As we ease into the third week of harvests, we are faced with a farming dilemma. What do we do when our carefully planned (and spaced) lettuce plantings all ripen at the same time? I guess we ask everyone to PLEASE make lots of salad! These baby Romaines weren't supposed to be ready until next week, but they're ready now! Some crops like lettuce can't just hang out in the fields and wait their turn. When they're ready, they're ready!

PRO TIP: Feeling overwhelmed with greens? Spend 15 minutes washing ALL your lettuce and cooking greens as soon as you get a chance. Wash, spin dry and store in an airtight container (ziplock bag works) so you're ready to pull out the leaves for salads all week. Also, whip up a big jar of salad dressing so you can get your salad on the table in less than 60 seconds!

This week's harvest

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

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

"Cross Your Heart" Mini Romaine Lettuce
These are the most beautiful mini Romaines that are all tender heart leaves inside!  The heads are very solid, and you'll love the texture and flavor.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Green Kale
Excellent variety of kale for Kale Chips and for green smoothies! 
The flavor is sweet and mellow.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses:Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Kohlrabi
This is an unusual looking veg that's a member of the cabbage family, but has a much sweeter and crisper taste.  Peel off the thick skin and slice thinly as a snack, julienne for a slaw, or cut into matchsticks and roast up as fries!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Remember to remove the thick skin!
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Parsley
When you're faced with a bunch of parsley, think of making it the star of the show and not just a garnish.  I LOVE parsley pesto.  It's great on crackers, a dollop on soups or even on pasta. 
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Napa Cabbage
A perfect size to make a delicious and crunchy Napa Cabbage salad.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Kohlrabi Fries
Parsley Pesto
Roasted Radishes with Feta Mint Sauce
Napa Cabbage Salad
Kale Chips - The BEST ones (not burned)
Simple Romaine Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Boston Lettuce Salad with Creamy Dressing from Jacques Pepin

Visit our website for a full database of beloved recipes to make good use of your veggies.

This week's harvest

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

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

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

Japanese Salad Turnips
These are a member favorite! They are best eaten raw (yes, raw!) as they're juicy and sweet.  The top greens are wonderful too, so don't toss them.  They're great cooked like spinach - sauteed quickly.  My favorite with eggs for breakfast.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. 
Remove the tops from the roots.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Toscano Kale
This is the variety that I love to use for kale salad or in soups.  Try one of this week's recipes!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses:Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Red Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Remember to remove the ribs which can get tough.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Cilantro
The farm boys, Galen and Zinny, wait all year for our own cilantro.  They eat it by the handful, thanks to growing up eating traditional Guatemalan and Mexian food from our beloved farm team members.  I love to zip up a quick pesto, but it's also wonderful in so many dishes.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Bok Choi
This is a wonderful Asian green that's perfect in a stir fry! Eat the whole thing - stem, leaf and all!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Raw Tuscan Kale Salad
Our favorite White Bean & Kale Soup
10 minute Stir Fried Bok Choi
Cilantro Rice
Cilantro Pesto

Visit our website for a full database of beloved recipes to make good use of your veggies.

We've been counting down the days to the first harvest of the season and it's finally here! Our first CSA box is full of lots of early season greens. No surprise there! This is what grows in our climate at this time of year. Tender arugula, red kale, two heads of our super soft Boston lettuces, mini broccoli and adorable French breakfast radishes.

Here's to a spectacular farming season with just the right amount of sunshine and rain, bountiful harvests, happy CSA members and good food for all! We hope to see you at the farm some time this season so you can connect with the land and see where your food comes from!

Thanks for choosing us to be your farmers!
Love, Maggie, Matt, Galen, Zinny and the GEOF Family

This week's harvest

Arugula
Very tender, harvested by hand.  Dress with a light vinaigrette. 
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Boston Lettuces - Red & Green
This variety has very soft leaves and only grows in the early weeks of the season. Dress lightly!  I love salads with this lettuce, toasted pine nuts, red onion and feta.  PRO TIP: Wash and spin dry the leaves and store in the fridge so they're ready to go for salads all week!
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

French Breakfast Radishes
A beautiful radish that has a funny shape this year!  We wonder if the seeds got mixed up or if this is a new variation with a more traditional shape?  Who knows, but they're still delicious!  My favorite way to enjoy them is eaten with butter and flaky salt.  (We've stocked this premium salt in our Farm Shop this season...it's that good!) Not a fan of the radish kick?  Roast them up in the oven with olive oil and salt & pepper to taste. I personally don't eat the greens, but some people do.  If you find some amazing recipe with them, do let me know!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. 
Remove the tops from the roots.
Uses: Raw/Cooked will mellow the kick
When to use: Within 5 days

Mini Broccoli
This is a fun new variety for us this season.  It's a broccoli that grows florets off the side of a main stem and produces constantly for about a month.  So far we love the flavor and we hope you do too!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Red Kale
This kale is great steamed and tossed with olive oil, fresh pressed garlic and umeboshi vinegar.  It's our go-to greens dish as a side to most meals in our family. When the kale is this size, it has a stronger flavor.  I tend to prefer it cooked, in soups, etc. Remove the ribs which can get tough.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Recipes!

