Happy fall! At the farm we love the transition from summer to fall because this is when much of our hard work earlier in the season comes to fruition. This week we are bringing in truckloads of winter squash to cure in our greenhouse, crates of root crops like carrots and beets that were seeded way back in the mid-summer heat, and bushels of apples from our orchard.
The apples are particularly exciting for us, since this is a multi-season effort that is finally starting to produce! We planted over 200 trees in 2012 when we started the farm, with the help of friends and family on one of our first work weekends.
The 12 rows of trees that cover one of the farm’s east-facing slopes include 40 different varieties, ranging from early- to late-maturing and cooking to eating purposes.
This week we’ve harvested Mutsu and Sansa so far, and will soon head for the Honey Crisp. We’re planning to set up the cider press this week for a little impromptu cider fest, so come enjoy a glass of the sweet stuff Tuesday and Friday from 4:30-5:30!
Speaking of apples, many of you probably have trees maturing and dropping their crop in your yard. If you aren’t using them for your own fall cooking projects, our pigs would be happy to take them off your hands! Feel free to leave cardboard boxes of “drops” in front of the CSA barn and we will deliver them at chore time. Our pigs are working their way across our pasture and love to root around for any extra fruits and veggies that we toss in for them. One of my favorite sights at the farm is the whole herd of them joyfully crunching their way through a fresh delivery of “waste” apples. We are also now accepting orders for pork, which will be harvested and processed later this fall. If you would like to pre-order a quarter, half or whole pig you can do so on our website. This is a great way to stock your freezer for winter with meat that is raised humanely and sustainably.
But now, on to this week’s veggie harvest
Cheers, Norah and the Sweetland Crew
Week 19 Harvest, Brimming Basket
- Carrots, 1.5 pounds
- Apples, 2 pounds
- Rainbow chard, large bunch
- Tomatoes, 3
- Spaghetti squash, 1
- Onions, 2 pounds
- Beets, large bunch
- Peppers, 2
Week 19 Harvest, Half Pint
- Carrots, .75 pounds
- Apples, 1 pound
- Rainbow chard, small bunch
- Tomatoes, 2
- Onions, 1 pound
- Beets, small bunch
- Peppers, 1
Recipes of the Week
- Carrots for breakfast?!? Carrot apple muffins
- Eat the whole beet! Roasted beets and sauteed beet greens
- Breakfast, lunch or dinner… chard & onion frittata