CSA Weekly Share #2

What a rainy couple of days we've had on the farm! The stand didn't even float away..

Here's the weekly share for CSA:
1 bag of lettuce
2 bunches of garlic scapes 

We picked the very first of the peas today and they are available in very limited quantities at the stand in addition to a fresh selection of My House Cookies pies- strawberry rhubarb's got my name on it! It will feel like no time before we are swimming in CSA beans, zucchini and tomatoes. 

****Reminder- sign up for our farm tour and get the inside scoop on everything we grow on the farm! JUNE 20th, 6pm****

rows and rows of garlic

We will meet at the big barn on the farm. You can stop by the stand and they will direct you up there. Try to arrive as early as possible since we're trying to start at 6pm sharp. Wear farm clothes because dirt tends to jump on you when you are walking through the fields. Kids are welcome (they ask the best questions). We will provide wine, water and fun farm facts to keep you entertained. it usually last about an hour and a half but you can leave whenever you want.

If it is pouring rain we will try to re-schedule, but otherwise we are going for it! ~HG

Recipe of the Week!

Garlic Scape & White Bean Soup

borrowed from an awesome blog- localkitchenblog.com
3 tbsp butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 lb garlic scapes, with flower heads, chopped (reserve 2 flower heads for garnish)
2 large potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and diced
2 cups stock (vegetable or chicken will do)
2 cups water
salt & black pepper, to taste
about 3 cups cooked cannellini beans (about 2, 15-oz cans, rinsed), or other white bean
a good handful of fresh basil leaves, slivered, or other fresh herb

Directions:
Melt butter over medium-low heat in a medium (5-quart) Dutch oven or stockpot. Once foam subsides, add onion and scapes. Stir and sauté over low heat until vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, water, stock, salt & pepper: stir, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are just tender, about 15 -20 minutes. Add cooked white beans, cover and continue to simmer for 5 – 10 minutes, to heat beans through and allow flavors to blend.
Blend soup (I use an immersion blender). Taste and adjust seasonings. Allow to simmer over low heat, uncovered, if soup needs thickening. Stir in fresh herbs, garnish with slivered flower head, and serve hot.
Serves 4 – 6.

Sylvio the gorilla standing proudly over rows and rows of SIW garlic!

Farm Tour June 20th!

Can you get more idyllic than this?

Have you been on SIW's farm tour? JUNE 20th at 6pm (that's in 2, count 'em, 2, weeks). Find out exactly where your favorite corn and tomatoes are grown. Enjoy a relaxing ride through the farm with us! 

Spots will fill up quickly so call the stand today to make your reservation! (610) 388-7491 Good, clean fun for the family!  Here are some of my favorite photos I took on a walk this week in that special hour before sunset.  

Magical horses.

Rows and row of future food!

Summer intern, Sylvio the Gorilla :)

What on earth is a garlic scape and what the heck do I do with it?

Garlic scapes are a popular item on the CSA list every year and we have them in abundance! This is because every garlic plant grown on the farm has one scape- and we'll have enough garlic a little later in the season to take out all the vampires in every vampire-centric book, movie and tv show - current and through history!

Scapes are removed early on in the garlic growing season to keep the plant from flowering (that funky  cone shaped doohickey on top is the premature blossom). By robbing the garlic of it's pretty flower, all that energy will instead be focused on growing a bigger bulb. And we get to reap the benefits!

You can use garlic scapes anywhere you would cook with garlic or onions. 

*Chop them up fine and use them in soups, chilis, stews. 
*Pulverize them in a food processor and make scape pesto!
*Chop them in green bean-sized pieces and saute them. Instant garlic "green beans".
*Skewer them and throw them on the grill.
* Wiggle them around and admire their curly-Q-ness!

What's your favorite way to cook with garlic scapes? Share on our facebook page!

Stay tuned later in the week for a recipe featuring scapes :)

Tuesday at SIW

Brent's Basil in SIW gourd planters.

Here are some goodies we had at the stand today. We have SIW scallions, garlic scapes and lettuce! We've got local broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and strawberries (plus lots of other goodies..). If you mention this post, I'll give you a free high five! ~Vanessa

Too early for SIW tomatoes, but we have local!!

fresh and crunchy snow peas

CSA Weekly Share for June 3rd!

high tunnel mean faster maturing tomatoes!

Below you'll find this week's CSA list. No worries here- as the weeks go on, this list surely grows and grows just as these baby summer squash and tomatoes will!

sweetest little tomato baby and blossom

CSA Week 1 (June 3rd):

-one bag of lettuce

-one bunch garlic scapes (yummy recipe from last year here!)

-one pint of SIW's world famous tomato sauce

-one 9 oz jar of pumpkin butter (amazing on ice cream or swirled into yogurt or spooned directly into your mouth!)

P.S. We've got a new facebook page! Check it out here..

their future home will be on your grill!

