CSA 2015 - Week #15

NEWS FROM THE FARM

The first week of September is here, although it feels more like July! It's transition time for most of us, and we're feeling it this year as our little one heads off to kindergarten. Transitions in the fields are happening too, as we finish up the last of our fall transplanting and get our fall greens seeded.

September is a great month for CSA harvests, with the summer crops still producing heavily (tomatoes, peppers, beans) and fall crops starting up. This week we're so excited for beets (and their delicious greens) to make their September come-back!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES
Tomatoes continue this week. If you need a little break (I hear you!) just throw them in a plastic bag in the freezer to use in soups and other cooked recipes later in the year. Green Beans are back and they are super tender and sweet. I like them with a bit of butter and salt - simple and delicious! Beets are a favorite in our kitchen for all types of dishes, but they are great in salads or you can try this week's recipe that uses both the beet roots and the greens. If you eat the Beet Greens separately, I like to steam the tops and top with butter and s&p, or you can saute them in a little olive oil and garlic. Red Peppers freeze great if you can't get to them this week, but I highly recommend trying to make your own roasted red peppers if you have never done so before. The flavor will knock your socks off! Red Onions are so great to slice in salads and more Yellow Potatoes for your salads or to roast in the oven.

Bon appetit! - Maggie

SAVE THE DATE!
Bring your family and friends to our celebration of CSA at our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18th. Good food, cooking demos, kids' activities, live music, hayride tours and more! Come meet your farmers and see where your food comes from. We hope to see you there!

KIM'S HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER

Check out Kim's blog on eating Real, Living Food >>Read here

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

SEPTEMBER 1, 2, 3 & 4

Yukon Gold Potatoes - 1 quart
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Green Beans - 1 bag
Red Beets - 1 bunch
Red Onions - several pieces
Red Long Peppers - several pieces
Red Tomatoes - 3+ lbs.

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Red Beets & their greens, Green Beans, Red Sweet Long Peppers, Red Onions, Swiss Chard, Yukon Gold Potatoes & Red Tomatoes in the middle.

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Potatoes, Peppers

In a bag in the fridge...
Swiss Chard, Red Beets, Green Beans,

On the counter...
Red Onions, Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red (or yellow for the cherries) and ripe!

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

Donut Peaches - 1 bag
Peaches - 1 bag

RECIPES

Green Beans with Potatoes & Salsa Verde
Beets & Beet Greens with Dijon
Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers & Goat Chees
HOW-TO: Roasted Red Peppers

CSA ListebSeptember 1, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #14

NEWS FROM THE FARM

More hot, dry weather on the farm this week! As we transition into September, you can look forward to some early winter squash making an appearance in the boxes very soon. First to be harvested is the acorn squash crop, quickly followed by sunshine squash. You can also expect to see more salad and cooking greens in the shares as the dry summer weather gives way to cooler nights and (hopefully) some rain. Some of you have asked about our second basil crop, which we are sorry to report has not come through. We've noticed over the past few years that only our first planting of basil is good enough to harvest. The second and third plantings have become susceptible to downy mildew which turns the leaves brown. This is a new phenomena, and we're not exactly sure what is causing it. We've been able to grow excellent basil in the past, so we're going to be doing some more research on this over the winter.

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES
Tomatoes, anyone? The plums in this week's share are excellent for sauce! The Potatoes are Yukon Gold, which have a terrific texture for potato salads. Swiss Chard for a quick saute - I've been dying to get something green back on our plates! And Orange Long Peppers which are Little Farmer's favorite! You can roast them - see this week's recipe, or just eat them raw. And Eggplant or Zucchini to round out the box. The eggplant was harvested for Tuesday only this week - all other members will receive their eggplant over the next two weeks. (Not all the eggplants ripen at the same time, so we are harvesting and distributing them as they are ready.)

Bon appetit! - Maggie

SAVE THE DATE!
Bring your family and friends to our celebration of CSA at our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18th. Good food, cooking demos, kids' activities, live music, hayride tours and more! Come meet your farmers and see where your food comes from. We hope to see you there!

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

AUGUST 25, 26, 27 & 28

Swiss Chard - 2 pieces
Orange Long Peppers - 2 pieces
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 pint
Red Tomatoes - 3 lbs.
Plum (Sauce) Tomatoes - 2 lbs
Yukon Gold Potatoes - 1 quart
Eggplant - Tuesday only this week. All members will receive eggplant over the course of the next few weeks. The eggplants ripen at different rates, so you'll all receive it once in your share. Those who don't receive eggplant this week will receive Zucchini

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Eggplant (Tuesday only), Orange Long Peppers, Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Plum Tomatoes, Swiss Chard and Red Beefsteak Tomatoes in the middle.

