Align closer to the season by making sure to keep your pantry stocked with essential items that make mealtime fun and easier. Our culinary and education specialist, Miss Jenn, has put together her top picks to help you cook with ease and obtain optimum nutrition this Winter. Basic essentials are items that you should have on …
Carrots and parsnips are cool-season, root veggies that we plant in early spring and fall. Carrots that have been planted in spring will be available typically from June through November and then longer with cold storage. Parsnips are available, typically, in April & May and then again in October through December. Root vegetables are low …
All of a sudden we shifted from our summer harvest to fall harvest which includes root crops, such as beets & carrots, along with tuber crops, such as potatoes. We grow six different varieties of potatoes on approximately 6 acres of farmland, varieties include russet, red, white, Yukon gold, purple, and fingerling. It’s no mistake that …
Pumpkins are synonymous with autumn and they are more than just a feast for your eyes. Pumpkins are an extraordinary healthy food that is so versatile and nutritious. Central to fall celebrations, you can consume so much of the plant including the flowers, the flesh, the seeds, and the leaves. Commonly harvested around October, they …
Apples have a long history, eventually making their way to New Jersey with the early settlers. Apples were primarily used in our region for cider and hard cider, (aka Apple Jack), as this area provided the right climate for growing apples for the early settlers, more than growing wheat, barley, or hops. Apple production was …
Onions are an aromatic root vegetables and are in season now and that makes us so happy. We grow several varieties of onions here on 3 acres on our farm including; red, yellow, white and shallots. We start onions from seed in our greenhouses in late winter. They sprout and grow and when temperatures are …
September 15th through October 15th, 2022 marks Hispanic Heritage month. Hispanic Heritage month is a celebration honoring the contributions of Americans with roots from Spain, Mexico, Central & South America along with the Caribbean. We will be highlighting some of the Hispanic heritage contributions provided by our valuable team members all month long. This week’s …
Tomatoes are the fruit of the tomato plant. They are botanically classified as a fruit since they contain seeds and grow from a flowering plant, however, they are more commonly known as a vegetable to most people. The first tomatoes that are said to come to Europe were yellow varieties, therefore, the Italian word “Pomodoro” …
Late summer and early fall brings one of the most iconic and beloved fruits of the season, apples! With over 50 different varieties, we have an apple flavor and profile to please everyone. Maybe you would prefer sweet mild Galas over a sharp tart Granny Smith, a zesty Winesap over a juicy McIntosh, now is …
We’re celebrating our 40th year of farming in Chester, NJ and are excited to share our humble roots with you. Farmer Kurt W. Alstede began farming on a couple acres of land located in Chester Township, N.J. back in 1982, learn more about it here. In honor of our 40th anniversary our culinary specialist has …
Summer squash are varieties of Cucurbita pepo related to pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. Believed to be native to America’s, summer squash are harvested when immature and the rind is still tender and edible. We farm 4 acres of squash growing six different varieties including; yellow round (AKA 8 ball) green round, yellow straight neck, Cousa, …
We were delighted to have interviewed Caroline on her last day of her marketing internship on our farm earlier this month. Enjoy Caroline’s perspective of life before, during and after her internship at Alstede Farms. Before Caroline, a local high school graduate and current University student interned with us throughout the summer. Caroline has always …
