Plants 101 - 6 Vegetables that are actually the same plant!
Six vegetables you can find in any grocery store and which most people eat on a regular basis are actually all from this one plant. Over the last few thousand years, farmers have bred Brassica Oleracea into six "cultivars" that eventually became many of the vegetables we eat:
Brassica is also known as the wild mustard plant.
"The wild plant is a weedy little herb that prefers to grow on limestone outcroppings all around the coastal Mediterranean region," Jeanne Osnas, a researcher at Purdue University who blogs as "The Botanist in the Kitchen," writes in a blog post about Brassica Oleracea. "It is a biennial plant that uses food reserves stored over the winter in its rosette of leaves to produce a spike of a few yellow flowers at the end of its second summer before dying. Those nutritious leaves make its domesticated derivatives important food crops in much of the world now."
This one plant was selectively bred over hundreds of years to create dozens of wildly different vegetables. By selecting and breeding plants with bigger leaves, or larger buds, the different cultivars (also known as subspecies) were created.
Source: Skye Gould/Tech Insider
CSA - Bonus Week!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Matt and I are full of gratitude for our wonderful and supportive CSA community (that's you!) and our amazing farm team who helped us get through this challenging farming season. We managed to keep everyone healthy and grow food to safely feed our community for the full 25 weeks of the program. And now, here we are harvesting an additional full week of vegetables for each and every one of you. A BONUS week of veggies to make up for some of the lighter weeks back in the summer. A promise is a promise!
I'll be sending out an end-of-season farm letter in the next few weeks. Warmest wishes from all of us for a happy and healthy holiday season!
- Maggie, Farmer Matt, Galen, Zinny, Kelly & Crew
This week's harvest
Collards
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Sweet Potatoes
Storage: In a cool, dry (NOT COLD) location. Do not store in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Romanesco Cauliflower
A baby, but a beauty! A mathematic marvel and nutty too! Learn more about the Fibonacci Sequence here!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Yellow Potatoes
Storage: In a cool, dry and DARK spot.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Toscano Kale
A bag of medium-sized leaves.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Cabbage
Pointy, Green OR Savoy variety.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 6 days
Parsnips
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Carrots OR Beets OR Watermelon Radish
As we harvest what's left in the fields, you'll receive one (not all) of these items this week. This is a bonus week and we're gleaning the very last of what's available to harvest!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked/Raw
When to use: Within 10 days
Recipes!
Simple & Delicious Parsnip Recipes - From the Guardian
Parsnip & Chickpea Curry
Roasted Romanesco
Killer Collard Greens with Spiced Butter
CSA 2020 - Week #25
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! It's been an interesting growing season and we're really grateful for such beautiful harvests this fall after a bumpy late summer. Don't forget that this week is the final week of deliveries, but we're sending everyone a bonus delivery the week of November 30th!
No delivery next week.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday and we'll see you in 2 weeks!
**FINAL CALL!!!!** Christmas Trees! Our own organic Fraser Fir Christmas Trees are available for pre-order now and pick-up in November and December at the farm in Riverhead. We grow these gorgeous trees on our farmland in Vermont, cut them freshly for each order and bring them down here to Long Island. More details on our trees can be found here.
This week's harvest
Carrots
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the leaves.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Leeks
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Sweet Potatoes
Storage: In a cool, dry (NOT COLD) location. Do not store in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Watermelon Radish
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/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
Parsley
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Toscano Kale
Teeny tiny sized!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Savoy Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 6 days
Rutabaga
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 10 days
Recipes!
Watermelon Radish & Cilantro Salad
Savoy Cabbage with Chestnuts & Pancetta
Pureed Rutabaga with Pan-Fried Leeks
Sweet Potato Pie
CSA 2020 - Week #24
We're nearing the end of the growing season here on Long Island, and the end of our CSA program. Next week is the final week of our season. We will take off the week of Thanksgiving and then make a special BONUS DELIVERY the week of November 30th.