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Eggplant, Potatoes, Peppers

In a bag in the fridge...
Swiss Chard

On the counter...
Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red (or yellow for the cherries) and ripe!

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

Bartlett Pears - 1 bag
Peaches - 1 bag

RECIPES

Swiss Chard with Potatoes
How-to: Quick Roasted Peppers
Fresh Plum Tomato Sauce

CSA ListebAugust 25, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #13

NEWS FROM THE FARM

SEASON UPDATE!
This week marks the half-way point of our CSA harvest season. The next 13 weeks will take us through the bountiful harvests of late summer (which technically runs through September) and the fall, with the return of leafy greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, winter squash and more. Our sweet potato and winter squash plantings look terrific this year, so you can look forward to seeing them in your shares in about a month or so.

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES
It's a tomato explosion this week! Right on schedule, mid to late August is when the tomato plants really start to produce in full-swing! Now is the time to make salsa, tomato salads and maybe even freeze some sauce for the winter. If you're really busy, you can just put the tomatoes whole in a plastic ziplock bag and put them in the freezer to use in soups or sauces later in the year. Don't expect the texture of a defrosted tomato to hold up - you'll want to be sure you're cooking it when you use it again. The zucchini is large, sweet and wonderful for zucchini bread - try this week's recipe. Kids love it and it's perfect toasted with a little butter with tea or for breakfast. The Onions this week will store well if you keep them in a cool, dark place. Green Peppers - try grilling them this week! And more freshly-dug Red Potatoes for your summer potato salads.

Bon appetit! - Maggie

SAVE THE DATE!
Bring your family and friends to our celebration of CSA at our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18th. Good food, cooking demos, kids' activities, live music, hayride tours and more! Come meet your farmers and see where your food comes from. We hope to see you there!

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Read all about Sweeteners & Salt in Kim's blog this week!

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

AUGUST 18, 19, 20 & 21

Cherry Tomatoes - 1+ lb!
Red Tomatoes - 4 lbs!
Red Potatoes - 1 quart
Green Bell Pepper - 2 pieces
Dry White or Yellow Onions - several pieces
Zucchini - several pieces

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Red Potatoes, Onions, Zucchini, Red Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Yellow Cherry Tomatoes

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Peppers, Potatoes

In a bag in the fridge...
Zucchini

In a cool, dry place...
Onions

On the counter...
Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red (or yellow for the cherries) and ripe!

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

TBD by the Fruit Farmer - please check the sheet at your pick-up site. Thank you!

RECIPES

Roasted Tomato Salsa
Zucchini with Garlic & Crushed Red Pepper
Zucchini Bread
Grilled Green Bell Peppers

CSA ListebAugust 18, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #12

NEWS FROM THE FARM

IN THE FARM OFFICE
Thanks for all the love, folks! We've heard from so many of you who are enjoying this season's program and all the delicious veggies we've been harvesting for you. Some of you have shared some helpful constructive criticism, and we appreciate that too. All feedback is important to us as it helps us make our program better.

Today's rain is a welcome change in the forecast. It has been an extremely dry season. Huge dust clouds follow our tractors and farm vehicles, and our field workers have to wear masks while harvesting potatoes to avoid breathing in so much dusty soil. This rain will also give us a break in our irrigation work - allowing us some more time to attend to other field work and crop maintenance.

This past week we've been busy seeding some of our fall root crops, like carrots and beets, and transplanting fall brassicas, like kales, broccoli, kohlrabi and cabbage. We'll be transplanting until the end of the month, and continue our seedings of turnips, bok choi, watermelon radish, white salad turnips and baby greens through the middle of September.

SAVE THE DATE!
Bring your family and friends to our celebration of CSA at our annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18th. Good food, cooking demos, kids' activities, live music, hayride tours and more! Come meet your farmers and see where your food comes from. We hope to see you there!

IN THE SHARES
Another fabulous share this week!
Yellow Watermelon - If you liked last week's melon, you'll LOVE this one! Fewer seeds, sweeter, juicier flesh.
Cipollini Onions - These are a sweet, Italian variety of onion known as "little onion". Try our recipe this week.
Swiss Chard - This is a leafy green that loves the heat! I've been steaming and serving chard alongside eggs for breakfast. You can also try this week's simple recipe for swiss chard & potatoes.
Red Potatoes - This variety is called Red Norland. Great texture for potato salads!
Red Tomatoes & Cherry Tomatoes - The tomatoes keep coming in! We hope to continue harvesting from our plants through the end of September.
Green Bell Pepper - If you leave green peppers on the plant, eventually they will turn red or yellow, depending on the variety. We leave a lot of our peppers to turn colors, but we do harvest them in their green stage a few times for the CSA. Try it in gazpacho!

