Newsletters

Winter '12-'13 - Week #5 (Final Winter Share)

2013-03-11T16:04:44Z

Final '12-'13 Winter Share - Week of March 11, 2013

What's in the Share

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 8 lbs.
Rutabaga - 3.25 lbs.
Watermelon Radish - 3.5 lbs.
Beets - 3.5 lbs.
Carrots - 8 lbs.
Belgian Endive - 2 pieces
Collards (Tuesday only) - 0.4 lb. bag
Red or Toscano Kale (Thursday only) - 1/2 lb. bag

News from the Farm

Hard to believe this is the last winter share of the season. Thanks to all of you for being members of the winter share. As always, we love to hear from you and would like to know what you liked about this year's winter share and what could be improved. Please don't hesitate to contact us at info@goldenearthworm.com with feedback.

You'll notice that the share quantities are a little larger this week. It's always tricky planting and planning for the right amount, though it's always better to have too much rather than too little. In this case we have a little too much, which is why you will find slightly more produce in your last box. Also, it should be known that any produce we have left over will be donated to local food pantries.

In other news, the farm is starting to hum with activity again. Greenhouse seeding has begun, 2013 membership applications are pouring in, and we're scrabbling to get all of our administrative and repair work done before spring is fully upon us. Please keep in mind that there is still room to signup for our 2013 season, though certain pickup locations are starting to fill up.

Thank you again for participating this winter - we look forward to seeing you in the spring!

Upcoming Events and Activities

Don't forget to sign up for our 2013 season if you haven't already. Space is limited and we're starting to fill up! And don't forget about our pick your own organic strawberries. The season typically runs for a month starting in mid/late May. Check in with us again as strawberry season approaches.

We continue to support the recent founding of the Peconic Community School, a not-for-profit independent community school located in Riverhead. To this end, we wanted to let you know that the school is hosting an event called Create: An Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, April 27th from 10am to 5pm at the grounds of East End Arts Council in Riverhead. In addition, Peconic Community School is now accepting applications for its newly established Arts on the Farm Summer Camp at the Hallockville Museum Farm in Jamesport. This will be a 4 week summer camp for children ages 6 through 11 to give children the experience of connecting with the land, the community, and their creative spirits through an arts and farm based experiential summer camp. To learn more and to sign up please visit them at www.peconiccommunityschool.org or contact them at info@northforked.org

Store Your Veggies Properly!

We encourage you to click on a vegetable from the list above to find a full page of information about each crop. Be sure to follow the storage instructions carefully to maximize the life of your veggies. When stored properly at home, you can expect the roots to last you through the full 3 weeks between each winter share delivery.

Connect with your Farm

We welcome you to explore our website to learn more about our farm and the wonderful things you can do with your weekly share. Check out our BLOG with pictures and videos of our farming practices! Or find RECIPES and join the community on our FACEBOOK page!

If you have questions or concerns about your share, please do not hesitate to contact us. That is one of the benefits of knowing where your food comes from! Your farmers are happy to hear from you at info@goldenearthworm.com at any time, for any reason.

This Week's Recipes

Hi everyone! While I've enjoyed sharing some of my favorite recipes from around the web this winter, I look forward to bringing you new ones from my farmhouse kitchen starting in June. See you at the farm this summer! xoMaggie

Curried Rutabaga Soup
Apple, Walnut and Endive Salad

Winter '12-'13 - Week #4

2013-02-14T15:38:18Z

Winter Share - Week of February 18, 2013

What's in the Share

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 6 lbs.
Rutabaga - 3 lb.
Watermelon Radish - 3 lb.
Beets - 3 lbs.
Carrots - 5 lbs.
Sweet Potatoes - 5 lbs.
Collards or Red or Toscano Kale (Tuesday deliveries) - 1/2 lb. bag
Belgian Endive (Thursday deliveries)

News from the Farm

The recent snowfalls have made the farm a beautiful and quiet place. The only challenge has come as the days have warmed, turning the farmroads into a mushy mixture of mud, snow and ice. We've already had to rescue one car that ventured into partially unplowed territory making for a bit of excitement. Otherwise, all is relatively calm and peaceful as we continue to organize and prepare for the coming growing season. You can always tell when spring is around the corner: The light in the farm office is bright and full on these February afternoons, and we have just a little bit more time to finish our outdoor chores before darkness descends.