Plan your Thanksgiving Menu!
Farmer Matt expects to have the following items harvested for next week's shares. It's our best guess (no guarantees), but fingers crossed this is what you can expect next week:
Toscano Kale
Leeks
Savoy Cabbage
Carrots
Watermelon Radish
Sweet Potatoes
Rutabaga
Parsley
Fruit Shares have now ended.
Winter Veggies! In lieu of a traditional Winter CSA this season, we are going to offer all members the option of ordering online in December for pick-up at the farm in Riverhead. Depending on availability, we may extend future ordering dates in January and February. More details can be found here. Our traditional winter CSA should be back next season.
We just needed a little break... (Our kids miss us!)
Christmas Trees! Our own organic Fraser Fir Christmas Trees are available for pre-order now and pick-up in November and December at the farm in Riverhead. We grow these gorgeous trees on our farmland in Vermont, cut them freshly for each order and bring them down here to Long Island. More details on our trees can be found here.
CSA 2021! Many of you are already thinking towards next year...we get it! Going back to grocery store produce after CSA membership is a bummer. We are going to be offering a limited number of CSA shares next season, so we will only be taking returning members and the spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in early winter 2021. We will e-mail everyone when we open registrations at that time. More details to come.
Enjoy these last few weeks of harvests! - Maggie & Farmer Matt
This week's harvest
Carrots
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the leaves.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Cauliflower
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Sugarloaf Chicory OR Collards
Item in Rotation
This chicory is a sibling of the radicchio in this week's share. It is wonderful mixed with the radicchio in salads or you can grill it! Check out some recipe ideas here...
Collards perfect in soups this time of year.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Potatoes (White)
Storage: On the counter.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Green Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Beets (Golden, Red or Chioggia)
The leaves got pretty damaged from the two frosts we've had. You can discard if they're not good.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Recipes!
Potato & Cauliflower Chowder
Ina Garten's Stuffed Cabbage
Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage
CSA 2020 - Week #23
Happy November! A few important reminders as we near the end of the season...
Mark your calendars! This is week 23 out of a 25-week program. Our final delivery of the season will be the week of November 16th. We will take off the week of Thanksgiving and then make a special BONUS DELIVERY the week of November 30th.
Fruit Shares end this week. This is the final week of the 14-week program.
Winter Veggies! In lieu of a traditional Winter CSA this season, we are going to offer all members the option of ordering online in December for pick-up at the farm in Riverhead. Depending on availability, we may extend future ordering dates in January and February. More details can be found here. Our traditional winter CSA should be back next season.
We just needed a little break... (Our kids miss us!)
Christmas Trees! Our own organic Fraser Fir Christmas Trees are available for pre-order now and pick-up in November and December at the farm in Riverhead. We grow these gorgeous trees on our farmland in Vermont, cut them freshly for each order and bring them down here to Long Island. More details on our trees can be found here.
CSA 2021! Many of you are already thinking towards next year...we get it! Going back to grocery store produce after CSA membership is a bummer. We are going to be offering a limited number of CSA shares next season, so we will only be taking returning members and the spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in early winter 2021. We will e-mail everyone when we open registrations at that time. More details to come.
Enjoy these last few weeks of harvests! - Maggie & Farmer Matt
This week's harvest
Red Radicchio
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Romaine OR Red Boston Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
Cauliflower
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
Collards
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Butternut Squash
Storage: On the counter.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Salad Turnips
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Chioggia Beets
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
**FINAL WEEK of FRUIT SHARE**
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Honeycrisp & Golden Delicious Apples
Recipes!
Roasted Cauliflower with Chickpeas, Parsley and Mustard - Star Recipe!
Butternut Squash Risotto
Autumn Radicchio Salad with Olives & Parmesan
CSA 2020 - Week #22
We have another gorgeous harvest this week! Many of the cool early-season favorites are back again for a second appearance this fall. Enjoy!