Bon appetit! - Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Read all about Supplements in Kim's blog this week!

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

AUGUST 11, 12, 13 & 14

Red Potatoes - 1 quart
Green Bell Pepper - 1 piece
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Cipollini Onions - 1 bunch
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Red Tomatoes - several pieces
Yellow Watermelon - 1 piece

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Cipollini Onions, Swiss Chard, Red Tomatoes, Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Red Potatoes, Yellow Watermelon & Green Bell Pepper!

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Watermelon, Pepper, Potatoes

In a bag in the fridge...
Swiss Chard, Onions

On the counter...
Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red (or yellow for the cherries) and ripe!

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

Peaches - 1 bag
Donut Peaches - 1 bag

RECIPES

Roasted Cipollini Onions with Honey & Balsamic
Simple Swiss Chard & Potatoes
Red Potatoes with Feta, Olives & Mint
Gazpacho

CSA ListebAugust 11, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #11

*Watermelon, Purple Potatoes still attached to the roots.*

NEWS FROM THE FARM

IN THE FIELDS
Our potato harvest begins this week! The first step is to mow down the tops of the potato plants. This kills the plants and allows the skins on the potatoes to "cure" for a few weeks. Then we harvest them with a machine harvester, wash them, and pack them in your shares. This week's variety is purple skinned, called "Colorado Rose". You'll notice that the skin is still very delicate and it will come off if you scrub too hard. They have already been washed once, so a quick gentle wash is all they need before lightly steaming or boiling them until tender. Since they are "new" potatoes, they should be stored in the fridge if you don't eat them within a few days. They will not store well.

IN THE SHARES
Your farmers have outdone themselves this week to bring you a delightfully full (and rather expensive) share of the most delightful, most delicious produce you'll find anywhere! It makes summer cooking a breeze when the ingredients are so spectacular!
Personal-Sized Watermelon - We grow watermelons for the "vegetable" shares because we know you'll love them - especially this time of year when the heat just won't let up! Be sure to handle these melons gently (no dropping) or they'll split. And keep them in the fridge!
Purslane - Do you recognize this leafy green? You may have seen it around your property. It grows wild on Long Island, or you can cultivate it like we do. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids and it has a succulent texture and lemony flavor that pairs wonderfully with many ingredients in summer salads.
Purple Potatoes - See my note above. Handle gently and refrigerate if you're not using them right away. Delicious for potato salads!
Tomatoes - Most of you will receive both red beefsteaks and cherry tomatoes this week. We keep track of what each day's groups receive so you'll all get the same in the end...
Cucumbers - These plants are some of the best looking (and best producing) ones we've ever grown! I've been slicing mine up with some lemon in a pitcher of water. Cucumber lemon water is very refreshing on these hot days !
Green Beans - What a treat again this week! So crispy and tender when they're just a day old! We harvest everything the day before it goes out on your delivery.
Red Onions - Great sliced in salads!

Bon appetit! - Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Read all about Food Labels & Ingredients in Kim's blog this week!

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

AUGUST 4, 5, 6 & 7

Purple New Potatoes - 1 quart
Red Onions - 1 bunch
Cucumbers - several pieces
Cherry Tomatoes - 1 bag
Tomatoes - several pieces
Watermelon - 1-2 pieces, depending on size
Purslane - 1 bunch
Green Beans - 1 bag

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Purple Potatoes, Red Tomatoes, Red Onions, Purslane, Green Beans & Watermelon in the middle!

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Watermelon, Green Beans -- Poke a few small holes in the Green Beans bag for ventilation and store in the fridge.

In a bag in the fridge...
Purslane, Cucumbers, Onions,

On the counter...
Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red (or yellow for the cherries) and ripe!

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

Peaches - 1 bag
Donut Peaches - 1 bag

RECIPES

Green Beans braised with Tomatoes & Basil
Potato Salad with Green Beans & Salsa Verde
Tomato, Cucumber & Purslane Salad

CSA ListebAugust 4, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #10

Left: Winter Squash crop, Right: Tomatoes ripening on the vine

NEWS FROM THE FARM

OUR ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
Our farm has been Certified Organic from the very beginning, nearly 20 years now! Each year an inspector from a third-party certifying agency, NOFA-NY, LLC, visits the farm to perform an in-depth farm site inspection. Tomorrow, Farmer Matt will be spending nearly half the day with the inspector, as he analyzes our records, walks the fields and facilities, verifying our organic growing practices and audit trail records. It is an exhaustive and careful inspection that encompasses everything from seed procurement to crop rotation, buffer zones and soil nutrient testing. Click here to read more about the requirements for Organic Crop Certification from NOFA, NY.

