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 …
It’s Melon season on our farm right now and we typically have them available August through October, weather dependent. We farm 4 acres of melons growing 7 different kinds including red and yellow seedless watermelon, red and yellow seeded watermelon, muskmelon (AKA cantaloupe), honeydew melon and canary melon. Melons belong to the Cucurbits or Gourd …
Eggplant, also known as Aubergine, is technically a berry, as it contains small edible seeds, although it is regarded as a vegetable in cooking. Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family which also include; peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Eggplants are in season on our farm in the summer months of late July through September, …
This is one of my favorite recipes. My mother always prepared this dish when tomatoes would get a little soft. There are no specific measurements. Fill a square or oblong glass pan or even a pie pan. Fill the pan with 2-3 layers, until the pan is half – 3/4 full. Thinly slice tomatoes sprinkle …
The amazing tomato is our eating in season feature of the week. Botanically known as a fruit, culinary speaking we refer to tomatoes as vegetables. Tomatoes can be classified according to their harvest time or by their characteristic type. That means you may hear the term early, mid season or late being used in addition …
Garlic is one of those things that is so very loved by some and not so much by others, a true dichotomy if you start asking around. Here’s an example of that divide, even in our culinary specialist Miss Jenn’s’ own family, as her parents cooked with garlic daily while growing up. Now she and …
Peas may be thought of as a vegetable, however, are actually a legume belonging to the same family as beans, peanuts, chickpeas and lentils. Peas grow on a vine in pods and are easy to tell when ripe for picking as they become plump. They are in season in NJ mid June through July and …
You may have heard about garlic scapes and their alluring flavor and uncommonly unique taste. Garlic scapes are a vegetable, an aromatic, and also an herb all in one. They are the tender stem and flower buds of a garlic plant and grow straight up from a garlic bulb and then curl a bit by …
Rhubarb is a vegetable often put into the same culinary uses as fruits. Rhubarb consists of red stalks (similar in texture to celery) with long green leaves which are non-edible. Considered a powerhouse veggie rhubarb is rich in phytochemicals, phenols, as well as other vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Rhubarb is in season April through June …
Leeks are in the allium family related to onions, garlic, chives, shallots, ramps and scallions. One taste and you will be able to tell that very easily. Leeks have a sweet, milder onion flavor that works so well as a base for soups, stews, pasta dishes. It’s a long bulbous vegetable with white flesh and …
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense perennial vegetable and a member of the lily family. It is only harvested during spring months in our area, so when it’s available be sure not miss the chance to savor some of these tender veggies. Remember that eating in season and eating local is more sustainable and tastes best! We …
Meet Trish Cirelli, our CSA administrator here at Alstede Farms. Trish adores being a part of our Community Supported Agriculture program as she just loves helping people enjoy all the benefits of eating farm fresh. Some of her best recipes she has learned from our culinary specialist or from CSA members themselves. It’s their interest …
