I'm not sure if anyone is missing my chatty newsletters, but I've been taking a little break to get my life in order, the kids back to homeschool and all that comes with busy weeknight evenings in the farmhouse: cooking, laundry, piano practicing, chess games, baseball and romping around the garden. I'll be back with an update from the fields (and yes, photos!) within the next week or so. Until then, I hope you're all enjoying my favorite month...September! -Maggie

This week's harvest

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Nearly a pound of cherries!
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep orange.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within a day when ripe

Red Beets
The green tops got damaged from the rain the past few weeks.  You can compost... they are not great for eating this time around.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Long Green Peppers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Red Tomatoes
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep red.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within a day when ripe.

Green Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Walla Walla OR Red Onions
These are very perishable and need to be eaten immediately!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 2 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Bartlett Pears & Zestar Apples - 1 mixed bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Recipes!

Green Beans with Tomatoes
Beet, Goat Cheese & Walnut Tart
Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar

This week's harvest

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Nearly a pound of cherries!
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep orange.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within a day when ripe

Cilantro
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Long Green Peppers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Red Tomatoes
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep red.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within a day when ripe.

Baby Leeks!
We've tried growing these summer baby leeks.  Super tender and sweet.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Red Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Potatoes
Storage: In a cool, DARK place.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Some members may also receive an additional ITEM IN ROTATION.

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Yellow & Donut Peaches - 1 mixed bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Recipes!

Check our website for great recipes!

This week's harvest

Watermelon
Another week of these beauties! Make sure that you store the melon in your fridge - NOT on the counter.
Storage: In the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Green OR Yellow Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Best Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Basil
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep orange.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within a day when ripe

Red Tomatoes
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep red.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within a day when ripe.

Arugula
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Red Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sweet Corn
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 2 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Yellow & Donut Peaches - 1 mixed bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Maybe the best week of the summer season? Sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, watermelon, crunchy lettuce and summer greens! Something for everyone!

Bon appétit, friends!

This week's harvest

Red Mini Watermelon
Another week of these beauties! Make sure that you store the melon in your fridge - NOT on the counter.
Storage: In the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Red Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Green OR Yellow Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Best Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Summer Collards
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Storage: On the counter - ripe when deep orange.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Parsley
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw or Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sweet Corn
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 2 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Peaches & Pears - 1 mixed bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Recipes!

Zucchini with Parsley & Garlic
Baked Eggs with Garlicky Collard Greens
Rainbow Collard Wraps (Vegan) with Peanut Dipping Sauce

We have watermelons in the VEGETABLE shares for everyone this week! They are Certified Organic, grown on our farm and most importantly, they are an old-fashioned variety that have SEEDS!

FRUIT SHARES from Briermere Farm are here!
The fruit is NOT INCLUDED in the vegetable share. You must pay for it separately. If you paid for the fruit it will say "FRUIT" next to your name on the check-in sheet. If it does not say "FRUIT" next to your name, DO NOT TAKE A BAG OF FRUIT. The fruit share will consist of one bag of fruit per PAID FRUIT SHARE MEMBER each week. Look for the fruit bags in open plastic crates at the site starting this week. Questions? Let us know!

This week's harvest

Red Watermelon
With SEEDS!  You just can't find these old fashioned, sweet varieties anymore. Make sure that you store the melon in your fridge - NOT on the counter.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Red Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Green & Yellow Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Best Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Yellow Wax Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Baby Arugula
This is hand-harvested and EXTREMELY TENDER.  Wash very gently and dress lightly.  It will wilt quickly, so eat right away. How about tonight?
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 2 days

Fennel
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw or Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Freshly-dug New Potatoes
These are freshly-dug, so they are full of moisture and will cook very quickly!
Storage: In a cool, DARK location.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share - Peaches & Apricots - 1 mixed bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Recipes!

Potato Salad with Beans & Salsa Verde
Shaved Zucchini & Fennel Salad

Happy August! We're excited for all the great crops that we start harvesting in late summer. Farmer Matt is seeding our fall carrots this week and our crew has been working like crazy to hand harvest the beautiful, tender arugula and the sweet wax beans for you. These two crops are super time-intensive to harvest by hand. I'm sure you will enjoy them and think about the hands that work hard to feed you each week!
A huge THANK YOU is owed to our amazing crew!

