Westfield Area CSA Blog

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – October 17, 2022

Hello Everyone! So, summer officially ended almost four weeks ago, but we are still trying to squeeze a little more summer out of the fields. We are about to experience 3 or 4 nights of frost, so this is definitely the last hurrah for the beans and peppers. We may even be able to send a few more tomatoes your way! (more…)

Kohlrabi Curry

Kohlrabi Curry

Kohlrabi is found in a lot of Indian cuisine, so it naturally goes well with traditional Indian spices.  You can substitute it for other vegetables like potato or eggplant.  This recipe was adapted from Eggplant Curry in the Moosewood Cookbook. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – October 10, 2022

Hello Folks, we had our first hard frost here on the farm on Sunday morning. It killed the eggplant and severely damaged the peppers. We covered the beans and a few other tender crops, but they still received some minor damage. Most of what remains in the fields currently are cold tolerant crops. All the brassicas and mustard family crops can endure temperatures well below freezing. Lettuce and herbs such as cilantro and dill are also amazingly resistant to the cold. (more…)

Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies

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…)

Braised Squash

Braised Mélange of Winter Squash

We usually roast winter squash, but you can braise your winter squash instead if you are willing to trade more prep time for less cook time.  Braised or simmered squash cooks in just a few minutes, and you’re left with the benefit of all that creamy sauce, too.  This recipe from thekitchn.com shows how to do it.  The squash can be served in chunks, or puréed into a sauce, e.g. for serving over pasta. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – October 3, 2022

Hi Folks, So, we are hanging to summer – but just by a thread! This will be the last week for summer squash and sweet corn. We had a good run with both – I know that this was the most sweet corn that members have ever received. The beans are coming to an end as well – we will have some for most groups this week and will catch up next week with those who lacked them. The brassicas should be starting up by now, but unfortunately, they are behind schedule – a consequence of the prolonged drought. For this week, we will have some baby bok choi. We are expecting a couple of cold nights over the weekend, hopefully nothing too drastic! (more…)

Sweet Dumpling Squash

Sweet Dumpling Squash

When you need a smaller alternative to a big winter squash, sweet dumpling squash is the answer. About the size of an extra large apple, this single-serving squash usually weighs under one pound apiece and is shaped like a miniature pumpkin due to the scalloped lobes that form the rind. The skin is often white with mottled yellow, orange, and/or green markings. Inside, the flesh is smooth, tender, and sweet, with a bright orange color. Like all winter squash, it’s a great source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, and fiber. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – September 26, 2022

Hi Folks, The days are getting shorter, and the night are getting cooler. This past Saturday morning there was a bit of ice on my windshield, even though there was no sign of frost on the ground, and it was only forecast to drop down to 42 degrees. Later in the day, inspection of the fields revealed some damage to the sweet potato leaves, so we did indeed have the very lightest of frosts. Fortunately, all the other tender crops emerged unscathed- even the basil was fine. We are certain to have frost in the next few weeks, but we try to cover the more susceptible crops, such as the zucchini, peppers, and beans, to protect them for a few more days or even weeks. “Summers almost gone, yes, winters comin’ on” (Billy Grammar – Gotta Travel On). We will try to hang on to those tasty summer veggies as long as we can, but soon the sweet corn will be replaced by sweet potatoes. But I don’t expect that anyone will complain about that! (more…)