Appleton Farms Blog: Week 16: Cooler Weather and Sunshine Squash!

As we have officially arrived in the fall season, our efforts focus on bringing in bulk harvests of storage crops like carrots and potatoes. These are crops we begin to squirrel away for late fall and winter CSA pickups. While we have been enjoying cooler weather, all the rain and constant humidity has been a challenge for us in our brassica field (broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) this fall. These crops are much more likely to contract fungal afflictions when the foliage doesn’t dry during the daytime. Unfortunately, a recent six day stretch of rainy and foggy weather has facilitated the spread of a dreaded plant disease called alternaria through the field. However, we are happy to continue to harvesting beautiful greens this week and to be distributing a wonderful, bright orange kabocha squash called sunshine!

This week the share will include:

Arugula
Baby kale
Braising mix
Radish bunches
Brussel sprout tops
Collards
Bok choi
Broccoli
Beets
Fennel
Red onions
Potatoes
Sunshine kabocha squash
Garlic
PYO herbs

Despite our best efforts to keep a good stash of scissors for the pick your own field, every week many go missing. We encourage you to bring your own scissors if you plan on picking. Our hours for pickup are on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12:30-6:30PM. We are also open for pick your own on Saturdays, 8AM-Noon. Shareholders are free to pick up their share any day that best suits their schedule, and do not need to commit to the same day each week. Additionally, shareholders do not need to tell us which day they will be picking up.

Vegetable of the week!

Collards, a member of the brassica family, are grown for their large, dark colored edible leaves. These greens are a staple of Southern cooking in the United States and are often featured in African, Portuguese, and Brazilian cuisine. For nutrition, collard greens contain large amounts of vitamin K, and moderate amounts of vitamins A & C, and manganese.

Kenyan Braised Collard Greens and Ground Beef (Sukuma Wiki)

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
1 lb 90% lean ground beef
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 bunch (8 leaves) collard greens, stems removed sliced into 1-inch strips

½ pint tomatoes

1 tsp lemon juice

Saute onion in olive oil for four minutes. Add garlic and jalepeno, cooking one minute more. Add ground beef and seasonings, cooking until browned. Stir in collard greens and tomatoes and cook for four minutes. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Farm Store News

UPDATED FOR BREAKING NEWS regarding Wolf Meadow Farms

We are happy to welcome back Voula, the proprietor of Dancing Goat Olive Oil, this Friday afternoon sampling her delicious fresh-pressed olive oil made with love and sunshine-filled Koroneiki olives. Already a fan? Gallon size jugs will be back in stock, and this weekend only, on sale for $100. Pre-order yours at appletonfarms@thetrustees.org to ensure availability.

First fall cheese subscription pickup is this Friday, September 28th, featuring hand-crafted, artisanal Italian Molisani cheeses made in the old-world caseificio tradition by Luca Mignogna at Wolf Meadow Farm in Amesbury, MA. We are sad to pass along the news that Wolf Meadow Farms is closing its doors on September 30th. We hope they will reopen in a new location in the future, but for now, this will be your last chance to enjoy Wolf Meadow cheeses at Appleton Farms.

It's not too late to join for the fall cheese subscription. For only $100, you get 6 bi-weekly cheese selections to share with friends and family throughout the holiday season. Sign up in store or by e-mail at appletonfarms@thetrustees.org. Accepting pro-rated late enrollments throughout October.

Farm Events & Programs

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Appleton’s Preschool Farm Explorers

Wednesday, September 26
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

Family Fun, Farms & Food

Hike for Beer

Wednesday, September 26
Appleton Farms Grass Rides, Appleton Farms
Hamilton | North Shore

Seasonal Celebrations, Farms & Food

Friday, September 28, 2018

Appleton's Friday Farm Dinners with Bonne Bouche Caterers

Friday, September 28
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

Family Fun, Farms & Food