IN THE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
We've been renovating our farmhouse kitchen this past month. Bad timing to say the least, but we've been hanging in there and it's almost finished! I'm excited to get cooking with this week's share....
Green Beans - The little farmer (who is now 5 1/2 and who has requested that I drop the "little" part) has been talking about the green bean harvest non-stop. In fact, the countdown has been on since last Tuesday, so we've been listening to him carry on about the mechanics of the harvester and the vibrating sorter for a week! As you can imagine, we were all relieved when the big day came yesterday and he was able to live the dream riding on the back of the harvester and working the mechanical sorter for hours on end. The delicious string beans in your shares this week are fruits of his (and many others) labor. These really are a treat, as you rarely find them available in stores, especially not organic ones! Please note that they are washed and bagged, but anywhere the bean may have been slightly bruised, there may be a little rotten spot. They must be stored in the fridge, and I would poke a few holes in their bag for ventilation. Eat them tonight! Steam gently until they turn a bright green - maybe 3-5 minutes. I like them with a little crunch, but taste them and see what you prefer. Serve these first ones with a touch of butter (or olive oil) and some salt. That's all they need! So sweet, so delicious, such a beautiful summer treat.
Tomatoes - The harvest is just starting up. These are a wonderful beefsteak variety with a lot of flavor. Don't overthink it with these - just slice and serve drizzled with a good olive oil and salt & pepper. Caprese salad with sliced fresh mozzarella and basil is lovely too.
Cucumbers & Onions - These are meant for each other in a quick salad. You could even add the tomatoes! Dress with olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt & pepper to taste. I crush some garlic in there too.
Cabbage - This hot week calls for a slaw. Try one of the recipes I've compiled this week.
Fennel - It's a love it or hate it veg, but I guarantee you'll love it one way or another. If you like the "licorice" flavor, then you're better off eating it raw. Try this week's salad recipe. If you're really not a fan of the flavor, then cook it! It looses that strong flavor and the texture when cooked is divine.

Bon appetit everyone! Stay cool! - Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Kim is on vacation this week. She'll be back next week with more healthy tips! In the meantime, you can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JULY 28, 29, 30 & 31

Onions - 1 bunch
Cucumbers - several pieces
Tomatoes - several pieces
Cabbage - 1 head
Fennel - 1 bunch
Green Beans - 1 bag

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE

THE FRUIT SHARE IS NOT ORGANIC! PLEASE BE SURE TO WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

Sugar Plums - 1 bag
Blueberries - 1 container

Clockwise from top: Cabbage, Fennel, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Onions & Green Beans in the middle!

STORAGE TIPS

In the fridge...
Poke a few small holes in the Green Beans bag for ventilation and store in the fridge.

In a bag in the fridge...
Cabbage, Fennel, Cucumbers, Onions

On the counter...
Tomatoes - eat right away when fully red and ripe!

RECIPES

Fennel, Avocado & Mint Salad
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan
Cabbage Slaw from Sonya Gropman
Cabbage Slaw with Cilantro & Lime

CSA ListebJuly 28, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #9

NEWS FROM THE FARM

Oh, it's been a hot few days harvesting for the shares this week! The forecast calls for overcast skies here today, which will provide a little relief from the blazing sun - although they're still predicting it to reach 90F! Our hot weather crops are loving this weather and we're running around irrigating as fast as we can. Long Island's sandy soils don't hold the water for long, so our irrigation pumps are running nearly 18 hours a days, rotating through the fields to keep the crops happy!

If you're a seasoned CSA member, then you won't be surprised by the light share this week. Every July we hit a "lull" in our harvest. The true summer crops are not quite in yet (although they're coming along!) and our earlier season summer crops are ending. This leaves us with a few weeks of smaller shares, but I hope you will be excited to hear about what's right around the corner... tomatoes! peppers! potatoes! garlic!

Beat the heat in your kitchen! If at all possible, do your cooking in the morning. This week I'll be using my zucchini in a curried zucchini soup which I serve chilled or room temperature. The onions are super sweet and delicious caramelized to use on sandwiches, pizzas or pasta. The parsley can be made into a pistou and frozen for later. And cucumber salad with sliced onions, mint and feta is the new must-have on our farmhouse table every evening. Enjoy what's in season while it lasts!

