Westfield Area CSA Blog

Cabbage and Onion Torta

Cabbage and Onion Torta

This recipe from the New York Times is a delicious way to use up a LOT of cabbage.  This torta, filled with browned onions, silky cabbage, and plenty of creamy fontina cheese, might just be the best way you’ve ever eaten what is arguably a challenging vegetable.  It’s at its most appealing served warm, with the cheese still a little gooey.  But when fully cooled it becomes picnic or lunchbox fare, sturdy enough to slice up and carry with you.  The smoked ham is purely optional, but is does add a pleasing porky flavor to the mix.  And if you can’t find fontina, try Gruyere, Swiss or muenster instead. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – October 7, 2024

Hello all! So, still no rain and none in sight – oh well. The temperatures have been agreeable, but we are predicted to drop into the thirties for two nights at the beginning of next week. Hopefully, we will squeak by without a frost. (more…)

Spinach

Spinach

Calorie for calorie, leafy green vegetables like spinach provide more nutrients than any other food.  Spinach is thought to have originated in ancient Persia.  Spinach made its way to China in the 7th century when the king of Nepal sent it as a gift to this country.  Spinach has a much more recent history in Europe than many other vegetables.  It was only brought to that continent in the 11th century, when the Moors introduced it into Spain.  In fact, for a while, spinach was known as “the Spanish vegetable” in England. (more…)

Escarole with Cannelloni Beans

Escarole with Cannelloni Beans

When faced with escarole, I had to become creative. I threw this together, and surprise! I loved it! You can use any greens in the recipe. For an easy entrée, add a little more stock to the mix when cooking and toss it with pasta when done.
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Edamame

Edamame

The Japanese name edamame literally means “twig bean”, and is a reference to the short stem attached to the pod. This term originally referred to young soybeans in general.

Over time, however, the prevalence of the salt-boiled preparation meant that the term edamame now often refers specifically to this dish. Typically, the pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole. To eat, you simply squeeze the beans out of the pods with your fingers, or your teeth! (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – September 30, 2024

Hello Folks! We continue to be on the dry side – after four days of drizzle there was barely a quarter inch in the rain gauge. There is not much in the forecast either. At least the light rain was good for germinating seeds and a dry fall is better than a wet one. We will continue to move the overhead irrigation around for now. (more…)

Broccoli Raab

Broccoli Raab

Commonly known in the United States as broccoli raab, it is truly a vegetable with many names around the world.  A few of the many names are raab, rabe, rapa, rapine, rappi, rappone, turnip broccoli, taitcat, Italian or Chinese broccoli, broccoli rape, or broccoli de rabe. (more…)