Friday, August 28, 2009


CSA Harvest September 2nd:
  1. Chives
  2. Garlic Chives
  3. Red Gold New Potatoes
  4. Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets
  5. Basil
  6. Tomatillos
  7. Kale- Dino or Curly
  8. Swiss Chard
  9. Dandelion Greens
  10. Garlic
  11. Tomatoes: Cherry (Sungolds), Grape, Garden Peach, Red, Striped German, Green Zebra, Zapotec Pleated, Paste
  12. Eggplant: Oriental, Rosa Bianca ( a purple and white stripe, more Italian variety), Black Beauty (Italian variety)
  13. Hot peppers: mixed, varied heat.
  14. Peppers, Sweet: Green Bells, Lipstick (Green turning to red extra sweet), Nardellos (Sweet long green variety), Purple Beauty. Single orders only.
  15. Onions, Green: in red (Pictured above) or white. (Single orders only)
  16. Salad Mix
  17. Sage
  18. Savory
  19. Thyme
  20. Sorrel
  21. Winter Squash: (Single Orders only) (Pictured above- Drying)
  • Delicata: small sweet striped
  • Red Kuri: smaller egg shaped, bright orange color
  • Buttercup: small, dark green color - dry
  • Kabocha: medium size, blue color- dry
  • Butternut: medium size, sweet flesh
  • Hopi Orange: Pumpkin like, large
  • Spaghetti

  • Fruit Share: Red Raspberries & Peaches
Farmer's Notes:
This is probably the last week for tomatoes so it is the time to stock up.
Fall crops are coming soon.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Recipes
Here are a few midweek treats:
  • this is from the potluck on Friday: cheezy kale chips: http://renegadehealth.com/blog/raw-food-snack-recipe-for-kale-chips/
    probly would've helped if I watched the video first... just watched it now... dressing came out super salty - I added a few cashews (and messed around with it more, hehe)... didn't use any scallions or sunflower seeds... also, used less kale = more sauce on the kale... explains why it took much longer to dehydrate than they mentioned! I just used my oven on the lowest setting ;)... can't wait to experiment with other flavors!
  • this is also from the potluck on Friday: peach pudding: 4 peaches, 2 avocados, pinch of salt, pinch of vanilla bean, sweetener (optional... I hardly used any... honey, yacon, stevia, agave, maple, etc...)
  • "Here is a green smoothie recipe idea from my dear friend, I tried it and it's awesome!!" this comes from a Yoga Member:
    http://www.foodiesforhealth.com/blog/2009/8/16/green-goodness.html
  • This comes from Pheobe's amazing blog. Pheobe does lunches for delivery to offices and homes. If you are interested let me know. Local food goodness and tons of creative ideas. http://phoebespurefood.blogspot.com/2009/08/roasted-tomato-sauce.html
Please pass along any of your ideas. The recipes are building for the new website pages. We can always use more.
Have a great week,
Erica

Saturday, August 22, 2009


August 26th CSA Harvest:
  1. Chives
  2. Garlic Chives
  3. Spearmint or Peppermint
  4. Red Gold New Potatoes
  5. Beets: Red & Chioggia
  6. Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets
  7. Carrots: Orange
  8. Summer Squash: Green and Yellow Zucchini, Patty Pan
  9. Cucumber: Lemon (limited quantities), Standard, Pickling (limited quantities)
  10. Basil
  11. Tomatillos
  12. Beans: French, Green, Dragon
  13. Fennel
  14. Kale- Dino or Curly
  15. Swiss Chard
  16. Dandelion Greens
  17. Garlic
  18. Tomatoes: Cherry (Sungolds Pictured above), Grape, Garden Peach, Red, Striped German, Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Zapotec Pleated.
  19. Eggplant: Oriental (Pictured above) or Rosa Bianca ( a purple and white stripe, more Italian variety)
  20. Hot peppers: mixed, varied heat.
  21. Peppers, Sweet: Green Bells, Lipstick (Green turning to red extra sweet), Nardellos (Sweet long green variety) Single orders only. These are still coming in limited quantities. I will do my best to fill all orders.
  22. Onions, Green: in red or white. (Single orders only)
  23. Fruit Share: Nectarines, Apples, Pears
Notes from the farm:
This blog is going up a bit late due to the CSA Potluck last night. Which was a wonderful success. Thank you to all whom came out. It means a lot to me to get to know the faces of our members. You are all so special to me. I am very attached to my produce and I love knowing who eats it. I loved all of your ideas for recipes and all the great food you brought. Members are the foundation of our farm and your support means so much to us. You have invested in our farm in order to allow us to use the land in a conscious way. We are keeping a farming tradition happening on the Hartz Farm. B & H Organic Produce is the next generation and you are an intregal part. Thank you all for your support.
On a less happy note........ Our tomatoes on are the way out. We indeed caught the blight. SAD! It makes me so sad to see the plants sick. We have been spraying and cleaning, but with all the rain I can't see how we can win the battle. If you read the front page of the Reading Eagle on Tuesday you will know that blighted tomatoes are not good for canning. However, they are fine to eat. We inspect them rigorously and put the individual fruits through a test before they enter your box. You can feel comfortable eating the tomatoes you receive. It just means that tomato season will be much shorter than I had anticipated. We appologize.

