Wow, it feels like there is a lot happening on the farm these days! We just launched our first ever early bird sign-up for 2019 members (including you, our beloved Winter Members)! Sign-up link for our 2020 Summer and Autumn shares is here https://www.harvie.farm/signup/harvest-tide-organics so we're off to the races for next summer. It feels both incredibly close and very far away at the same time. We're just about to start advertising for employment positions for next year, which means we'll be in a flurry of interviews soon. I am headed off to Augusta tomorrow for a full day of training regarding the phase in of the new(ish) law regarding food safety, FISMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). Eric's racing around washing/packing/delivering our wholesale deliveries. Iona is ALMOST WALKING, folks and is about to turn one, holy mole! Fingers crossed for enough snow to bounce out on the x-country skis and leave the world behind for a minute :)
Awesome Extras Available this Week
- Fresh Farmhouse Feta from Winter Hill (also in cheese shares) - This feta is second only to true Greek feta in my opinion. It's the best Maine feta I've had. Tangy, not too salty - it's awesome! $8.50/container
- TURMERIC from Stonecipher Farm - Turmeric is a tropical plant that has recently started to be grown in Maine. It looks like fresh ginger, but is bright yellow, and fresh turmeric has an earthy, peppery, and slightly bitter taste. It's common in Middle Eastern and South Asian cooking, and now, due to its anti-inflammatory properties is common as a supplement in the US. I've been adding it to smoothies, but it can be added to stir fries too. Store fresh turmeric in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or airtight container for a week or two, or freeze it for several months. $10.50/5 oz bag
- Eggs! We've got more extra eggs from Sparrow Farm this week - $6.00/dozen
- Whole Peeled Local Organic Tomatoes from Turtle Rock Farm - did you already blow through last delivery's tomatoes? We've got more available? $6.00/jar
New/interesting veggies available in this week's share
1) Tatsoi - an Asian green that grows well in Maine, loves the cold, and it is
\onderful in stir fry and salad. It has the texture of and cooks like full-size spinach (with a little more crunch), but it has a nutty sweet flavor that is super tasty. Every year we convert more people to this wonderful under-rated veggie. You'll see it back in shares this spring if you miss it over the winter.
2) Celeriac - (aka celery root) - Ok this veggie is weird looking and foreign to a lot of people, but it is also delicious, particularly if you are a soup lover. It is a great sub in for potatoes if you're looking for something with fewer starches (and more nutrients and flavor). Not to hate on potatoes as I love those too. It also has a mild sweet celery flavor that is really mellow in a soup. It's great.
3) Rainbow Beets - You all know (and love or hate beets), this week we've got a full rainbow medley in shares - Red, Chioggia (pink striped), and Gold. They taste very similar, but everyone has a favorite (mine is gold!) Now is the time to taste test!
Pantry item this week is No-Spray Dry Beans from Fairwinds Far in Bowdoinham! We've got four different types coming at you, we'll be sending a follow-up email to detail which types you might see in your box this delivery. You can expect two different kinds, but it'll be random based on what's available. And as always, you can swap these out in exchange for veggies if you prefer something else.
Dry beans can make wonderful protein filled additions to soups, casseroles, and salads. I also love cooking them and blending them into a homemade dip!
Farm love,
Beth, Eric, and Iona
