A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

On of my co-workers suggested that we get a CSA farm share delivered to our office once a week (you need an 8 person minimum to become a delivery site). Probably one of my favorite things we have done in the office in a while. Farm Fresh RI comes and delivers us fresh veggies every Tuesday! You get an email on Monday to tell you what will be in the box, how to store the produce, and recipes for the items that you are getting. This is great for me since I either can’t identify some of the veggies in there or wouldn’t have any idea on how to cook/eat them. Check out their blog here: http://farmfreshri.deliverybizpro.com/p-26-blog.html

Funny article on the 5 stages of farm share which is oh so true as we have rolled around to week 6. Here is what we have received so far in our veggie boxes:

Week 6:

* Tomatillos: Silverbrook Farm-Dartmouth, MA

* Swiss Chard: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI

* Cubanelles: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Red Kale: Enterprise Farm-Whately, MA * Cabbage: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Parsley: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI * Tomatoes: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Fancy Squash Mix: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Juliet Tomatoes: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Basil: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI

Storing your produce:

Tomatillos
Store in husks in the refrigerator for two weeks in a paper bag. Take off husks right before using.

Tomatoes and Juliet Tomatoes
Store at room temperature for a few days.

Swiss Chard and Red Kale
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few days.

Cubanelles
Refrigerate for a week.

Parsley
Remove the leaves and seal them in plastic bag for several days.

Cabbage
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a week. Use soon after cutting otherwise flavor will diminish.

Basil
Store like flowers in jar of water on the counter, leaves covered with a plastic bag for a week.

Fancy Squash Mix
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days.

Week 5:

* Cherry Tomatoes: Silverbrook Farm-Dartmouth, MA

* Corn: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Blueberries: Schartner Farms-Exeter, RI

* Jersey Mac Apples: Steere Orchard-Greenville, RI

* Hot Peppers: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Cucumbers: Enterprise Farm-Whatley MA

* Lettuce: Enterprise Farm-Whatley MA

* Red Onions: Enterprise Farm-Whatley MA

Store your produce:

Cherry Tomatoes
Do not refrigerate.  Store on the counter for a few days.  Wash only what you plan on using immediately before using.

Hot Peppers
Store in the refrigerator for a week.  Handle carefully.  Do not touch eyes.

Corn
Eat immediately!  If necessary store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a couple of days

Apples
Refrigerate for a week.

Red Onions
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several days.  Use greens sooner because they will not last as long as bulbs.

Blueberries
Store in the refrigerator.  Wash only what you plan on using immediately before using.

Cucumbers
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Lettuce
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days, do not wash until use

Week 4:

* Eggplant: Silverbrook Farm-Dartmouth, MA

* Garlic: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston,RI

* Colorful Peppers: Silverbrook Farm-Dartmouth, MA

* Purple Basil: Blue Skys Farm-Cranston, RI

* Hakurei Turnips: Enterprise Farm-Whately, MA

* Celery: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston,RI

* Zucchini: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Carrots: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Swiss Chard: Schartner Farm-Exeter, RI

Storing your produce:

Colorful Peppers
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few days.

Garlic
Store either in the refrigerator for a few months or hang up to dry to keep for several months.

Purple Basil
Keep in a jar of water on the counter covered with a plastic bag.
Celery
Keep wrapped tightly in the refrigerator in aluminum foil. Celery will stay fresh for a week or two.

Eggplant
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  Eat sooner than later becuase it tastes sweetest when fresh.

Hakurei Turnips
Remove greens and store turnips and greens in plastic bag separately in the refrigerator.  The greens will last for a couple of days and the turnips will last a little longer.

Swiss Chard
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few days.

Zucchini
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few days.

Carrots
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several days.

Week 3:

* Tomatoes: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Mint: Pezza Farm-Johnston, RI

* Lacinato Kale: Enterprise Farm-Whatley, MA

* Fennel: Enterprise Farm-Whatley, MA

* Collards:Enterprise Farm-Whatley, MA

* Scallions: Wishing Stone Farm-Little Compton, RI

* Red Norland Potatoes: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Blueberries: Schartner Farms-Exeter, RI

* Fantastic Corn: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

Storing your produce:

Tomatoes
Store on the counter for a few days.  Do not refrigerate.  Wash immediately before use.

Mint
Clean, dry and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a week.

Corn
Eat immediately.  Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for as little time as possible.

Potatoes
Keep in a cool, dark place (not near onions!) for several days.

Scallions
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days.  Eat greens sooner than bulb.
Collards and Kale
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days, do not wash until use

Fennel
Remove fronds and store fronds and bulb in plastic bags for a few days.

Blueberries
Store in the refrigerator in packaging.  Wash immediately before use, only what you will use, and enjoy throughout the week!

Week 2:

* Basil: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI

* Zucchini: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Cucumbers (Pickling): Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Rainbow Carrots: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Kale: Pezza Farm-Johnston, RI

* Green Beans: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Blueberries: Schartner Farms-Exeter, RI

* Cabbage: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Rainbow Carrots: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Lettuce: Langwater Farms-North Easton, MA

Storing your produce:

Zucchini and Cucumbers
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days and wash immediately before use.

Basil
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  Wash immediately before use and enjoy within a few days.

Rainbow Carrots
Remove tops, store in plastic bag in refrigerator for a week or longer, wash immediately before use.

Green Beans
Eat as soon as possible while fresh!  If necessary to store, refrigerate in a plastic bag.

Cabbage
Store in plastic bag in refrigerator for a week, chop and wash only immediately before use otherwise flavor will diminsh

Lettuce and Kale
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days, do not wash until use

Blueberries
Store in the refrigerator in packaging.  Wash immediately before use, only what you will use, and enjoy throughout the week!

Week 1:

* Onions: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI

* Zucchini and Summer Squash: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Cucumbers: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms-Hope, RI

* Carrots: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

* Parsley: Freedom Food Farm-Johnston, RI

* Radishes: Ward’s Berry Farm-Sharon, MA

* Scallions: Wishing Stone Farm-Little Compton, RI

* Lettuce: Schartner Farms-Exeter, RI

* Beets: Four Town Farm-Seekonk, MA

Storing your produce:

Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Cucumbers
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator for a few days, wash immediately before use

Beets and Beet greens, Radishes
Remove tops, store tops and beets separately in plastic bags in refrigerator, eat tops within two days

Carrots
Remove tops, store in plastic bag in refrigerator for a week or longer, wash immediately before use

Parsley
Remove tie/rubber band, wash and dry, roll in paper towels (slightly damp) and store in plastic bag in refrigerator for a few days

Scallions and Onions
Store in plastic bag in refrigerator for a few days

Lettuce
Store in plastic bags in refrigerator, do not wash until use