Recipes:
  • Eggplant: Baba Ghanoush http://www.recipezaar.com/Baba-Ghanoush-the-Best-in-the-World-67570
  • A member told me about how she dehydrates her zucchinis and patty pan squash. This is a great way to store them. Much better than freezing. She also mentioned dipping them in BBQ sauce before drying to create zucchini chips. I can't wait to try this.
  • The recipe for those amazing Kale Chips is on the way!!!!!!!
  • Honey Baked Tomatoes: http://www.whyy.org/91FM/chef/recipe235.html
  • Oven Roasted Tomatoes: I heard this on "A Chef's Table" today: Mix chopped tomatoes, Olive oil, Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Rosemary and Parsley in a bowl. Place on a Cookie sheet and bake at 200 all overnight. These tomatoes may be stored in a zip lock bag in your refrigerator for 6 months!
Event!!!!!!
Saturday, September 5, 10 AM to 4 PM: The First-Ever Rt. 10 Organic Nursery and Farm Tour!

Make a day of it - there's lots to see and do!

Sugarbush Nursery teams up with two other organic growers on Rt. 10 - B&H Organic Produce and King's Herb Nook - to bring you a full day of educational programs and discounts - and a chance to win one of 3 gift certificates for $25! Pick up a free ticket at any of the 3 locations, then get your ticket punched at each grower during the day to be entered in the drawing.

Plan your trip around educational talks at each grower at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. In addition to sharing their favorite organic gardening practices with the group, hear about these topics:

  • Sugarbush Nursery: "Native Alternatives to Invasive Landscape Plants"
  • B &H Organic Produce: "Heirloom Tomato Tasting"
  • King's Herb Nook: "Medicinal and Edible Wild Herb Walk"

Then, enjoy great discounts from each grower on this day only! Customers holding tickets will receive 15% off their purchases at each business.

Each grower is approximately a 10-minute drive from the others - all located directly on Rt. 10! See details and map below.

Sugarbush Nursery
4272 Morgantown Rd., Mohnton, PA 19540
(610) 856-0998 | www.sugarbushnursery.com
Specializing in: Over 200 varieties of perennials and shrubs that are native to PA, all organically grown and/or cared for. Also, organic and clean-air gardening products

B&H Organic Produce
211 Twin County Rd., Morgantown, PA 19
(610) 372-8318 | www.bhorganicproduce.com
Specializing in: Organically-grown produce including greens, beans, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and fresh cut flowers.

King's Herb Nook
1060 Compass Rd., Honey Brook, PA
(610) 273-4583 | Website
Specializing in: Over 200 varieties of organically-grown culinary, medicinal, and ornamental herb plants, plus herbal crafts, herbal salves, soap, creams, lip balm, bath salts, & more.

We hope to see you there.
Have a great week,
Erica

Friday, August 14, 2009


CSA Harvest August 19th:
  1. Chives
  2. Garlic Chives
  3. Italian Parsley
  4. Red Gold New Potatoes (Single orders only)
  5. Beets: Red & Chioggia
  6. Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets
  7. Carrots: Orange
  8. Summer Squash: Green and Yellow Zucchini, Patty Pan
  9. Cucumber: Lemon (limited quantities), Standard, Pickling
  10. Basil
  11. Tomatillos
  12. Beans: French, Green, Burgundy, Dragon
  13. Fennel
  14. Kale
  15. Swiss Chard
  16. Dandelion Greens
  17. Garlic (Pictured above drying)
  18. Tomatoes: Cherry, Grape, Garden Peach, Red, Striped German, Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Persimmon (Pictured above), Zapotec Pleated, Pineapple
  19. Eggplant: Single orders only and for those whom have not had eggplant yet.
  20. Hot peppers: mixed, varied heat.
  21. Fruit Share: Yellow, Donut and White Peaches
Notes of a Farmer:
Oh Tomatoes. Thus far we have had such a fabulous season it is hard to complain. But the tomatoes. The most prized fruit of the year. The crop for which we spend the most time, energy and money. They are just having such a rough year. The cool nights set them back from ripening. The rain, rain, rain left them cracking and green shouldered. The threat of disease has them holding on by a thread. We will continue to have tomatoes as long as the tomatoes will produce but it may be a short season.
Peppers....... Oh the plants are beautiful and as soon as the groundhog has filled his belly we too will have peppers.
Eggplants........They are coming soon and there will be plenty.
We should all pray for warm dry weather.

An announcement about pick ups: If you have not already received the email we are going to begin packing individual boxes. So when you arrive at the site you will just arrive and look for the box with your name on it and not have to search around for the items.

