Community Supported Agriculture
 
Happy Holidays from the Dumaresq Family

Farm Notes:

This is the last week of the 2018 CSA shares. This week leaves the whole farm team a little sad. We love what we do and love getting up every day to work our butts off to provide fresh healthy food to you. For the last 40+ weeks, in spite of a snowy, wet and cold start AND finish to the season, we convinced the soils to provide quite well to us all. The mixture in the shares this fall has been different than past years even though our plans were very similar. We react to the situations nature gives us and make the most of them.

Normally we rely almost only on the heat from the sun to grow greens in the greenhouse. Given the fact that the deer and the cold weather reduced this fall's field harvests significantly, we turned on the heaters in the greenhouses in November to push along the greenhouse crops to make up for the lack of field harvests. Though the fall harvests of root crops and brassicas (Romanesco, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) were few, the December harvests of greenhouse spinach and kale were more than ever. Perhaps it was not the items that we planned on initially, but at least they were harvests!

Though we are sad to see the season end, we need the time to take a short break, to recharge our batteries, to spend time with family and friends, to clean up, to repair equipment, to reflect, and to prepare for the season ahead when the days begin to lengthen. But most importantly, earlier this year, Jane and I welcomed Katherine to the world to join our family with our twins. Without Daddy needing to get out on the farm early in the morning, this winter respite will give us more family time to snuggle with these munchkins as they are already growing up too fast.

As we approach the holidays know that we are wishing you peace and happiness in the year ahead. All of us at Farmer Dave's thank you for your trust and commitment to our work in producing the healthiest food for you. Tasting and seeing the goodness that has been given us this season gives us the joy that leads us to this holiday season.

Happy Holidays,
Farmer Dave and the whole farm team 

Please Bring Bags and Return all CSA Bins!

This is the last week of the 2018 season and it's time for us to start inventory for next season.

Please take a look around your home and return any Farmer Dave's CSA bins that may have accumulated.

Thank you!
Baby Sweet Potatoes
What's In My Share

This week features baby sweet potatoes. These little gems are highly sought after by chefs and for good reason. They cook up quickly and their small size packs a sweet punch. Try my favorite grain bowl recipe below.

Don't forget to use the swap box! It's not just for trading for your favorite vegetables. If you won't use something in the share, have a busy week and won't be able to cook everything, or just feel overwhelmed leave your extras in the swap box and they'll be donated to one of our many hunger relief partners.
  • Baby Sweet Potatoes
  • Farmer Dave's Pickles
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Garlic
  • Cranberries
  • Assorted Apples
  • and more!

This is what we are planning and hoping to harvest this week.  Ultimately Mother Nature has the last word so the actual contents of your share will vary.

2019 CSA Registration is Open!

Early Bird Special

Shares registered and paid for by 1/4/2019 will receive 2018 pricing.

All shares now available in Andover & Jamaica Plain!

Potato
Recipe of the Week:
New England Grain Bowl

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 lb chicken breast
  • 1 1/2 lb baby sweet potatoes
  • 2 apples
  • 2 oz sharp cheddar
  • 1 bunch kale
  • 1 cup pearled farro
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 5 Tablespoons olive oil
  • salt & pepper
Directions:
  1. Heat oven to 400F. Rinse and scrub sweet potatoes to remove any grit. Dice into small, 1/2 inch cubes. On one side of a baking sheet toss the sweet potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss pumpkin seeds with olive oil and salt on the other side of the sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are browned and tender.
     
  2. Bring 8 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the farro and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Drain well and set aside. Pat chicken dry, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
     
  3. Remove stems from kale. Stack leaves on top of one another and slice into thin ribbons. Cut the apple into thin matchsticks or small cubes. Cut the cheese into small cubes. Set aside. Check the sweet potatoes and pumpkin seeds. Turn with a spatula to cook evenly.
     
  4. In a large bowl whisk 4 tbsp olive oil, cider vinegar, dijon, and honey together until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper Add the kale to the bowl and gently massage the dressing into the kale to help soften the texture.
     
  5. Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering add the chicken in an even layer and cook until browned, about 8 minutes, flipping once during cooking. Place the chicken on a cutting board and let rest for 3-5 minutes.
     
  6. When the farro is cooked, drain well in a strainer. Add the farro and sweet potatoes to the kale and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Divide between four bowls and top with the roasted pumpkin seeds, apple, cheese, and chicken. Enjoy!
     
Check out all our Vegisodes and subscribe to be notified when timely new videos are added.
These videos are designed to help you make the most of your CSA share with tips on storing, preparing and preserving your veggies.  


15% off Farmer Dave's Holiday Gift Boxes!

Share a Taste of the Farm and Save!

Collections of pickled produce, tomatoes, jams, hot sauce, and raw honey. All products are made from produce grown on the farm, and our wonderful bees.

Choose from:
  • Sweet & Spicy on the Farm (pictured)
  • A Taste of the Farm
  • Farm Jam Session

 

Check out all of the collections & ordering information here.



Groundwork Share-a-Share
Thanks to generous donations by you (our CSA Members) to the Groundwork Share-a-Share fund, we were able to subsidize the cost of shares in 2017 for over 30 individuals and families, as well as shares for local food pantries.  
Please consider helping us in our efforts to make the CSA accessible to more families by donating to Groundwork Share-a-Share.
Helpful Links

Farmer Dave's LLC. | |   [email protected] | http://www.farmerdaves.net  (978)-349-1952