This week's harvest
Bel Fiore Radicchio
This purple speckled chicory is a very special heirloom variety from Italy. The leaves are very tender and it's perfect raw in a salad. See recipe below.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw/Cooked
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
Red Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Fennel
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Pointy Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Sweet Potatoes
Storage: On the counter - not in the fridge
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
French Breakfast Radishes
I'm loving these radishes with butter and salt...an early season favorite is back one last time!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Red Beets
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Farmer’s Choice
Recipes!
Braised Fennel with Capers, Olives & Ricotta
Simple Oven Roasted Beets
Roast Cabbage with Pecorino
CSA 2020 - Week #21
I think you're all going to love this week's big, beautiful kohlrabi. I've been enjoying it a lot recently and found some great new recipes that I wanted to share below. One is a kohlrabi salad/slaw with cilantro, lime and jalapeno. It's really good and stores well in the fridge. The other recipe is for roasted kohlrabi and parmesan where it takes the place of potatoes. The kids can't get enough! Bon appetit, friends! Be well.
This week's harvest
Kohlrabi
This is a wonderful, yet often misunderstood veg. Peel the thick skin and enjoy sliced with a sprinkle of salt. Or, cut up in chunks and roast in the oven with some fresh herbs. It's one of our kids' favorite snacks!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Romaine Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
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
Escarole
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Butternut Squash
Storage: On the counter
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Green Long Peppers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Jonagold and Macoun Apples
Recipes!
Kohlrabi Salad with Cilantro & Lime
Fall Kale Salad with Squash (Use this week's Butternut!)
Roasted Kohlrabi & Parmesan
My favorite Parsley, Kale & Berry Smoothie (I drink green smoothies twice a day - a great way to get your greens!)
Super Simple Escarole and Beans
Skillet Potatoes with Peppers and Onions
CSA 2020 - Week #20
We've reached week 20 of this season's CSA with just 5 more weeks to go, plus a bonus week for everyone. Farming days are long, but the weeks fly by. Very similar to life with kids! Please mark your calendars for the final regular week of deliveries (week 25), Tuesday, November 17. We will skip the week of Thanksgiving and make your final BONUS delivery on Tuesday, December 1. Delivery day and time the same as always.
This week's harvest
Green Cabbage
Sweet and crunch!
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Red Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
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
White Salad Turnips
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens to keep them fresh. The greens are delicious, don't discard!
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Cilantro
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Green Beans
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Butternut Squash
Storage: On the counter
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Colored Peppers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Recipes!
Turnips & Turnip Greens and Sausage Stew
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup with Smoke Paprika & Cilantro
Cilantro Vinaigrette
The Simplest Sauteed Cabbage
CSA 2020 - Week #19
Japanese salad turnips are back this week! The kids enjoy snacking on the roots dipped in hummus. I like the greens sauteed gently with my eggs for breakfast. A true two-for-one veg! Bon appetit!
This week's harvest
Sweet Potatoes
Yummy, fresh sweet potatoes are full of moisture and have a great texture.
Storage: In a cool, NOT COLD spot. Do not refrigerate!
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Romaine Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
Collards OR Swiss Chard
ITEM IN ROTATION
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
White Salad Turnips
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the greens to keep them fresh. The greens are delicious, don't discard!
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Parsley
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Baby Bok Choi
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Farmer's Choice Item
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Farmer's Choice!
Recipes!
10 minute Garlic Bok Choi
Simple Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup
CSA 2020 - Week #18
We welcome October later this week and the fall harvests just keep on coming! Beautiful leeks and more acorn squash in the box, plus our special purple radishes (great roasted!) and crunchy sweet lettuce. Enjoy!