Perfect Salad & Vinaigrette
Radishes with Butter & Salt
Kale with an Umeboshi Tahini Sauce
Roasted Radishes
Simple Chinese Steamed Broccoli

Visit our website for a full database of beloved recipes to make good use of your veggies.

This is week #24 out of 25 weeks. Next week is our final week of the season.

It's hard to believe that the season is almost over! The weeks fly by when you're having fun and up to your ears in non-stop work. We're looking forward to a nice break from the wild farming life and to spending some much-needed family time together this winter.

FINAL CALL for Christmas Trees. They are gorgeous and so fragrant! We brought some boughs down to decorate the farm shop this weekend and the whole truck smells like the holidays! Get your orders in here.

This week's harvest

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

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

Watermelon Radish
When sliced, these look like watermelon with their red and green-ringed flesh. Delicious sliced very thinly raw or roasted. There are some growth cracks in these radishes from the heavy rains a few weeks ago. They have more cosmetic damage than usual - sorry! They're still totally edible and delicious. I love them roasted!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

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

Japanese Salad Turnips
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens before storing. EAT the greens! They are the best.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Romanesco Cauliflower
Who waits all season for this? I DO! Roasted is divine.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

The Fruit Share has ended.

Recipes!

Roasted Romanesco Cauliflower
Roasted Turnips with Wilted Turnip Greens
Fried Rice with Kale, Squash & Chestnuts
Watermelon Radish, Orange & Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted Watermelon Radish with Lemon & Herbs

This is week #23 out of 25 weeks.
Our CSA program ends the week before Thanksgiving this year.

We're expecting a patchy frost to hit on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week. Luckily most of our crops in the fields can handle the dip in temperatures, and in fact, become sweeter from a little frosty nip! Cabbages, collards, kales turn some of their starches into sugars from exposure to freezing temperatures!

This week's harvest

Red Radicchio
This chicory it is not too bitter, but can be cooked to remove any hint of bitterness if that's not something you prefer. Raw in a salad, it pairs very well with a lemon vinaigrette and a shaved hard cheese like Parmesan.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Collards
Collards for breakfast! Try them cut into ribbons, sauteed with garlic and olive oil as a side to your eggs. Greens with every meal!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Leeks
The secret ingredient for all the best soups! A few weeks ago I posted a video showing the best way to prep them Look for it!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Green Round Cabbage
This fall cabbage is super sweet!
Great for warming stir-fries this time of year.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Sweet Potatoes
Stick a few in the oven the next time it's on. Baked sweet potatoes are super easy and can be reheated for side-dishes in a snap. Farmer Matt also wants me to mention how much he loves them for breakfast.
Storage: In a cool, NOT COLD dry spot. DO NOT STORE IN THE FRIDGE.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

White Eva Potatoes
These white potatoes are great baked!
Storage: In a cool, dry and DARK SPOT. Keep inside a paper bag if they are exposed to the light. They need to stay dark - don't eat any potatoes with green flesh.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Winesap, Jonagold, Golden Delicious & Red Delicious - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Roasted Radicchio Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Manchego
Sweet Potato Pie
Sauteed Collard Greens with Garlic (for breakfast or any time!)
Indian Cabbage Stir Fry

For those who are counting, this is week #22 out of 25 weeks. Our CSA program ends the week before Thanksgiving this year.

And since so many of you are asking....

No, there will be no official Winter Share, but we expect to have a few winter pick-ups at the farm with pre-ordered boxes of root vegetables. We will send out an e-mail with details about this in December.

YES, we will have Christmas Trees from our farmland in Vermont for sale! Stay tuned for more details coming this week. There is a shortage of trees in the country, so we know that many of you are eager to get on the list!

2022 CSA plans will be coming in January or February, so please be patient. Since you are a member this year, you will receive an e-mail from us in early 2022 detailing our offerings once we decide what they are!

Thank you!
Maggie & Matt

This week's harvest

Bel Fiore Radicchio
This is a beatufiul heirloom radicchio. It is NOT VERY BITTER, but has a mild and nutty flavor. It pairs very well with a lemon vinaigrette and a shaved hard cheese like Parmesan.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Red Radishes
Anyone else loving their fall radishes with butter and flakes of salt?
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Remove the greens from the roots before storing.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Astro Arugula
Together with the radicchio, this makes a wonderful salad pair. We love this Astro variety for its flavor and soft leaf texture.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 2 days

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

Sweet Potatoes
Storage: In a cool, NOT COLD (No fridge!), dry spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

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

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Empire, Winesap and Golden Delicious Apples - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Arugula, Radicchio & Parmesan Salad
Cauliflower & Chickpeas in a Mustard Vinaigrette
Kale Broth with Turkey Meatballs

The weather shifted this afternoon and it finally feels a lot more like fall. Our fields are brimming with fall greens, root veggies and specialty crops like this week's fennel and pointed cabbage. There's nothing better than fall cooking - soups, roasts and stews to warm your kitchens, bodies and hearts. Bon appetit!