FRUIT SHARES from Briermere Farm begin this week!
The fruit is NOT INCLUDED in the vegetable share. You must pay for it separately. If you paid for the fruit it will say "FRUIT" next to your name on the check-in sheet. If it does not say "FRUIT" next to your name, DO NOT TAKE A BAG OF FRUIT. The fruit share will consist of one bag of fruit per PAID FRUIT SHARE MEMBER each week. Look for the fruit bags in open plastic crates at the site starting this week. Questions? Let us know!

This week's harvest

Sweet Corn
From our friend, Rick Petersen. This is Certified Organic and grown with the same growing methods as we use on our own farm.
HOW TO COOK CORN:  Boil a pot of water.  When it comes to a rolling boil, put the shucked ears of corn in the water and turn off the stove.  Put a lid on the pot and let it sit in the water for 3 minutes.  Then take it out and it will be ready to eat!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Green Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Long Red Onions
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked/Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Yellow Wax Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Baby Arugula
This is hand-harvested and EXTREMELY TENDER.  Wash very gently and dress lightly.  It will wilt quickly, so eat right away. How about tonight?
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 2 days

Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Culinary Mint
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Or bouquet-style in a glass of water up to a day on the counter.
Uses: Raw/Cooked in dishes
When to use: Within 2 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Yellow Peaches - 1 bag

The Fruit Share is a separate share from the Vegetables. It is not included.

Recipes!

Simple Sauteed Wax Beans
29 Recipe Ideas for Swiss Chard (because you may need them!)

This week's harvest

Green Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Scallions
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked/Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Green Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Walla Walla Onions
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Green Cabbage
A great variety for stir-fries
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Basil
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Or bouquet-style in a glass of water up to a day on the counter.
Uses: Raw is best
When to use: Within 2 days

Cucumber
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Green Beans with Garlic & Toasted Almonds
Caramelized Walla Walla Sweet Onions
Swiss Chard with Chickpeas & Poached Eggs

This week's harvest

Green Beans
Hand-harvested, tender haricot verts!  These are extremely special! 
Steam gently and don't overcook!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Fresh Garlic
Storage: On the counter up to a month.
Uses: Raw/Cooked

Culinary Mint
This mint is delicious in culinary dishes or in drinks.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Napa Cabbage
A great variety for stir-fries
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Walla Walla Onions
A fresh-eating onion that has a mild, sweet flavor.  Great in salads or you can caramelize them!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Basil
This is a new planting.  Those of you who have been members for many years will remember that it became nearly impossible to grow basil in the Northeast for a few years due to fungal diseases.  Now we have resistant varieties that are allowing for a basil come-back!  We couldn't be happier!  Stocking our freezer with basil pesto for the winter.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Or bouquet-style in a glass of water up to a day on the counter.
Uses: Raw is best
When to use: Within 3 days  

Recipes!

Swiss Chard Gratin
Stir-fried Napa Cabbage with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Stewed Zucchini with Basil & Mint
Grilled Walla Walla Onions

This unsettled weather is proving challenging for us! Whenever it rains, we're prevented from getting into the fields with the tractor for a few days. This throws off our field work schedule and then overloads us with an impossible list of tasks when the fields finally dry out. We can't win! :)

On a happier note, the tomatoes are looking beautiful, despite a touch of what might be *blight* from all this rain. We're keeping a close eye on it! The eggplants, peppers and other summer crops are also looking great.
All coming soon to the shares (in a few more weeks)!

LAST CALL FOR THE FRUIT SHARE! If you're still interested in adding on the Briermere Farm Fruit Share to your membership, there is still time! The Fruit Share begins in August and the deadline to add it on is July 16th.
E-mail Kelly in the farm office if you're interested!

This week's harvest

Red Batavian Lettuce
Crunchy and sweet!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Cucumbers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Carrots
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.  Remove the greens before storing.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Pointy "Sweetheart" Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Scallions
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Cucumber Salad with Scallions & Olives
Zucchini & Fresh Herb Fritters
Roasted Carrot & Avocado Salad

Summer is now in full swing and so are our summer crops! In addition to the zucchini, the cucumbers are starting to produce fruit this week. (Yes, cucumbers are technically a fruit!). The tomato plants are growing like crazy, but we won't see them for another month or so. Stay cool, friends!

LAST CALL FOR THE FRUIT SHARE! If you're still interested in adding on the Briermere Farm Fruit Share to your membership, there is still time! The Fruit Share begins in August and the deadline to add it on is July 16th.
E-mail Kelly in the farm office if you're interested!