A Note on our Harvest Festival
We've been hosting our wonderful CSA community at the farm for over 20 years. Back in the "old days" Farmer Matt and I would cook homemade soup for everyone. We'd spend the day before the festival chopping onions, garlic, celery and onions and trying to figure out how to fit 4 huge pots of bubbling soups on the stove top. (They never did fit all at once...we'd cook them in batches and then drive them over to the farm trying to not spill them all over the back of the car.) French Lentil and Butternut Squash soup were always the most popular, but we also made Spicy Black Bean, Minestrone and Potato Leek. Those were the days before we had farm babies and when we had time to play hooky from farming and spend the day in the kitchen cooking for our members. It was the best way we could think of to say "thank you" for joining us in partnership for the season. So while we have to cancel this year's festival due to COVID restrictions, and we now have too many members for us to cook soup for, we do still feel the very same way about all of you and we are grateful for your support of our family farm. By joining our CSA, you have voted with your dollar to support a better food system that puts your health and the health of our community and our environment at the forefront. Thank you, friends. We couldn't do this without you. - Maggie & Matt
Winter CSA Hiatus
Please note that we are not offering a CSA Winter Share this year. It's been a tough growing season, so everything in the fields will be harvested for our regular season members (that's you!). We also need a little breather to spend time as a family while our kiddos are young and still think it's cool to hang out with their parents. Farming is rough on families. And finally, COVID restrictions may make indoor locations for winter CSA pick-up impossible to accommodate. So for all those reasons, no winter CSA, but we'll be back in the spring!
This week's harvest
Acorn Squash
The acorns are the first of the winter squash that's ready to harvest. You can roast them whole, yes, whole, sitting on a pan in the oven. When they're tender, just cut open and scoop out the seeds. I like to serve the flesh mashed with butter and salt & pepper. The perfect taste of fall!
Storage: On the counter
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Red Batavian Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
Red Kale
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Fall Purple Radishes
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Napa Cabbage
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Leeks
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Eggplant
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Farmer's Choice!
Recipes!
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ottolenghi's Braised Eggs with Leeks and Za'atar
Chinese Restaurant Style Stir Fried Napa Cabbage
Greek-Style Eggplant Stew
CSA 2020 - Week #17
Happy Fall! We're excited for this week's acorn squash...the first winter squash of the season! It cooks up really easily - see instructions below.
This week's harvest
Acorn Squash
The acorns are the first of the winter squash that's ready to harvest. You can roast them whole, yes, whole, sitting on a pan in the oven. When they're tender, just cut open and scoop out the seeds. I like to serve the flesh mashed with butter and salt & pepper. The perfect taste of fall!
Storage: On the counter
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Lettuce
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 5 days
Swiss Chard
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Cilantro
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days
Long Green Peppers
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Blue Potatoes
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Mixed Apples - Gala, Cortland & Gingergold
Recipes!
Simple Roast Acorn Squash
Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce
Swiss Chard & Chickpea Soup
CSA 2020 - Week #16
We have a wonderful fall harvest for you this week! Leeks and our new favorite Esmee Arugula is on the menu! Bon appetit!
This week's harvest
Leeks
These beautiful leeks were seeded back at the end of March....nearly 6 months from seed to harvest! They are such a wonderful fall crop, adding delicious flavor to soups or enjoyed braised on their won.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Parsley
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 fays
Esmee Arugula (unwashed)
Many thanks to Farmer Galen for selecting this special arugula variety. It has a wonderful leaf texture and flavor - very different from other arugula varieties. We did not wash it prior to bagging to retain its freshness. Please wash gently before serving.
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge
Uses: Raw
When to use: Within 3 days
Napa Cabbage OR Bunching Broccoli
ITEMS IN ROTATION
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 3 days
Radishes
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the roots from the leaves.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Carrots
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Raw/Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
Eggplant
Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge.
Uses: Cooked
When to use: Within 5 days
BRIERMERE FARM FRUIT SHARE - Harvest Selection by the Fruit Farmer
Recipes!
Tender Braised Leeks
Eggplant "Meatballs" (vegetarian)
Carrot and Leek Soup
Sicilian Caponata