buttercup squash, like acorn squash, isn’t always easy to peel – this makes it a great squash for stuffing with other things.  With brown sugar and apples, this recipe makes for a sweet side dish.  Serves 2. (more…)

Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage

Recipies

10 Nov, 2025

Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage

This classic German red cabbage recipe from simplyrecipes.com is one of our favorite ways to prepare red cabbage.  The sugar and balsamic vinegar give the sautéed cabbage a delightful sweet and sour glaze.  Try serving alongside pork chops, schnitzel, or any roast.  Serves 3-4. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

News

3 Nov, 2025

Farm News – November 3, 2025

Hi Folks! We received an inch and a quarter of rain from last Thursday’s storms – enough for the crops but not enough to make up for the deficit and recharge the aquifer. We have a few more tomatoes for you and we are including some generic mustard greens in the mix with the arugula – these can be spicy, not mild like the tatsoi. We still have some peppers but more green ones and turning color. We have a lot of cauliflower and are continuing the Napa cabbage broccoli rotation. We are sending some of the small sweet potatoes as an extra – they can be boiled and eaten with the skin or stir-fried. They also make great dog treats. Lettuce and carrots are back! (more…)