This week's harvest

*Fresh* Garlic
This is *fresh* garlic, not dried. Unless you grow your own garlic, you would never otherwise get your hands on this delicacy. The cloves are juicy and sweet with an amazing garlic flavor. Store on the counter and enjoy fresh, or you can let them dry (if they are in a cool, dry spot), and they will store for a few months. 
Storage: On the counter in a cool, dry spot.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 14 days fresh or dried up to a few months

Green Batavian Lettuce
Crunchy and sweet!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Cucumbers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Carrots
Crunchy, sweet and delicious!  It will be hard to eat store-bought carrots ever again.  Sorry.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.  Remove the greens before storing.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Green Cabbage
This variety is especially sweet.  Great for summer salad slaws!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Basil
Pesto season is here!  It freezes like a dream (the pesto in a jar) and it's always the most coveted item in the freezer!  A taste of summer!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Zucchini
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Granny's French Swiss Chard
Fresh Basil Pesto - use the fresh garlic!
Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Saute

Fennel is ready this week! It's a brilliant veg with a distinct flavor that mellows when cooked. (It looses the licorice flavor in case it's not your favorite.) I love it sliced thinly in a salad with the radicchio, or you can braise it. The recipe below is a winner!

And in other news...The zucchini harvest has begun! We have to harvest from these plants every day because the zucchini grows so quickly. If we miss a day we end up with honkers (which nobody wants). Smaller is preferable when it comes to zucchini. ;) You can expect them in your shares every week for the next month or so. We'll give you a break and then they'll be back for round 2 later in the summer. Bon appetit!

This week's harvest

NOTE: The fruit share begins in August.

Fennel
The bulb (the white part) is the most edible part.  The stalks and fronts are too tough to eat, but they are great used in a soup stock. The recipe below for caramelized fennel will make a fennel lover out of anyone!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Romaine Lettuce
Crunchy and sweet!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Escarole
This is not lettuce!  You can tell it's escarole because it has frilly leaves and white stems in the center.  Escarole soup with white beans is a classic.  Recipe below!  If you want to eat it raw, the inner leaves are tender for a salad.  The outer leaves are best cooked.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

Basil
Pesto season is here!  It freezes like a dream (the pesto in a jar) and it's always the most coveted item in the freezer!  A taste of summer!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Zucchini
The first few pounds of many many more to come!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Radicchio
This cousin of escarole (another chicory, bitter green) is beautiful with its rich red color with white veins.  It's delicious as a salad dressed with olive oil & lemon juice, fresh garlic and shaved parmesan.  If the bitter flavor is not to your liking, it mellows when cooked.  You can even grill it!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Napa Cabbage
An excellent variety for stir-fries and crunchy salads!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Escarole & White Bean Salad with Fennel & Gruyere Cheese
Escarole & White Bean Soup
Caramelized Fennel with Goat Cheese - *Favorite Recipe*
Napa Cabbage Salad
Radicchio Salad with Manchego
Simple Grilled Radicchio

Happy Summer Solstice! We're harvesting an amazing share for you this week with beets, sugarloaf chicory and scallions. Enjoy!

This week's harvest

NOTE: The fruit share begins in August.

Scallions
Fresh green onions should be the star of the recipe.  Try scallion pancakes (recipe below) or grill them for 1-2 minutes over low.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Buttercrunch Lettuce
Crunchy and sweet!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Boston Lettuce
Soft, thick leaves make this early season variety really special.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Bok Choi
Eat the whole veg - leaves and stem!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the leaves
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Parsley
We love parsley in salads and soups.  It freshens up dishes with a wonderful flavor.  You can also stick it directly into a storage container (or bag) and put it in the freezer.  Break off and chop up a handful to add to soups in the future!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Red Beets
They're here at last! The beet greens are my favorite greens, so don't toss them!  You can cook them like spinach - excellent steamed with olive oil or butter and salt.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.  Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sugarloaf Chicory
This is a cousin of radicchio.  It has a slightly bitter flavor, which I love in salads paired with a sharp cheese and olive oil, lemon juice and fresh garlic.  If you're not a fan of bitter greens, saute it and it will mellow.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Japanese Salad Turnips
Enjoy raw or cooked - no need to peel.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Scallion Pancakes
Sheet Pan Chicken (or Tofu) with Scallions & Bok Choi
Julia Child's Perfect Roasted Beets