Bon appetit! - Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Hi! I'm officially on vacation! Although I will miss the farm, I'm looking forward to my yearly vacation to the vineyard! There truly is nothing like "vineyard time." There is also nothing I look more forward to than time with my kids, sister and family making memories that will last a lifetime. We will be heading to Lake George for a few days at the end of the week to visit my dad, who lives in Hague and spend more time with family. I encourage all of you to read my attached blog regarding primary and secondary foods, and I hope you are enjoying your own family and friend traditions.

READ MY BLOG HERE.

Health and Happiness,
Kim

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JULY 21, 22, 23 & 24

Parsley - 1 bunch
Walla Walla Onions - 1 bunch
Cucumbers - several pieces
Zucchini - several pieces
Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
Surprise Item - Hint: you may get this item this week OR next week! We're harvesting them as fast as we can! Many more to come...

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

FRUIT SHARE

To be decided by the fruit farmer. See the check-in sheet at your site. Remember: just one portion per item!

Clockwise from top: Walla Walla Onions, Parsley, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Lettuce, (Cherry Tomatoes in the middle - you may or may not get them in your share this week.)

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Onions, Parsley

RECIPES

• Zucchini & Cilantro Soup with Mint
• Caramelized Onions
• Onion Tart
• Parsley Pistou

CSA ListebJuly 21, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #8

NEWS FROM [OFF] THE FARM

Our family managed to get off the farm for a few days over the weekend. The farm is like our third child, so it seems crazy to leave it "alone" for even one night during the growing season. But it's good for us - a fresh perspective, some much-needed family time, and a chance to drive by other farms to check out what's growing in their neck of the woods! We even managed to keep to our early wake-up schedule to watch some beautiful hot air balloons lift off at sunrise. It was magical!

IN THE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

Not much is happening in our farmhouse kitchen at the moment, as we are renovating! How to keep up with this beautiful produce without a kitchen? I'm relying on lots of raw salads and grilled foods for the next few days. Hopefully we'll be back in our new kitchen by next week!

Swiss Chard - Try this in a frittata for a simple summer supper. With a Lettuce salad on the side, of course!
Zucchini - I'm loving this with pasta right now. Or in place of pasta? Your choice!
Parsley - Love the fresh flavor with bean salads and cukes!
Scallions - Try the recipe this week for grilled scallions.
Kohlrabi - A perfect summer appetizer when peeled and sprinkled with sea salt.
Basil - Whip up another batch of pesto this week. It freezes like a dream!
Cucumbers - Bring on the sliced cukes!
Beets - Roast them and serve in a room-temperature salad. Try this week's recipe.

Bon appetit!
- Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Hi everyone!

We have been so fortunate to have had such a lovely spring and summer so far--I hope you are all taking some time to really enjoy this great time of year! It has been very exciting to see all the action at the farm and to see the wonderful vegetables being added to the box each week. Soon we will be enjoying the delicious Golden Earthworm tomatoes, peppers and more! I hope you have been enjoying my blog, and I appreciate and welcome hearing your comments and also chatting with some of you in the Farm Shop. This week I'm discussing food as your medicine. As Heather Morgan said, "Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it."

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JULY 14, 15, 16 & 17

Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Parsley - 1 bunch
Scallions - 1 bunch
Kohlrabi - several pieces
Cucumbers - several pieces
Beets - 1 bunch
Basil - 1 bunch
Zucchini - several pieces
Lettuce - 1 head

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

[SORRY NO CSA SHARE PIC THIS WEEK -- NEXT WEEK IT'S BACK, I PROMISE!!!!]

FRUIT SHARE

TBD by Clark, the fruit farmer at Briermere Farms. See the check-in sheet at your pick-up site for the exact share.

Please remember, just one portion of each fruit!

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Parsley, Scallions, Kohlrabi, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Beets (store the roots and the greens separately)

Standing up in a cup of water in the fridge (bouquet-style)...
Basil

RECIPES

• Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad from the Barefoot Contessa
• Grilled Scallions from the Brooklyn Cook
• Swiss Chard Frittata

CSA ListebJuly 14, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #7

NEWS FROM THE FARM KITCHEN / IN THE BOX

Forget news from the fields this week. Trust me, it's pretty much the same as last week...cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, applying minerals, etc. It's the kitchen that is exploding with new activity this time of year!

