Blessing Falls Family Farm

This week the blackberry harvest is peaking so we expect all shares to have berries.  Our onions are also ready.  As noted last week, we harvested all the Chinese cabbage earlier than expected due to increasing bug problems.  So shares had an extra portion of those last week instead of having some this week too.

We continue to prepare for summer with another succession of summer and winter squash, cucumbers, melons, and tomatoes planted this week.  If you missed our Spring Farm tour last Saturday, here are the highlights.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 7 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

Half Share: Blackberries, Carrots, Chard (double portion), Basil, Beets, Kale, Onions

Full Share: Blackberries, Carrots (double portion), Chard (double portion), Basil, Beets (double portion), Kale, Onions, Beans or Mizuna, Fennel, Squash, Dill

check back for a photo later this week as we harvest and pack shares

Recipe

Blackberry and Basil Lemonade

Ingredients
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon water
10 blackberries
Juice of 1 lemon
4 fresh basil leaves
Ice
1 cup club soda (8 oz)

Steps
1. In cocktail shaker, place sugar and water; stir until sugar is dissolved.
2. Cut 8 of the blackberries into quarters; add to shaker. Add lemon juice and 2 of the basil leaves. Fill shaker with ice. Cover tightly with shaker lid; shake vigorously.
3. Strain mixture into 2 cocktail glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with 1/2 cup club soda. Garnish each with 1 whole blackberry and 1 basil leaf. Serve immediately.

Remember also the many other recipe ideas from past seasons, as well.

Blackberries are starting to ripen and we should have enough for all Full shares this week. Others will get berries next week, though we hope there will be enough for everyone in week 7.

Our Spring Farm Tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 12.  Contact us for more details if you’d like to come.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 6 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

note at harvest: We harvested all the Chinese Cabbage this week to stay ahead of bugs

Half Share: Carrots, Chard, Basil, Beets (double portion), Squash or broccoli greens, Onions, Pea tendrils, Chinese Cabbage (double)

Full Share: Carrots (double portion), Chard (double portion), Basil, Beets (double portion), Beans, Squash or broccoli greens, Onions, Pea tendrils, Chinese cabbage (double), Kale, Blackberries

Blessing Falls Full Share, Spring week 6: kale, chard, Chinese cabbage, pea tendrils, carrots, beets, basil, beans, blackberries, squash

Recipe

This recipe from past seasons works well with this week’s share:

Baby Beet and Carrot Salad with Herbed Yogurt Ranch

Remember also the many other recipe ideas from past seasons, as well.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 5 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

Half Share: Red onion, Lettuce, Chard, Mizuna, Broccoli Greens, Beets, Carrots, Herb

Full Share: Red onion, Lettuce, Chard (double portion), Mizuna or Pak Choy, Broccoli Greens, Beets (double portion), Carrots, Herb, Kale, Squash, Spinach

Blessing Falls Full Share, Spring week 5: kale, spinach, chard, lettuce, red onion, squash, beets, carrots, mizuna, broccoli greens, dill

Blackberries are just starting to ripen so we expect enough for some or most shares next week!

Recipe

Try roasting your carrots and beets with olive oil and dill! This is our favorite way to eat these young veggies.  Remember also the dozens of recipe ideas from past seasons, as well.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 4 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

Half Share: Lettuce (double portion), Beets, Mizuna, Kale, Swiss Chard,  Rosemary, Broccoli greens

Full Share: Lettuce (double portion), Beets (double portion), Pak Choy, Mizuna, Kale, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Broccoli greens, Rosemary, Squash or radishes, Baby carrots

Blessing Falls 2018 Spring season Week 4 Share. Clockwise from top left: Broccoli Greens, Lettuce, Spinach, Beets, Bok Choy, Rosemary, Swiss Chard, Carrots, Kale, Mizuna. Center: Squash

Recipe

Try some of our recipe ideas from past seasons, as well as this new one:

Skillet  Dinner with Broccoli Greens (source)

Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4-5 kielbasa links, thinly sliced
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup fresh green beans, chopped
• 1 – 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 cups broccoli leaves, shredded
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Rice or pasta for serving

Instructions

1 Add oil to large non-stick skillet at medium-high heat. Add sausage, bell pepper and green beans. Sauté until sausage is browned and vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
2 Add peppers, broccoli leaves, and spices. Sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes, until broccoli leaves are softened.
3 Serve immediately with your favorite whole grain and a sprinkle of Parmesan or Feta cheese.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 3 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

Half Share: Asparagus*, Lettuce mix, Head lettuce, Pak Choy, Beets, Mizuna, Kale, Swiss Chard

Full Share: Asparagus*, Lettuce mix, Head lettuce, Pak Choy, Beets (double portion), Mizuna, Kale, Swiss Chard (double portion), Radishes, Spinach, Broccoli greens, Dill, Onion scapes

*Asparagus was in Round Rock, Hutto, Taylor, and residential Pflugerville shares in previous weeks.  Members picking up at Rise Martial Arts will get asparagus this week.

Blessing Falls 2018 Spring season Week 3 Share. Clockwise from top left: Asparagus, Onion Scapes, Dill, Mazuna, Lettuce Mix, Bok Choy, Beets, Kale, Broccoli Greens, Swiss Chard, Radishes. (center) Head Lettuce, Spinach

Recipe

Try some of our recipe ideas from past seasons, as well as these new ones:

How to Roast Beets (article includes links to other beet recipes)

Bok Choy with Garlic, Honey, and Soy

We have a few shares still available for Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, and Taylor with 12 weeks left in our spring/summer season.  Here’s how to sign up.

Here’s what’s expected in our Spring week 2 shares:
(Shares may vary slightly depending on field/garden conditions)

Half Share: Asparagus*, Spinach, Lettuce mix (double portion), Kale, Chard, Beet greens, Onion scapes, Dill, Radishes

Full Share: Asparagus*, Spinach (double portion), Lettuce mix (double portion), Head Lettuce, Mizuna, Kale, Chard, Beet greens (double portion), Onion scapes, Radishes, Cauliflower greens, Cilantro

*Asparagus was in Round Rock, Hutto, and Taylor shares last week.  This week asparagus is planned for Pflugerville residential and on-farm pick-ups.  Rise Martial Arts shares will get their asparagus next week.

Blessing Falls 2018 Spring season Week 2 Share. Clockwise from top left: beet greens, cauliflower greens, mizuna, onion scapes, spinach, lettuce mix, radishes, kale, cilantro. Center: butter crunch head lettuce, Swiss chard

Recipe

Try some of our recipe ideas from past seasons, as well as this new one:

Kale Pesto
INGREDIENTS
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic
• 3 cups packed kale (about 1 small bunch)
• ¾ cup hemp seeds or toasted walnuts or pecans
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• ¾ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• Red pepper flakes, optional (if you want to add some kick)
• ¼ cup flaxseed oil or extra-virgin olive oil (more if desired)
• Entirely optional: ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS
In a food processor, add the peeled garlic cloves and process until the garlic is minced. Add the kale, hemp seeds, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Turn on the food processor and drizzle in the oil. Process until the pesto reaches your desired consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste and add more lemon, salt or pepper if necessary. Serve with your favorite pasta or use in sandwiches or on pizza!

Source