WE OPEN TOMORROW! JUNE 3RD WOOHOO!

In case you didn't hear.. we are officially open tomorrow, Monday, June 3rd! Look at those garlic scapes curling in excitement! Come on by to get your first tastes of summer.. We will be open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm until Halloween.

CSA members: This week is your first pick up... :) Just a reminder- pick up days are any time 10am-6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to ensure we've got loads of your selected veggies for the week and we can give you a proper hello (these are our slower days). 

Check back here often for delicious recipes using seasonal produce, CSA shares for the week, specials, and other farm/food/SIW related news. 

Locally Grown Peonies Available!

Before we officially open for the season (June 3rd at 10 am - that's Monday!), we have locally grown and harvested peonies available. They are sold on the honor system in a variety of colors at the stand for $22 a bunch (10 gorgeous blooms) and $19 a bunch for CSA members. Peonies are only available for a short time - pick some up before it's too late! 

P.S. The stand opens for the season June 3rd and will be open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm!  If you're like me, you're frothing at the mouth for fresh summer produce. It's only a matter of time before we'll be swimming in corn and tomatoes... mmm...

Above: The Chadds Ford peony field in full bloom. Dozens of varieties blooms here in reds, pinks and whites. 

Welcome Back! The 2013 Season is upon us!

   Ladies and Gentlemen it's that time of year again!  We are well into our planting stages for 2013 season.  Jamie has been taking care of our babies and has been doing a "Marv"elous job keeping them fed and warm with tender loving care.

   

This year we have a new edition to the farm.  Our first "High Tunnel."

   

High Tunnels are an increasingly popular due to improved crop production.  It is like a greenhouse only your plants are in the ground already.  Compared to open field production, these tunnels offer a warmer environment during early spring,  late fall and sometimes winter seasons.  High Tunnels are tall enough to walk in easily and to grow tall crops such as tomatoes

Dan and Ernesto have been working diligently at keeping tabs on the temp in tunnel.  They are checking it many times during the day.  

Some other crops that are already rolling are onions and scallions.

CSA Reminder!

There is still time to get your CSA membership for this year.

We will be accepting membership until June 3rd.  Please refer to the CSA information tab for details.

Start your Spring off with "Health Coaches of Delaware." 

These great ladies are publishing a newsletter and would love to have you join them.  Please use the following to receive it:

www.HealthCoachesofDelaware.com

Announcing Health Coaches of Delaware  Quick Links More About Us Contact Website AADP Certified Health Coach ACE Certified Personal Trainer Audrey@HealthCoachesofDelaware.com 302-635-0847 AADP Certified Health Coach Joan@HealthCoachesofDelaware.com 302-635-0902    Dear H.G,      We are pleased to announce the launch of Health Coaches of Delaware, helping you to develop and sustain healthy food and lifestyle choices. Visit our website www.HealthCoachesofDelaware.com to learn about what we offer and join our email list to receive our e-newsletter containing healthy living tips, new food ideas and delicious recipes. You will also find out about upcoming events and activities.  We won't share your contact information, and you can discontinue at any time. We value your support and very much appreciate your help in spreading the word about our new venture.  As a token of our appreciation, we are offering a free 1-hour consultation ($50 value) to you or anyone you refer, if scheduled by June 30. Please share this email with friends and co-workers who might be interested in our services and/or our e-newsletter. Don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions about our services. We want to hear from you. Thank you for your support, Be Well, Audrey & Joan Health Coaches of Delaware, 1601 Millltown Road, Suite 18, Wilmington, DE  19808

Looking Forward to seeing ya'all real soon.


Happy April!   Start your Spring off with "Health Coaches of Delaware." 

Announcing Health Coaches of Delaware  Quick Links More About Us Contact Website AADP Certified Health Coach ACE Certified Personal Trainer Audrey@HealthCoachesofDelaware.com 302-635-0847   AADP Certified Health Coach Joan@HealthCoachesofDelaware.com 302-635-0902    Dear H.G,        We are pleased to announce the launch of Health Coaches of Delaware, helping you to develop and sustain healthy food and lifestyle choices.   Visit our website www.HealthCoachesofDelaware.com to learn about what we offer and join our email list to receive our e-newsletter containing healthy living tips, new food ideas and delicious recipes. You will also find out about upcoming events and activities.  We won't share your contact information, and you can discontinue at any time.   We value your support and very much appreciate your help in spreading the word about our new venture.  As a token of our appreciation, we are offering a free 1-hour consultation ($50 value) to you or anyone you refer, if scheduled by June 30.   Please share this email with friends and co-workers who might be interested in our services and/or our e-newsletter.   Don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions about our services. We want to hear from you.   Thank you for your support,   Be Well,   Audrey & Joan Health Coaches of Delaware, 1601 Millltown Road, Suite 18, Wilmington, DE  19808