Westfield Area CSA Blog

Endive (aka Frisée)

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.

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Frisée aux Lardons

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…)

Circle Brook Farm

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…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – June 21, 2021

Hi everyone, Happy Father’s Day!  Happy Juneteenth!  Happy Summer Solstice!  Happy, Happy, Happy!  Just as I hope you will be with the share this week!   (more…)

Broccoli Leaf Soup

Broccoli Leaf Soup

This is a simple soup that is simply good. The farina makes it creamy without the extra calories of cream. Make a large batch, and freeze the extra for another day! To make the soup even more healthy, replace the butter with olive oil. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – June 14, 2021

Hello everyone, the time has come for me to dust off my pea puns and pea-alliteration, for we have a plenitude, a preponderance, a plethora of peas.  So, if you have been praying for peas, for now your prayers will be answered.  This week it is mostly English, or shell peas we have in abundance, a few groups may receive snow peas this time and English peas next.  Sugar snap peas will be starting next week. (more…)

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Found on the culinaryhill.com food blog, this strawberry spinach salad recipe is a great summer dish. This recipe includes pecans, but you could substitute other nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. You can bring out more flavor by toasting the nuts in a dry or buttered skillet. (more…)