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9.30.2014

share details-sept/oct split

SHARE OFFERING:
BEETS
BRUSSEL tops
CELERY
LEEKS
fresh PEANUTS
salem POTATOES
ROSEMARY
delicata SQUASH
PEANUTS in the North Country, what?! Each year at littleGrasse we grow a showcase plot of short-season peanuts to diversify the garden and spark conversation. Each share will receive 1 cup which is enough to say you've roasted local peanuts! Then we'll have enough remaining to save for next season's planting stock. The roasting process is a simple one in the oven and all manner of spices and salt can be added. The peanuts can then be snacks or crushed atop a savory or sweet dish.

The POTATO crop has been quite abundant! We have enough to offer a different variety each week. So far you've received Red Norland and purple Libby. This week is white SALEM. This variety is moist and excellent for boiling, mashing & casseroles.  When fried, the skin will tend to be crispy, with a creamy inside. 

The BRUSSELL caps are the tops of the brussels sprout plant. They can be used in any recipe calling for cabbage and collards (same family). We prune the top of the plant to promote larger sprout growth. It's a great way to use more of the plant. 

The deer are descending on the remaining GREENS in the fields (spinach, kale, chard, collards). Periodically we put Rye as nightime watch dog in various fields, to fend off munching animals. We'll do our best to protect the remaining greens for the final three distributions. Overall, the final outdoor planting of spinach has been growing sluggishly. We had intended to distribute it already, but there is not enough for all shareholders at this point. Hopefully in the coming weeks there will be.

9.25.2014

adjustments for travelers at Fall Break

We know that St. Lawrence has their mid-semester break from Thursday October 9th-12th. We offer the option to all Friday shareholders to pick up on Tuesday instead.

FRIDAY FOLKS: If you plan to be away that weekend, mark, 'AWAY FOR BREAK,' in the notes section on the sign in sheet of the share barn.

THANK YOU.


9.23.2014

share details-late september

share offering:
CARROT
EDAMAME SOY BEAN
KALE
purple POTATO
sweet ONION
hot PEPPER
SWEET PEPPER
daikon RADISH
PIE PUMPKIN

FAREWELL peppers! We wish it was a hotter season and we had more of you and more red ones. Can't wait to plant some in the greenhouse next season.
HELLO pie pumpkins (and many varieties winter squash). These can be used interchangeably in many savory and sweet dishes.

Did you know daikon radish is rich in Vitamin C, potassium and phosphorous?
FIVE ways to enjoy daikon RADISH
5. RAW with favorite dipping sauce
4. add to COLESLAW
3. in STIR FRY with sesame oil
2. in a QUICK PICKLE with the carrots
1. ROASTED with an assorted of root veggies and onions

9.16.2014

share details: mid-september

share offering:
BASIL
CILANTRO
HOT PEPPER
KOHLRABI
SWEET PEPPER
red norland POTATOES
RAINBOW CHARD
SCALLIONS
TOMATILLO
TOMATOES (last week)

 Check out this or this link for ideas on what to do with KOHLRABI!

TOMATILLO's are the main ingredient in salsa verde. Roasting them brings out a deeper flavor that shines when paired with citrus, cumin and cilantro, among other things. Here's a simple recipe for quesadillas and tomatillo salsa that utilizes multiple ingredients from this week's share.

We've begun to harvest the fall POTATOES and so far the crop is bountiful. This week's potato, Red Norland, are moist and ideal for boiling and potato salads.

Farewell TOMATOES, we love you so well! If the tomatoes in your share are not fully ripe, set them out in a room temperature space and allow to fully redden, thus improving both the flavor and texture.

9.15.2014

sept. garden morning pics

Yes, it was grey on Saturday morning. And yes, it began to rain as we started to eat lunch. And yes, I suppose it was a little full in the barn as a result. BUT WE HOPE YOU HAD AN ENJOYABLE, MEMORABLE TIME! It was a very productive morning. All the winter squash and pumpkins were harvested (1000+) along with many pounds of potatoes, tomatilloes, groundcherries and edamame. We cleaned up multiple areas and fed lots of veggies to the appreciative chickens. Overall, very positive (except when our dog Rye snatched the last muffin of of Penelope's little hands). Lew's guacamole and Grace's wontons were eaten at record speed! Thanks for all the delicious contributions to the meal.

Thanks for coming out and we look forward to next month. 
October brings roots harvest and garlic planting!



note: penelope's muffin, before Rye came along!

9.09.2014

share details-2nd wk of september

Did you see that knockout moon last night? And now a glorious sunny day.
rainbow chard-great with eggs
SHARE OFFERING:
BASIL
BEANS
CUCUMBERS, for fresh eating or quick pickles
EDAMAME (green soybeans)
GARLIC
ONIONS-cut out soft spot

RAINBOW CHARD
SWEET PEPPERS
TOMATOES

YEAH FOR EDAMAME! These delicious beans are available for a short picking window only. They fill out their pod and are best eaten in this green state. Your can eat them freshly boiled and salted OR pop out of inedible pod and add beans to another dish. We enjoyed the test harvest last night. You'll be receiving the entire plant. You're welcome to strip the pods off the stalks right at the farm and toss the plant matter into the compost pile by the barn. The labor for us would be far too great to pick everybody's pods off, but we hope you savor the opportunity to interact with this protein rich plant and enjoy its versatility.
edamame pulled off their stalks
edamame-boiled 6 minutes and popped out of pod

9.08.2014

garden morning-sept. 13th



 The monthly garden morning is nearly upon us! We hope to see you there. The final garden morning on October 11th and the gardens will look very different then. Come take part in group activities while the garden bursts forth with green (as fall frost has not arrived).




 WHO: littleGrasse shareholders & friends
WHAT: group morning in the garden with potluck to follow
WHEN: Saturday Sept. 13th  9am, with potluck at noon
WHERE: share barn at 309 Miner Street Road


Reminder: No on street parking if we can avoid it. First cars park on grass at edges of driveway in barnyard. If that's full, there's space at the farmhouse next door at 307 Miner St. There will be a lot of cars, please park smartly. Carpooling & biking encouraged!

9.02.2014

share details-start of september

Welcome to all the fall shareholders beginning pickup this week! It was great seeing most of you on this past sunny Saturday during the farm orientation. In the barn today all are welcome to grab a FARM INFOSHEET. Pop it up on your fridge for the household to peruse and refer to. Thanks to our diligent apprentice Emily Penna for her work putting that together.
hungarian hot wax pepper
share offering:
CARROTS
CUCUMBERS-yellow & green
GREEN BEANS
hungarian HOT WAX PEPPER 
KALE
red zeppelin ONIONS (cut out soft spots)
PARSLEY
SUMMER SQUASH-a mix of varieties including patty pan
TOMATOES
 
summer squash: zephyr, patty pan, sunbeam


 'Pride comes before the fall.'
  Many of you have likely heard that phrase before. It rang through my head this past week when we realized that our beautiful onion crop has been compromised by something that is not allowing it to cure for long-term storage. It may be the leek moth that's been spreading through the region in recent years. Anyhow, the onions we are distributing have edible and non-edible sections. We are offering them 'as you like.' So take several and cut out the soft sections. Better that than discard hundreds of pounds of them. We have been grading the varieties into three classes: the worst (discard immediately), somewhat compromised (distribute sooner) and best. We'll save the best for last and hope some bulbs have been spared. 
dino kale & red zeppelin onions
And yet, there is much bounty to celebrate. Happy cooking!