Westfield Area CSA Blog
Farm News – July 19, 2021
Hi Folks! So the everyday rain seems to have abated and the temperatures moderated – at least for now. Hopefully we can get back on track with the planting schedule. It is time to plant lots of carrots for the fall crop and more spinach and beets, just to name a few things. So far we have been lucky – no damage from wind or hail, which has been around with these strong storms. (more…)
Cabbage and Onion Torta
This recipe from the New York Times is a delicious way to use up a LOT of cabbage. This torta, filled with browned onions, silky cabbage, and plenty of creamy fontina cheese, might just be the best way you’ve ever eaten what is arguably a challenging vegetable. It’s at its most appealing served warm, with the cheese still a little gooey. But when fully cooled it becomes picnic or lunchbox fare, sturdy enough to slice up and carry with you. The smoked ham is purely optional, but is does add a pleasing porky flavor to the mix. And if you can’t find fontina, try Gruyere, Swiss or muenster instead. (more…)
Farm News – July 12, 2021
Hello Folks! So, we are generally happy for some rain, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Everyday storms and rain showers are making life a bit difficult for us at present. It isn’t possible to prepare ground for planting, or seed when it is too wet. The damp weather is favorable to the fungi, to which many plants are susceptible, but especially the tomatoes and the cucurbits. We have finished bringing in the garlic and are almost done harvesting the shallot crop, but now there are onions that must be pulled, or they will begin to rot. Hopefully, the wet spell will end soon, and we can get back on schedule with planting. (more…)
Zucchini Butter Spaghetti
This recipe for Zucchini Butter Spaghetti found on the Smitten Kitchen food blog is so delicious! The zucchini gives this pasta a creamy texture, like a “spicy green alfredo”. This recipe serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 as a side, but can easily be doubled.
Farm News – July 5, 2021
Hello Everyone, Happy Independence Day! I hope you enjoyed the long weekend despite the damp start. Here on the farm, there are no days off – there is just too much to be done. We were happy to receive some much-needed precipitation and grateful that it came mostly in the evenings and did not impact our markets or our field work. I had just finished planting the last of the winter squash as well as a third planting of beans, corn, and some cucumbers. We had also transplanted cabbage and Brussel’s sprouts just ahead of the storms, so the rain was a benefit to these crops as well as the multitude of established plantings that are not aided by drip irrigation. (more…)
Curly Endive (aka Frisée)
Curly endive, also known as frisée, is a leafy vegetable in the chicory family. (Other chicory types include bitter veggies like escarole, radicchio, and the white-leaved Belgian endive). Curly endive is a crisp bitter green can be used as an addition in salads, or can be cooked as a side dish. The inner pale leaves are somewhat more tender and mild than the bitter outer ones.
Frisée aux Lardons
From the New York Times, here is a bistro salad classic of curly endive with bacon and poached egg. You want curly endive with tender, blanched centers. That means the darker green outer leaves must be removed and not used in the dish. You want to expose the pale inner leaves and keep them looking as natural as possible. Don’t chop them. For the lardons, use bacon or, if you don’t want its smoky taste, unsmoked pancetta. And when you fry them, take care to brown the lardons lightly so that they are crisp, but with a little give. Don’t overcook them, or the egg. (more…)
Farm News – June 28, 2021
Hello Folks! So, we are in the second heat wave of the season – three more scorching days to endure before it breaks on Thursday. Fortunately, there is a fair amount of moisture in the soil, so our crops should not be affected too much. I can’t believe we are in the fourth week of deliveries already. I guess time flies when you’re working hard as well! (more…)
Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Summer Vegetables
Whether you are hosting a 4th of July party, or just like grilled vegetables, this recipe from the Jenessa’s Dinners blog has you covered. You can even prepare the wheatberries the night before to save time. This recipe serves 5-6.