Westfield Area CSA Blog

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – May 31, 2024

Hi Folks, Happy Spring!

Almost summer, I guess, but for now we have not had any of the blistering heat which that season is sure to bring. Things are going very well on the farm – the weather has been relatively cooperative thus far and all my workers have arrived on time. For the last several seasons poor weather has set us back with spring planting and we have needed to postpone the first delivery a couple of times. Because Thanksgiving is so late this year, we were able to plan the start of the season for the second week of June.  Ironically, we now have an abundance of greens – arugula, spinach, and lettuces ready for which we are scrambling to find buyers. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

2024 Registration

Happy winter everyone! It is time to register for the 2024 CSA season!   Know your farmer. Know your food.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  CSA members pre-pay for “shares” in a local organic farm at the beginning of the season in March when the farmer most needs the money. Then during the harvest from June through November, the farmer delivers a weekly assortment of vegetables, herbs, and some fruit.

100% of your food dollars go to the person who is growing it. You support sustainable, local agriculture and get freshly picked organic produce at reasonable prices.  In addition, you know the farmer growing your vegetables and can visit the farm – establishing a personal connection with your food supply. (more…)

Homemade Falafel

Homemade Falafel

You can create excellent baked or pan-fried falafel using canned chickpeas, but if you want to make the universally loved deep-fried variety, you’ll need to use dried chickpeas, which you soak overnight in water before blitzing with the other ingredients. Dried chickpeas, even when partially hydrated through soaking, are drier and starchier than the canned variety, yielding a batter that will stick together and not disintegrate when deep-fried. This recipe comes from Delish.com and uses many of our veggies and herbs to create!

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Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – November 22, 2023

Hi Everyone, I wanted to give you the rundown on what you will encounter in your stock up shares. If not, I will soon be receiving emails and texts with photos of strange, unknown vegetables. What is it, and what the heck do I do with it? I can help with what it is and how it should be stored. As for how to prepare it -that’s what Google is for, right? (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – November 13, 2023

Hello Everyone, We have reached the final week of the CSA season. I know that some will be sad not to receive their weekly bounty, while others may be relieved to be free of the pressure of putting it all to good use. My crew and I are relieved as well as proud to have been able to provide reasonably abundant shares despite the many challenges that the weather created. (more…)

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts as they are now known were grown possibly as early as the 13th century in what is now Belgium. During the 16th century, they enjoyed a popularity in the southern Netherlands that eventually spread throughout the cooler parts of Northern Europe.  They are a cool weather crop that, rather than being damaged by a frost, actually gets a little sweeter and improves in taste. (more…)