Kohlrabi Update

Some of you may have noticed the fuzzy grey growth on the Kohlrabi. We actually had quite a discussion about what to do. The part of the kohlrabi where the leaf stems were attached had degraded separately from the main part of the kohlrabi bulb and were either turning black or growing grey fuzzies. We tried to put them through our washer, but the concrete floor in the washroom was still frozen and the turned into an ice rink when we turned the water back on, so we stopped. We then rubbed off what we could and decided to give them out. We cut open a few kohlrabi to make sure the interior was firm and crisp. Since kohlrabi is completely peeled before cooking we decided that the outside growth would not stop us from distributing it.

Don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions about your produce. We always like to hear from you and it's important for us to know if there are any concerns.

Store your veggies properly!
We encourage you to click on a vegetable from the list above to find a full page of information about each crop. Be sure to follow the storage instructions carefully to maximize the life of your veggies. When stored properly at home, you can expect the roots to last you through the full 3 weeks between each winter share delivery.

Connect with your Farm

This week's Recipes

Roasted Carrot Soup
Simple Potato Gratin

Winter '12-'13 - Week #3

2013-01-24T19:16:18Z

Winter Share - Week of January 28, 2013

What's in the Share

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 5 lbs.
Parsnips - 1 lb.
Rutabaga - 1 lb.
Watermelon Radish - 1 lb.
Beets - 2 lbs.
Kohlrabi - 2 lbs.
Carrots - 5 lbs.
Sweet Potatoes - 5 lbs.
Green Cabbage - 2 heads
May also include Belgian Endive

News from the Farm

In our last email we welcomed Zinn, who is now four weeks today, and growing cuter by the day! Today, we welcome Stephen Searl, our new Farm Manager. He comes from a family farm on the North Fork and most recently worked for Peconic Land Trust, a not for profit conservation organization that preserves farmland and open space. He will be managing the CSA program and post-harvest production, and will be involved in many other aspects of the business including production, marketing, and outreach. Stephen lives in Southold with his wife and two children.

In other news, the bitter cold of last week kept the farm relatively quiet and kept us focused on indoor work. Despite the snow that continues to fall outside, this week looks warmer and wetter...

Something new...Belgian Endive!
You may receive Belgian Endive in your share this week, and if not this week, then in the next delivery.

Belgian Endive is a member of the chicory family and is a gourmet specialty prized by chefs. It starts out growing as a root crop in the fields during the summer. It is harvested in the fall and the tops are removed for storage. We then plant the roots in batches in shallow trays and allow them to force a head in complete darkness. (This is why the endive is white and pale yellow.) You can read more about the growing process of Belgian Endive here: http://kitchengardeners.org/growing-belgian-endive

We recommend savoring the endive raw in a salad with shaved parmesan cheese and a light vinaigrette. While most Belgian Endive is bitter and often cooked, ours is not, so we recommend trying it raw to best experience its delicate flavor and texture.

Store your veggies properly!

Connect with your Farm

This week's Recipes

Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Parsnip and Shallot Tart

Simple Sauteed Cabbage

Winter '12-'13 - Week #2

2013-01-08T18:41:54Z

What's in the Share

The week of January 7, 2013

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 4 lb.
Parsnips - 1 lb.
Rutabaga - 1.5 lb.
Watermelon Radish - 1.5 lb.
Red Beets - 2 lb.
Carrots - 5 lb.
Sweet Potatoes - 5 lb.
Savoy Cabbage - 1 head
Green Cabbage - 1 head

News from the Farm

There's a new little sprout on the farm! Baby Zinn was born at home on New Year's Eve...just one day before his brother's 3rd birthday. We certainly know how to ring in the New Year around here!

