Westfield Area CSA Blog

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 31, 2023

Hello Everyone!  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather as much as we are here on the farm. It is a real treat to have such mild temperatures, cool nights, and lower humidity in early August!

We have peppers for you this week and the tomatoes are coming in heavy now. We will have sweet corn for as many groups as the supply allows and take care of the rest next week. The first planting of summer squash is in decline and the second is just getting started. We are in a similar situation with the beans. We will make sure everyone gets both over the next 2 weeks. The beets will be arriving topless – I hope that’s not too shocking for you lol. (more…)

Classic Ukrainian Borscht

Classic Ukrainian Borscht

This recipe for classic Ukrainian borscht was found at Natasha’s Kitchen food blog.  This recipe is meatless, but you can add in cubed beef, broth, and bones to add more flavor.  This soup takes about 2 hours to cook everything completely, and serves 10-12 as a side.

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Italian Turkey Soup

Italian Turkey Soup

Turkey soup may be the end of the line for turkey leftovers, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring!  Here’s a tasty soup recipe found on www.epicurious.com that’s made with all your favorite summer veggies:  zucchini, pepper, onion, carrot, and garlic.  Enjoy!  Serves 4. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 24, 2023

Hello Folks! There are no major meteorological complaints to be lodged for this past week – the excessive rainfall has abated, at least for now. There will be some scorching hot days this week, but nothing like what the southern and western US has seen in recent days. The fields have dried out enough to allow us to move ahead with our planting. I am direct seeding beans and herbs, and my crew have been busy planting more cucumbers and summer squash as well as thousands of brassica family plants for the fall harvest. (more…)

Cauliflower

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a highly modified form of cabbage in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), grown for its edible masses of partially developed flower structures and fleshy stalks. alongside its well-known counterparts of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and radishes. (more…)

Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

You’ve made mashed potatoes before, but have you ever tried mashed cauliflower?  This recipe, found on foodnetwork.com, is a delicious low carb alternative to your traditional mashed potatoes.  Try pre-roasting the garlic and adding a little fresh rosemary for an even bigger taste.  Serves 4. (more…)

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This baked eggplant recipe, found on marthastewart.com is much lighter than the fried alternative. It’s more healthy, and won’t leave your kitchen stove messy and oil-spattered.  It’s always a crowd-pleaser and will satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians alike – don’t expect to have many leftovers! Serves 8. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – July 17, 2023

Hi Everyone! So, we don’t have levees, but if it keeps on raining something’s going to break! I guess it might be my heart, or maybe the bank – 5 inches this week! It is times like these when we are grateful for our light topsoil and sandy subsoil. But even with these blessings, there is still water pooling and puddling on the surface. This is the reason that we plant most everything on raised beds – it keeps the crops just a few inches above the standing water. It seems that we might have a few days without precipitation, so I might have a chance to get some seeds in the ground. (more…)