This week's harvest

"Sweetheart" Pointed European Cabbage
Sweeter and more tender than its green cabbage cousin.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

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

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

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

Butternut Squash
Storage: On the counter in a cool, dry spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

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

Nicola Potatoes
The BEST waxy yellow potatoes.  So special because you can never find these in stores...just straight from your farmer!  Wonderful roasted.
Storage: In a cool, DARK spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Jonagold Apple & Bartlett Pears - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Roasted Fennel & Potatoes
Roasted Pointed Cabbage with Tahini Sauce

This week's harvest

Leeks
HOW TO: How to prepare leeks!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

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

Purple Fall Radishes
Oh my, we got two weeks out of one planting! Not intended, but a nice surprise!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Acorn Squash
Storage: On the counter in a cool, dry spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

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

"Charming" Mini Sweet Romaine
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

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

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

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

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Farmer's Choice - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Braised Leeks with Lemon
Orange Romaine Salad
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

Look at these pretty salad turnips! They love growing in the cool weather of early June and October and November. We're happy to have them back in the shares this week! Don't forget to cook up the greens!

This week's harvest

Mini Mustard Greens Mix
We're so excited to have our *favorite* mustard greens back this fall! It's best eaten raw in a salad at this tiny size. The leaves are delicately peppery (not spicy) and will not hold up to cooking. Toss with a vinaigrette for a very special fall salad. This is never found in stores...exclusive to your CSA.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

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

Purple Fall Radishes
A wonderful variety with deep purple skin and white flesh. Not spicy when grown in the cool fall weather.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Japanese Salad Turnips
Don't forget that the turnip greens are as delicious as the roots and the roots can be eaten raw. They're back for the fall!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Butternut Squash
Don't be afraid of cutting into your squash. Here's a VIDEO to show you how!
Storage: On the counter in a cool, dry spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

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

"Charming" Mini Sweet Romaine
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Seckel Pears, Red Delicious and Gala Apples - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Romaine Salad with Apples, Red Onion & Cider Vinaigrette
Butternut Pie (better than pumpkin!)
Skillet Scallions

It's a week to celebrate the sweet crunch of fall lettuces, cabbage, hand-picked green beans and kale. If the greens are too much for you to manage this week, remember that the kale freezes beautifully for you to use in soups and cooked dishes later in the season. Just wash the leaves and toss in an air-tight container in the freezer. Ziplocs work well. The lettuces and cabbage should be eaten fresh this week! Enjoy the fall greens bounty!

This week's harvest

Green Cabbage
Extremely sweet variety. Great raw for slaws and salads or in soups.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 2 days

Toscano Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked is best
When to use: Within 5 days

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

Spaghetti Squash
This is to EAT!  Not for decoration.  Please eat within the week.
VIDEO: Here's how to prepare spaghetti squash!
Storage: On the counter in a cool, dry spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days

A FESTIVAL OF LETTUCE!
Why so much lettuce, you say?  Are your farmers trying to punish you with endless salads this week?  No, no, no!  These three lettuces were planted to be harvested in succession, not all in one week.  However, Mother Nature had other plans, and we had to harvest them all this week or they would bolt, rendering them inedible. Here's my recommendation....  Wash them up and enjoy crunchy fall salads at every meal.  We are nearing the end of the head lettuces for the season, so they will be gone before you know it! 

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

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

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

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Bartlett Pears & Gala Apples - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Tuscan White Bean & Kale Soup
Romaine Salad with Oranges & Walnuts

We have a beautiful box of fall salad and cooking greens this week and some last-chance summer gems. This is the end of the tomatoes and watermelon for the season. Coming up? Winter squash, root vegetables & more!

This week's harvest

Baby Arugula
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 2 days

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

Purple Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked is best
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.

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

Yellow *Seedless* Watermelon
Storage: In the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Surprise! - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Purple Kale Salad with Apples & Pecans
10 Lovely Parley Recipes from the Guardian

It's just the third week of September and the shares are screaming "fall"! Acorn squash, broccoli and kale is back! Farmer Matt planted some fall radishes for me (because I love them so) and I'm sharing them with you.
Bon appetit!

This week's harvest

Toscano Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked is best
When to use: Within 5 days

Kohlrabi
These are exceptional when peeled and sliced thinly as a snack.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days

Acorn Squash
An early fall season winter squash.  Slice in half (lengthwise) and place face down on a baking sheet or dish.  Bake at 350F until the flesh is soft.  Serve with butter and salt & pepper.
Storage: On the counter for up to 5 days.
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.

Mini Broccoli (Broccolini)
Eat the whole thing - stems, florets and leaves! 
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days

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

Briermere Farm Fruit Share

Bartlett, Red Bartlett Pears, Gala & Zestar Apples - 1 mixed bag

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

Recipes!

Braised Kohlrabi
Roasted Acorn Squash
Garlicky Broccolini