Zinn Gardner Kurek, 12/31/12 - 8lb 14oz - 22in

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Maple Glazed Parsnips & Sweet Potatoes

Winter '12-'13 - Week #1

2012-12-18T14:47:19Z

What's in the Share

The week of December 17, 2012

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 5 lb.
Rutabaga - 2 lb.
Watermelon Radish - 2 lb.
Kohlrabi - 1 lb.
Radicchio OR Escarole - 1 head
Carrots - 5 lb.
Sweet Potatoes - 5 lb.
Green Cabbage - 1 head
Baby Leeks - 4 pieces

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Roasted Watermelon Radish with Warm Shallot Vinaigrette
Savoy Cabbage with Ginger and Garlic

CSA 2012 - Week #26 - Final Week

2012-11-27T13:59:59Z

What's in the Share

The week of November 26, 2012 - Final Week of the Season

The contents of the share fluctuate over the week. Please check back often for updates!

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Yellow Potatoes - 1 quart
Beets - 1 piece
Carrots - 2 lbs
Baby Sweet Potatoes - 4 lbs
Green Cabbage - 1 head

Notes on the Share

This is our final week of CSA for the 2012 season. If you want to make this week's share last you into the holiday season, you're in luck! They can all be stored well under the correct conditions. The Beets, Cabbage and Carrots can be stored in the fridge in a plastic bag for about a month. The Potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place (not in the fridge) and the Sweet Potatoes should be kept in a cool (not cold) dark place.

News From the Farm

We've come to the end of another growing season here on the East End of Long Island. Overall, it was good season for us. The warm, dry summer was just what our crops needed, and we lost very little to disease (like in past rainy years). We want to thank you for your membership this season and we hope you will join us again in 2013. We will be sending out a notice as soon as our renewal application is available on our website in the next few weeks. Have a very happy and healthy Holiday Season! - Maggie, Matt, James & Galen

Winter CSA Shares STILL AVAILABLE! - We have winter share pick-ups in Jamesport and Port Washington. Click here to sign up!

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Braised Cabbage with Caraway
Roasted Beets - courtesy of Ina Garten

CSA 2012 - Week #25

2012-11-20T14:12:28Z

What's in the Share

The week of November 19, 2012 - THANKSGIVING WEEK

The contents of the share fluctuate over the week. Please check back often for updates!

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Potatoes - White or Russet Variety (both excellent for mashing) - 3 lbs
Broccoli - 1 piece
Carrots - 2.75 lbs
Sweet Potatoes - 4 lbs
Rutabaga - 1 large or 2 small pieces
Radicchio -OR- Savoy Cabbage - 1 head
Romanesco Broccoli -OR- Cauliflower -OR- Surprise Item!

THE FRUIT SHARE HAS ENDED.

Notes on the Share

Our annual Thanksgiving box includes Potatoes (excellent varieties for mashing), Rutabaga (also delicious mashed), Carrots to roast (see receipe below), Sweet Potatoes to mash or roast, but also yummy in a pie (see recipe below). Broccoli, Romanesco Broccoli, and Cauliflower are great just lightly steamed, and Radicchio or Savoy Cabbage would be perfect raw in a salad.

News From the Farm

Thanksgiving is here! We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday! Don't forget that there will be one more week of deliveries after this week. And stay tuned for more information about renewing your CSA membership for the 2013 season. Bon Appetit! - Maggie, Matt, James & Galen

Winter CSA Shares - We have winter share pick-ups in Jamesport and Port Washington. Click here to sign up!

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Pureed Rutabaga with Pan-Fried Leeks
Sweet Potato Pie
Maple & Orange Glazed Carrots

CSA Week #24

2012-11-12T14:22:13Z

What's in the Share

The week of November 12, 2012

The contents of the share fluctuate over the week. Please check back often for updates!

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Leeks - 1 bunch
Watermelon Radish - 1 piece
Green Kale - 1 bunch
Russet Potatoes - 3 lbs.
Cabbage - 1 large head
Broccoli - 2 pieces
Baby Carrots - 1 bunch

THE FRUIT SHARE HAS ENDED.

Notes on the Share

Leeks are delicious in soups or braised on their own (see recipe below). Watermelon Radish can be sliced raw in a salad or roasted to bring out their meaty flavor. Green Kale is great in hearty fall soups, Russet Potatoes are the perfect variety to bake in the oven, and Cabbage and Broccoli are stars of the fall harvest. Finallly, tender Baby Carrots to snack on raw or roasted in the oven to bring out their sweetness.