Recipes: My favorite recipes for this week.
  • http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Fennel-with-Parmesan/Detail.aspx Fennel baked with parmesan. I had this the other night and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend this.
  • Cucumber Salad with Peaches, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt and Pepper. This is all you need to know mix it and enjoy!
  • Tomato Curry Salad
    I adopted this recipe from my father in-law. It is a summer favorite.
    3 medium tomatoes, (any type will work the salad types are less juicy than the slicing but the slicing tends to be more sweet)
    1 small onion chopped
    2 tablespoons mayo ( I always use Vegenaise you can’t beat the taste)
    1 curry powder to taste.
    Salt & Pepper to taste.
    Chop tomato into cubes. Mix all ingredients and serve chilled.
  • Parsley Pesto: I would suggest this on the potatoes. Pestos are a great way to freeze and store herbs. http://www.healthylivingnyc.com/food/recipe/7
Don't forget about the potluck on Friday August 21st. We are so excited.
Have a great week,
Erica

Friday, August 7, 2009



CSA Harvest August 12th:

  1. Chives
  2. Garlic Chives
  3. Italian Parsley
  4. Red Gold New Potatoes (Single orders only)
  5. Beets: Red, Golden, & Chioggia
  6. Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets
  7. Carrots: Orange
  8. Summer Squash: Green and Yellow Zucchini, Patty Pan
  9. Cucumber: Lemon (limited quantities), Standard, Pickling
  10. Basil
  11. Tomatillos
  12. Beans: French, Green, Yellow Wax, Burgundy, Dragon
  13. Salad Mix
  14. Arugula
  15. Fennel
  16. Kale
  17. Swiss Chard
  18. Dandelion Greens
  19. Spearmint
  20. Peppermint
  21. Green Garlic
  22. Tomatoes: Cherry, Grape, Garden Peach (Second Picture), Red (First Picture), Striped German, Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Persimmon
  23. Fruit Share: Yellow and White Peaches
Farmer Notes:
Tomato Descriptions:
  • Cherry: Very sweet Sungolds- Yellow-Orange
  • Grape: Red, so large from all the rain they look like Paste Tomatoes
  • Garden Peach: very low acid, mellow yellow with a bit of peach fuzz on the skin
  • Red: Standard red variety.
  • Striped German: Large slicing hierloom, yellow and red tie-dyed
  • Cherokee Purple: a purple-red tomato with excellent deep flavor
  • Green Zebra: a green hierloom. Voted best tasting tomato on the farm in 2008.
  • Persimmon: Large slicing yellow tomato. New this year.
Recipes: These come from a member at the Yoga Pickup Site

Curried Greens:

1 pound greens (Chard, Kale or Beet Greens or mix them all)
2 cloves Garlic
2-3 tablespoon Curry Powder
1 cup finely chopped tomates
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup onion, finely diced
3/4 pound potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  1. Wash and drain greens, removing any coarse stems and midribs. Cut into half inch strips.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, curry powder, tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet and saute onion over medium heat until it begins to brown. Add the spic and tomato mixture, mix well, and cook for a few minutes.
  4. Add the potatoes and 2 cups water.
  5. Mix well, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  6. Add greens and cook for 10 minutes more, or until potatoes are done.
Pesto:
4 cups basil leaves
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts (I also have substituted pumpkin seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds or pistachios)
1/2 cup Italian Parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Pecorino or Parmesan Cheese (I love the Goat Parmesan from Debbie at the market)
Put the basil, garlic, pine nuts, parsley and salt into a food processor or blendor with Olive oil. Process adding enough oil to make a smooth paste. Add the cheese and process a few second longer.
To Freeze: I put this mixture in ice cube trays. I freeze it and then take it out and store in a plastic baggy in the freezer. This gives me the appropriate proportions. Use a different ice cube tray than you would normally use for your ice (it will scent the tray).

Potato, Swiss Chard and Bread Soup:
3/4 pound potatoes, rinsed and cut into cubes
Salt
1/2 pound Swiss Chard
1/2 cup day old Italian Bread, diced without the crusts
1/4 cup Olive Oil
6 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano Cheese

Pour enough cold water over the potatoes in a deep, heavy 4 quart pot to cover by 3 fingers. Salt the water lightly and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the water is at a gentle boil and cook the potatoes, covered, until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, strip the chard leaves from the stem. Cut chard into 1 1/2 inch strips and stir them into the water after the potatoes have been cooking about 5 minutes.
Stir the bread into the pot after the chard has been cooking for 5 minutes. Season the soup with salt and cook until the potatoes and chard are tender and the bread is falling apart.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over low heat. Add chopped garlic, sprinkle with crushed red pepper and cook until garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Add contents of skillet to the pot. Stir well. Serve soup topped with grated Romano.

Arugula Salad: This comes from the Chef at Seghetti's on Penn Ave. (they have the best cheese selection in town. Not to mention those yummy stuffed breads which make brunch amazing)
Top arugula with blueberries, and fresh mozzarella balls (purchased at Seghetti's). Toss with White Balsamic Vinegar (purchased at Seghetti's), Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper. Simple and divine. Yum.

If you have not been to the market lately I highly reccommend you do so. We have great new vendors. You can get everything at the market, Fresh and Local. Thank you - Becca for working so hard to make it so great.

Have a good week,
Erica