I can't keep up with the beautiful cucumbers rolling into the kitchen. We're making cucumber salads for lunch and dinner. You can try any combination of flavors, but my favorite so far is made with ginger, garlic and cilantro dressed with sesame seeds and vinegar. Try the recipe below.

I'm also a pesto junky and I just can't get enough. If you haven't made fresh basil pesto before, YOU MUST. If you have a food processor, it will take you no more than 3 minutes from start to finish. My recipe below is simple and delicious!

Carrots - You'll be seeing these in your shares for a few more weeks as we finish harvesting this early season planting. Then they'll be back again in the fall.
Zucchini - A summer-time favorite. Have you tried slicing them lengthwise and putting them on the grill?
Radicchio - Another week of radicchio - how lucky are we? I grilled wedges of them last week and then tossed them with balsamic, garlic and parmesan. Served room temp, it's heavenly.
Cabbage - This head of cabbage is begging to be turned into coleslaw. Add some shredded carrots and you're good to go! See my recipe this week.

Bon appetit!
- Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Hi everyone!

Feels like we are officially into summer with the Fourth of July behind us already. I hope you enjoyed your holiday, family, friends, some fireworks and are having fun experimenting with new recipes and also enjoying your old favorites! I thought I would touch upon how great it is for us to "eat with the seasons." As CSA members, you truly have an understanding of this concept! I believe that not only is this nutritionally beneficial to your body, but there is something quite comforting knowing that everything has its place and that things are what they are for a reason.

READ MY BLOG POST HERE...

Enjoy,
Kim

"Let today be the day that you are committed to being the change you wish to see and living the life you wish to live." Dr. Steve Maraboli

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JULY 7, 8, 9 & 10

Carrots - 1 bunch
Cucumbers - several pieces
Green Cabbage - 1 head
Basil - 1 bunch
Radicchio - 1 head
Zucchini - several pieces
Red Leaf or Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
Romaine Lettuce - 1 head

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

FRUIT SHARE

The Fruit Share begins this week! Please remember to only take fruit if you have already registered, paid and it says "FRUIT" next to your name on the check-in sheet.

Blueberries - 1 container
Gooseberries - 1 container

Clockwise from top: Basil, Cucumbers, Romaine Lettuce, Zucchini, Green Cabbage, Carrots, Red Batavian Lettuce (& Radicchio in the middle).

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuces, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Cabbage, Radicchio, Carrots (remove & discard tops first).

Standing up in a cup of water in the fridge (bouquet-style)...
Basil

RECIPES

• Coleslaw with yogurt dressing
• Cucumber salad with ginger & garlic from Plenty
• Basil Pesto

CSA ListebJuly 7, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #6

NEWS FROM THE FARM

The photo above (top right) is of our cucumber field. These plants are just starting to produce, so you'll be finding them in your shares over the coming weeks. They are looking beautiful! Your farmers are busy cultivating (weeding) summer crops like cucumbers, peppers, potatoes and beans. Keeping the fields clear of weeds is very important, as they can quickly take over a crop and if the plants are too small to compete, we may have to turn in the entire crop. This is more likely to happen with smaller plants that are direct seeded in the fields, like carrots or spinach.

IN THE BOX

We have another amazing share this week! And very kid-friendly too! My little ones love munching on the raw carrots and the kohlrabi. The beets are super-sweet and the zucchini is so mellow when gently steamed and served with a little butter and salt.

Carrots - Be sure to remove the tops of the carrots before storing them! I don't eat the greens myself, but some people do. This summer variety is especially crunchy and sweet!
Zucchini - As I mentioned before, I like to slice these up and steam them gently until soft. Then I serve them with butter and salt. It's how my mom used to make them for me, and how I serve them to my kids!
Radicchio - From the chicory family, radicchio has a slightly bitter flavor (which matches perfectly with a hard, sharp cheese in a salad), but mellows when cooked. Try this week's recipe!
Kohlrabi - It looks like sputnik and tastes a lot like a sweet cabbage. Just peel off the thick skin and either slice raw, make a slaw or roast!
Beets - Boil or roast the beet roots and save the greens for a gentle saute. Be sure to separate the roots from the greens and store separately in bags in the fridge. They'll last longer that way.
Batavian Lettuce - For your summer salads...
Scallions - I love to slice these in my salads, but they are also great grilled or used anywhere you would normally use onions. You can eat the green parts too!

Bon appetit!
- Maggie

KIM'S HEALTH & NUTRITION CORNER...