News From the Farm

Our work is slowing down now that the season's end is in sight. There are still a lot of storage crops to harvest for the winter shares, including carrots, beets, rutabaga and endive. A soon as a crop is harvested, we're clearing the fields and planting cover crops. These will reduce erosion over the winter and fix nitrogen in the soil so the fields will be in excellent shape for planting into next spring.

Winter CSA Shares - We have winter share pick-ups in Jamesport and Port Washington. Click here to sign up!

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Kale and Chickpea Soup
Braised Leeks with Lemon

CSA 2012 - Week #23

2012-11-06T13:38:14Z

What's in the Share

The week of November 5, 2012

The contents of the share fluctuate over the week. Please check back often for updates!

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Sweet Potatoes - 4 lbs
Rutabaga - 1 piece
Radicchio - 1 head
Salad Turnips -OR- Kohlrabi - 1 bunch/piece
Cauliflower -OR- Savoy Cabbage - 1 head
Bok Choi - 2 pieces (ONLY FOR Wednesday deliveries - it froze on Wednesday night!)
Broccoli - 2 pieces
Beets -OR- Carrots - 1 bunch

FRUIT SHARE - LONG ISLAND SITES (This week is the final week of the fruit share!)
Tuesday - TBD
Wednesday - TBD
Thursday/Friday - TBD

Notes on the Share

A lovely fall box of produce this week. We tried to include many items which don't need to be cooked, just in case you're still without electricity or cooking facilities. The sweet potatoes will store, but they should not be left outside in cold temperatures. Most other items can be left outside if you don't have electricity to keep them in your fridge.

News From the Farm

The farm is doing well after the storm. No damage to report. Our best wishes go out to members who suffered loss and damage from the storm.

Winter CSA Shares - We have winter share pick-ups in Jamesport and Port Washington. Click here to sign up!

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Rutabaga Oven Fries
Braised Bok Choi
Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

CSA 2012 - Week #22

2012-10-23T11:29:32Z

What's in the Share

The week of October 22, 2012

The contents of the share fluctuate over the week. Please check back often for updates!

Click on a crop below to view more information, cooking tips and recipes...

Watermelon Radish - 1 large piece
Red Kale - 1 bunch (an excellent variety to eat raw!)
Bok Choi - 1 bunch
Radicchio - 1 head
Broccoli - 2 pieces
Guy Lon (Chinese Broccoli) - 1 bunch
Beets - 1 bunch
Yellow Potatoes - 1 bag
Kohlrabi - 1 large piece

FRUIT SHARE - LONG ISLAND SITES (Next week is the final week of the fruit share!)
Tuesday - ONE BAG ONLY! 1 mixed bag Elstar and Jonagold Apples
Wednesday - ONE BAG ONLY! 1 mixed bag Elstar and Jonagold Apples
Thursday/Friday - ONE BAG ONLY! 1 mixed bag Elstar and Jonagold Apples

Notes on the Share

It's a brassica bonanza! Kohlrabi, Red Kale (make this kale salad!), Guy Lon, Broccoli, Watermelon Radish (see recipe below) and Bok Choi are all members of the brassica family and grow well in the fall. Remember to keep your greens wrapped tightly in a plastic bag in the fridge so they stay fresh and hydrated. Beautiful, sweet Red Beets are delicious roasted in the oven (see recipe below), and a sack of Yellow Potatoes roast up beautifully and make yummy mashed potatoes!

News From the Farm

There's still a lot of action in the fields these days - finishing up our potato harvest and seeding cover crops. Our cover crops are seeded on empty fields (after our vegetable crops are harvested) to protect and enrich the soil throughout the winter and into late spring. Some of the varieties we plant include hairy vetch, rye, triticale, oats, crimson clover, and red clover. Next week we will begin our massive storage crop harvest for the winter shares, which include storage varieties of carrots, beets, turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi and watermelon radish.

Winter CSA Shares - We have winter share pick-ups in Jamesport and Port Washington. Click here to sign up!

Connect with your Farm

THIS WEEK'S RECIPES

Sliced Watermelon Radish Salad - from SustainablePantry.com
Roasted Beet Salad with Oranges and Beet Greens
Roasted Kohlrabi
Guy Lon Stir Fry