Farmstand Hours:
Wed - Fri 9 - 7pm
Sat & Sun 9 - 5pm |
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 25th Book Club Meeting: 6:30 Farmstand Greenhouse
The book is Deep Economy by Bill McKibben
Saturday, October 27th Deadline to sign up for the first session of the winter produce co-op
Wednesday, October 31st
Deadline for current CSA member to sign up for the 2008 CSA (before we open membership to non-members)
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This Week's Share
Paul Cary Goldberg catches Anson with a Potato "Eye" Veggies:
Lettuce, Chard, Kale, Arugula, Butternut Squash, Delicata, Cilantro, Carrots, Beets, Peppers, Hot Peppers, Eggplant, Leeks, Purple Top Turnips.
PYO:
Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Savory, Basil, Dill, String Beans
Additional organic produce available for purchase |
Friend of the Farm AdSpace
Over the Rainbow in Wenham is now offering holiday cards! We have photo cards and cards without a picture. All customized and personalized to your exact specifications. We carry William Arthur, Sweet Pea Designs, Birchcraft ... many styles and designs to fit all budgets! You can view some of our lines by viewing our website:
Hope to see you soon!
Store hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10-4pm, and Wednesday evenings and Saturdays by appointment.
152 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984. 978-468-7060
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Farmer Andrew's Report
This is the last week of distribution (unless you've signed up for the winter produce co-op) and everyone from the crew wants to say, Thank you for your support! Joining a CSA is risky business and far from the conventional model of our food industry. The success and future of our farm is dependent on this partnership and the purchases through the farm stand. CSAs across the country, are playing a significant role in saving thousands of farms, nurishing hundereds of thousands of people and developing a new generation of farmers. Remember, the farm is open year round (Wed - Sun 9am - 5pm through December, then weekends until May) and we still have tens of thousands of pounds of food growing in the fields. Last winter Nate and I were busy harvesting from the fields into the first week of January and it looks like this winter is going to be warm. Click here for a sign up form for the 2008 CSA.
A few members have asked me about the advantages of the winter produce co-op. Along with getting extremely fresh produce from Green Meadows Farm, the best advantage is economical. Because the vegetables and fruit we will buy in are a guarenteed sale to co-op members, we can buy in bulk and negotiate a low price. Produce is very perishable so grocery stores have to mark up the prices to ensure profitability. For every couple pounds of lettuce sold, they will throw out a pound of rotten lettuce. We buy fresh produce that we know will sell each week, so you're guarenteed the best quality organic fruits and vegetables. Click here for a winter co-op sign up form.
I've just started working on the end of year survey. When I do send it out, please take some time to think about what you'd like to see different next season. We are also going to be sending out newsletters about every other week, so stay tuned for new products, events and other farm news.
Thanks again to Paul Cary Goldberg for the crew photo |
Endless Eggplant
 Did you know that at one time, women in the Orient used a black dye made form eggplant to stain their teeth a gun metal gray? The dye probably came from the same dark purple eggplant we see in the marketplace today.
We grow thin Japanese eggplant in addition to the more traditional Italian eggplant here at Green Meadows Farm. Andrew prefers the Asian varieties because they hardly any preparation and taste sweeter.
From Asparagus to Zucchini Cookbook: Eggplant is believed to have originated in India or Burma. Introduced through trade routes, it became established and popular in many Arab countries and Northern Africa around 900 A.D. Eggplant appeared in Europe in the 15th century, but believed poisonous, it was cultivated only as an ornamental curiosity. Eggplant reached the U.S. during the 17th century.
- Eggplant can be peeled, but it is not essential. It depends on personal preference and the intended dish.
- Eggplant is always cooked, eliminating a toxic substance called solanine.
- Often suggested to remove any acrid flavors and excess moisture, lightly salt slices of eggplant and allow to sit in a colander for 10 - 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out any liquid. Eggplant will now soak up less salt in preparation.
Storing Eggplant: Eggplants are very perishable and become bitter with age. They should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within a day or two of purchase. To store in the refrigerator, place in a plastic bag. If you plan to cook it the same day you buy it, leave it out at room temperature.
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In the Farmstand: Organic Cranberries
Cranberry Hill Farm is located right at the entrance to Cape Cod and has been certified organic for the past eight years. It is a peat based bog with sandy banks. In the spring they flood the bog with clean spring water to retard the development of pests and weeds. They put on a layer of sand to bury some insect eggs and improve the surface of the bog. They feed the vines with fish emulsion and other organic nutrients and then weed, weed, weed by hand. Their berries are in such demand, that they have started a cooperative with other organic growers, just to meet the growing requests for their organic cranberries.
 Health Benefits of Cranberries
Until recently, the well known health benefits of cranberries were thought to be due to the high vitamin C content of the fruit. But now scientists have isolated other compounds present in cranberries which have the special effect of preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. These compounds, proanthocyanidins, may be effective in preventing or easing urinary tract infections by preventing Escherichia coli (E. coli bacteria) from adhering to the kidney or bladder cells. (The New England Journal of Medicine, October 8th, 1998.)
In related research at Tel Aviv University it was determined that the same properties of cranberries reduce the amount or oral bacteria, thus reducing the formation of dental plaque and the resultant gum disease.
At the University of Wisconsin ongoing research is investigating the effect of the antioxidants contained in cranberry extracts on reducing the oxydation that leads to heart disease. It may be that the consumption of cranberries can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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 Wirework Vases
We just received a new shipment of these terrific wirework vases handmade by a couple in Pennsylvania. Linus Meldrum and Dianne Settino moved to rural Pennsylvania after graduating from Yale, looking for a simple life where they could raise their children in the country. Dianne started "Spiderdance Ranch" as a wool spinner, raising sheep, chickens and other animals. Linus later started working on the farm by producing these amazing vases in a small studio. We think these vases look great with our dried statice or other flowers grown on the farm. The single bud vase is only $3.95 and the triple vase is $24.95. |
What does your family eat in a week? This image is from the book, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel, Faith D'Aluisio, illustrating families across the globe, and what they consume in one week. This image is the Ayme family of Tingo, Ecuador and they spend approximately $31 per week to feed their whole family. Click here to see the other families from America, Japan, Germany and other countries.Look for this book around the holidays for sale in the farmstand.
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