Hi all,

I think everyone will agree with me that it is hard to believe we are starting the month of July already! Hopefully all of you are enjoying your shares and are looking forward to seeing what the farmers are harvesting each week. Many of you are anxious to see one of your favorite veggies back again; and those that may be new to the CSA, hopefully are experimenting with new recipes and are having fun trying new things!

Now that the summer is officially here, it is important to remember to keep yourself and your family safe during these sunny days of summer! I have linked to a great website that will help you choose a safe sunscreen, and I will touch upon the chemicals to avoid in some of your everyday products you may be using. Not only is it so important for all of us to be aware of what is in our food, it is just as important to be aware of what is in our beauty products, household products, etc.

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JUNE 30 & JULY 1, 2 & 3

Carrots - 1 bunch
Beets - 1 bunch
Radicchio - 1 head
Zucchini - several pieces
Scallions - 1 bunch
Red Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
Kohlrabi - several pieces

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

FRUIT SHARE

The Fruit Share begins this week! Please remember to only take fruit if you have already registered, paid and it says "FRUIT" next to your name on the check-in sheet.

Blueberries - 1 container
Rhubarb - 1 bunch

Clockwise from top: Red Batavian Lettuce, Zucchini, Kohlrabi, Scallions, Red Beets, Radicchio, Carrots

STORAGE TIPS

Remove the tops of the carrot greens before storing. (They can be composted.) Remove the the beet green tops as well, but don't discard! Store the beet greens separately and cook them!

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Zucchini, Kohlrabi, Scallions, Beets, Radicchio, Carrots

RECIPES

• Penne with Caramelized Onions & Radicchio
• Roasted Kohlrabi
• Grilled Radicchio with shaved Pecorino - Bon Appetit

CSA ListebJune 30, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #5

NEWS FROM THE FARM

Bring on the heat! Our summer crops love this hot, sunny weather. They start growing like crazy, so we find ourselves cultivating (weeding) and irrigating (watering) constantly! Above is a photo of our new irrigation boom. It provides an even spray of water to the fields and slowly moves across the length of the field at a pre-programmed rate. This sure beats our other system of pipes that have to be manually moved from field to field. Long Island's sandy soil is great for drainage, but not great when you want the water to stay in the soil and keep your plants hydrated. In order to keep the soil moisture at the proper level, we need to rotate irrigation around our fields on a daily basis.

Please note that there will be no farm tour on Saturday, June 27th since I will be out of town. Thank you to everyone who came for a tour this month! We look forward to seeing many of you at the farm in October for our annual CSA Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 18th!

IN THE BOX

I try to stay away from my oven in the summer. The house stays cooler and it gives me a good excuse to put everything on the grill! The zucchini and salad turnips can be sliced, coated with oil and grilled until tender. Then I usually toss them with some olive oil, crushed garlic, lemon juice, Parmesan and s&p to taste. Summer herbs like mint, parsley, fresh oregano and thyme are wonderful thrown in too!

White Salad Turnips - Slice in a salad, sprinkle with a little sea salt as an appetizer, or grill! Save the greens and try my recipe for turnip greens with garlic & Parmesan. Yum!
Zucchini - This is the first zuke harvest of the season, so they're small(er), tender and a favorite early-summer veg. The plants will continue to produce for a while, so you'll see these often in your summer shares.
Swiss Chard - So much beauty and delicious flavor! Try Emilie's recipe for a simple saute (see recipe section).
Batavian & Romaine Lettuce - Both of these lettuce varieties love the summer heat. Enjoy your crunchy cool salads for dinner on these hot summer nights.
Baby Toscano Kale - Are you a kale connoisseur yet? If so, you'll be excited to find this baby Toscano variety in this week's share! Kale salad is where it's at for me this week. Need a little inspiration? Here are 12 Kale Salad recipes that look amazing!

Bon appetit!
- Maggie

KIM'S NUTRITION CORNER...

Hello everyone! I hope the information on oils last week was useful to all of you when you are preparing different meals for you and your family. As I'm sure you noticed, there are many options and certainly it is important to use the best oil for the different ways you will be cooking throughout the seasons. Don't be afraid to research and experiment to see what works best for you.

This week I will be discussing smoothie recipes that incorporate "Superfoods."
>>READ MORE of my article SMOOTHIES 101...

Time is flying by...Happy Summer!

All the best, Kim

"A bird sitting on a tree branch is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on its own wings. Always believe in yourself." (Author unkown)

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays). Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian & Orlando look forward to seeing you there!

THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES

JUNE 23, 24, 25 & 26

White Salad Turnips - 1 bunch
Zucchini - several pieces
Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Green Romaine Lettuce - 1 head
Red Batavian Lettuce - 1 head
Baby Toscano Kale - 1 bunch

*The contents of the share may change through the week as we monitor the fields and harvest what is at its peak.

Clockwise from top: Red Batavian Lettuce, Green Romaine Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Baby Toscano Kale, Zucchini, White Salad Turnips

STORAGE TIPS

In a bag in the fridge...
Lettuce, Kale, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Zucchini

RECIPES

• Turnip Greens with Garlic & Parmesan
• Roasted Zucchini with Ricotta & Mint (Instead of roasting, try grilling the zucchini instead!)
• Simple Sauteed Swiss Chard from The Clever Carrot

CSA ListebJune 23, 2015

CSA 2015 - Week #4

NEWS FROM THE FARM

We've been busy here, what else is new? Your farmers are working long 7-day weeks getting crops seeded, transplanted, fertilized, irrigated and cultivated. The hot weather this past week really got things growing! We have a super delicious share this week, full of some of my favorite summer veggies including fennel and escarole!

While there is no U-Pick Strawberries this season, we encourage you to come visit the farm. Farm Tours will still take place at the farm during the month of June on Saturdays at 1pm.

IN THE BOX

Fennel - Most people think of this as a "love it or hate it" veg. But let me tell you that when you cook fennel, it looses a lot of its "licorice" flavor and mellows out so nicely. So even if you think you don't like fennel, try my recipe for braised fennel and see what you think.
Red Romaine Lettuce - This is a lettuce variety that you'll never find in stores. I am totally in love with its rich leaf color and flavor. Make a huge Caesar salad for dinner and top it off with some chicken or tempeh or shrimp.... the heads are so large that you'll have enough to feed the neighbors too!
Toscano Kale - This is the kale variety that you'll most likely be familiar with. Also known as "dinosaur" kale, the leaves are sturdy and I generally prefer to cook them in a soup to soften them to taste. Try my recipe for White Bean & Kale soup which is one of our family's favorites!
Escarole - This looks a lot like a head of lettuce, but look carefully and you'll notice that it has frilly leaves and a white center. The flavor is usually slightly bitter, but the growing conditions have been ideal and its bitter flavor is very mild. Traditionally, the inside leaves are best for raw salads (it pairs wonderfully with gruyere cheese - see recipe) and the outside leaves are delicious cooked or in soups. The escarole & pine nuts recipes is very simple, and very delicious.
Bok Choi - There are so many ways to prepare bok choi. I usually throw it in a stir fry, but I tried roasting it the other night and it was a hit!

Not sure what to do with your extra CSA produce at the end of the week? "Juice it, roast it or throw it in a soup!"

Bon appetit!
- Maggie

THE BEST OILS TO USE IN YOUR CSA KITCHEN

Kim is back with an excellent (and exhaustive) guide to cooking oils. Be sure to click below to read the full article.

Oils (or some type of fat) are the base of practically everything we make in the kitchen. Whether we're drizzling it over a salad or using it in a pan to saute vegetables, we need to be sure that we're using the healthiest, safest and best tasting oils for each recipe.

It's important to get a mix of fat types from whole, unprocessed, high-quality foods. These include nuts, seeds (hemp, flax, and chia are especially nutritious), fish, seaweed, pasture-raised/grass-fed animals/eggs, olives, avocado, coconut, and cacao nibs. Avoid industrially processed, artificially created, and factory farmed foods, which contain unhealthy fats.

>>Read More

WANT MORE BEHIND-THE-SCENES? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Get up-to-the-moment posts from the fields, the barn, the farmhouse kitchen and more!

VISIT THE FARM
Our Farm Shop in Jamesport is open Fridays from 10-6 and Saturdays from 9-5 all season long. All members receive 10% off their purchases in our shop! Farm Tours are held every Saturday in June at 1pm. Free for CSA members and their families.

STOCK YOUR CSA KITCHEN PANTRY!
New to CSA? The best place to start is in your pantry. A well-stocked pantry can help you get through your shares each week. Alexa Weitzman of Susatinable Pantry shares some great advice in our "Stocking Your CSA Pantry" Kitchen Guide.

VISIT OUR FARMERS' MARKETS
Can't get enough of our veggies? Some of our best Farmers' Market customers are our CSA members! Stock up on more of the goodness you get in your shares at our markets in Port Washington (Saturdays), Islip (Saturdays) and Huntington (Sundays) - ALL NOW OPEN! Visit our website to learn more about our markets and find a map! Brian looks forward to seeing you there!