Westfield Area CSA Blog
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
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
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…)
Squash-Spiked Mashed Potatoes
While this recipe, from the magazine Whole Living, calls for Yukon potatoes, any potato will work. As presented, the recipe serves 6.
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Spicy Sesame Ginger Bok Choy
This recipe from Pinch and Swirl is written to serve 2 – feel free to double or triple it! (more…)
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 (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…)
Smashed Sunchokes with Thyme Butter
You can prepare sunchokes in a number of different ways, including raw, but we’re partial to the simplicity of this recipe – found on the Serious Eats food blog – in which they’re treated in the same way you would a small potato, like a fingerling. (more…)
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
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…)