Westfield Area CSA

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Monthly Archive: July 2025

Circle Brook Farm

News

28 Jul, 2025

Farm News – July 28, 2025

Hello All, It rained! A bit too much all at once, but we take what we can get. We are back in business again – the business of putting seeds in the ground. The sweet corn, carrots, and our fall brassica transplants received a good soaking, and we get a respite from constantly moving irrigation around the fields. There was some wind, which broke a few of our pepper plants, but nothing too terrible. I have one more round of beans and carrots to sow and it is time to start planting greens like arugula and spinach again for the fall crop. (more…)

Tomatoes

Featured Produce

28 Jul, 2025

Tomatoes

The tomato, like the eggplant, is a member of the Solanaceae, or Nightshade family.  Tomatoes are native to western South America, but were cultivated in Mexico by Mexican Indians, who were intrigued by its resemblance to the tomatillo – a staple in their cuisine.  With the discovery of the New World, tomato seeds were brought back to Spain, beginning the introduction of the fruit into Europe.  Tomatoes made their way to North America with the colonists who first settled in Virginia. (more…)

Easy Fingerling Potatoes

Recipies

28 Jul, 2025

Easy Fingerling Potatoes

Fingerling potatoes are quick and easy to prepare on the stove-top.  Because of their size, they cook quickly, and don’t need to be peeled.  Try any of these variations! (more…)

Summer Succotash

Recipies

28 Jul, 2025

Summer Succotash

If you’re tired of traditional succotash, try this recipe from Simply Organic by Jesse Ziff Cool.  It deviates from the classic style of succotash by substituting green beans for lima beans, and adding hot peppers, cumin, and lime for a southwestern twist. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

News

21 Jul, 2025

Farm News – July 21, 2025

Hi Folks!  So, how do you know when summer is in full swing? When your CSA share contains peppers, sweet corn, and TOMATOES! Yippee!  The peppers and tomatoes are just getting started, so there will not be a huge quantity, but they will be more abundant with each passing week.  The sweet corn ears are smallish – typical of the early varieties.  We are hoping for a second planting to begin to mature for the end of the week.  If the ears are not ready in time, we will substitute fingerling potatoes and make it up next week. (more…)

Swiss Chard

Featured Produce

21 Jul, 2025

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…)

Swiss Chard with Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes

Recipies

21 Jul, 2025

Swiss Chard with Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes

This recipe is an alternative to the “traditional” sautéed Swiss chard with garlic.  Depending on whether you want to use the chard stems as well in the recipe (you can cut them up finely, or dice them), you may need about a quarter to half a cup of chicken stock.  Start with ¼ cup and add more as needed to get the chard wilted, before adding the tomatoes and lemon juice.  Serves 4 as a side dish.  Enjoy!
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Baingan Bharta

Recipies

21 Jul, 2025

Baingan Bharta – Roasted Eggplant Purée

Found in Rani Sidhu’s Menus and Memories from Punjab cookbook, this is a classic recipe for Baingan Bharta, a roasted eggplant purée.  The word ‘Bharta’ (pronounced BHURR-taah) refers to dishes in which the ingredients are roughly mashed either before or after the dish is prepared.  Bhartas are largely North Indian in origin and made from all sorts of vegetables.  Yields 10 half-cup servings. (more…)