How to use Dried Mushrooms...

This winter we will be selling dehydrated mushrooms at the Winona Winter Farmer's Market.  Using dried mushrooms is easy and they make a great addition to winter meals such as soups and croc pot goodies!  Often times the flavor of the mushroom intensifies when dried and if stored properly they will last years.  The best way we have found to store dried mushrooms is in a sealed glass jar out of direct sunlight.

If you are using our dried mushrooms in soups or the croc pot there is no need to re-hydrate prior to tossing them in.  If you are planning to fry, bake, etc. here is the best way we have found to re-hydrate.  Keep in mind that some mushrooms, such as shiitake, will re-hydrate better than others.

Measure out the amount of mushrooms that you need (1 oz of dried shiitake comes back to around 1/2 lb).  Put them in a bowl with warm water.  We often fill the bowl almost to the brim and then place a saucer on top of the bowl so that the mushrooms stay completely submerged.  Set the whole thing aside for 15-20 minutes.  Check on the shrooms and if they feel like they've softened up strain them with a slotted spoon or strainer.  You will want to keep in mind that they will have quite a bit of water content when cooking.  Use them like you would a fresh mushroom.  The by-product of re-hydrating your mushrooms is a bowl of nutrient and flavor rich water that can be added to soup stocks, rice, etc.  Experiment and enjoy!

Thanks for a great season! Box 19 (and 20) Oct. 23rd 2012

Thanks for being a part of our farm this year! Your support is a crucial piece of our operation. We are in our 3rd year of CSA and this was our biggest membership yet. Making the jump from 25-40 members was a little nerve-racking at first, especially given the extreme weather conditions this summer! We definitely learned a lot this year and are excited to implement a few new changes for next season.

We were able to upgrade to a walk-in cooler this fall which will save a ton of time every day (though we’ve gotten pretty good at refrigerator tetris) and will also allow us to harvest storage crops all at once which will free up planting space for other crops sooner.

We will definitely be investing in a better irrigation system next spring. We had one of the worst droughts in a while this year and a lot of our crops suffered because of it. I don’t think we had a decent looking beet all year! The irrigation system will help immensely with our root crops such as onions, carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, etc. These are key crops for us as they store well and are generally things that our membership really enjoys. Having irrigation will also allow us to ensure that we are including a good variety of produce in the boxes each week. When we are faced with tough weather conditions and we end up losing crops it really affects the variety of vegetables that we are able to include in the CSA.

It was a challenging year on the farm but we learned some excellent lessons! Thanks for sticking with us through the good and the bad (hopefully there is more of an emphasis on the good). The CSA model is designed that way. That’s what makes a CSA different. It’s not a replacement for the grocery store or the farmer’s market. It’s a model that allows you to basically become part of a farm. You have an intimate relationship with your farmers. You are supporting a local farm. You are reestablishing a relationship with your food that many people have lost these days. You are able to enjoy the bounty of a great harvest… but you are also assuming a risk. The risk that a crop will fail, or hail will destroy the tomatoes, or a late frost will kill the apple blossoms, or a cow will break into the garden and eat all the kale! Many things can go wrong in the daily life of a farmer and many of these are beyond our control. But for us, the joys far outweigh the woes. We love growing your food but we also understand that the CSA model doesn’t work for everyone.

Thanks again for allowing us to be your farmers! We look forward to continuing to develop our relationship with you…


Your Farmers,


Bryan Crigler and Katelyn Foerster
Herbal Turtle Farms


WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Herbal Turtle Horseradish Sauce
Shiitake Mushrooms
Cabbage
Pumpkin or Squash
Onion
Garlic
Broccoli

BONUS BOX:

Squash or Pumpkin
Bok Choy
Oyster Mushrooms
Watermelon Radish
Onion
Cabbage

RECIPES WE THOUGHT: YOU'D ENJOY

Here are a few pumpkin recipes from one of our members... Thanks Lizzy Haywood!

I made these cookies and they are awesome:


http://www.rawmazing.com/raw-pumpkin-spice-cookies/

And then I got inspired by this recipe:

http://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/fruit-leathers/154-pumpkin-bliss-fruit-leather-gourmet-edition/

....but I modified it thus:

2 c shredded apples (soft ones that aren't as good for munching)
2 ripe bananas
1 c pumpkin puree (cooked, but you could do raw if you want)
1 T real maple syrup
2 t. pumpkin pie spice from the co-op
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c craisins
1/2 c pecans


Make sure to coat your dehydrator or cookie sheet with an oil spray (like organic coconut or canola oil) otherwise these will stick like crazy.

flip the leather once while it is drying.

Frozen fruit leather is yummy, and also if you tear it into bits it makes a good topping for salads!

Braised White Cabbage with Thyme:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/braised-white-cabbage-with-bacon-thy

Shiitake Mushroom Pizza:
http://www.marthastewart.com/256514/shiitake-mushroom-pizza

BOX 18 - Oct. 17th, 2012

Next week is our last CSA box!  Thanks so much for choosing to be a part of our farm this year.  Your decision to be more involved with one the MOST important things in your life... your food... is key in helping to build and maintain a sustainable, healthy food system that generations to follow will benefit from.  THANK YOU! 

In case you did not have a chance to read our previous blog post...  You are the reason we grow vegetables and raise chickens and have dirty fingernails for 6 months out of the year. Your feedback is very important to us and we base most of our farm decisions on member preferences. We have created an online survey that we hope you will take a few minutes to complete. Here is the link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZL632BX. Thanks for your input!

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Spinach
Broccoli
Pie Pumpkin
Carrots
Watermelon Radishes
Shiitake Mushrooms

Please let us know by Monday if you would like the extra box we mentioned in our post last week!  You can email us at info@herbalturtlefarms.com or call 507.450.5877 (Bryan) or 507.313.5085 (Katelyn) and let us know.

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD ENJOY:

Please check back later!

2012 CSA Survey

Our CSA membership is the lifeblood of our farm!  You are the reason we grow vegetables and raise chickens and have dirty fingernails for 6 months out of the year.  Your feedback is very important to us and we base most of our farm decisions on member preferences.  We have created an online survey that we hope you will take a few minutes to complete.  Here is the link:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZL632BX.  Thanks for your input!

Your Farmers,

Bryan and Katelyn

Herbal Turtle Farms  

Box 17 - Oct 10th, 2012

Things are winding down on Herbal Turtle Farms.  We have 2 boxes left this season!  There are LOTS of projects to finish before we settle down for the winter so let us know if you would like to help out with any.  We will continue to take out old crops and trellis, planting garlic and possibly some carrots for next spring, trimming an re-mulching herb beds, putting shiitake logs down to rest, replenishing winecap beds, and more!  We are really hoping to get a cover crop in but it has been so dry this fall that it may do more harm than good.  If we till up the soil and the seeds don't germinate we will be stuck with bare soil over the winter.  If we have a dry winter that could be very bad news.  We may opt to leave the weeds as a cover and try to get a cover crop in early next spring.  

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Snow Peas
Pie Pumpkin
Cabbage
Onions or Leeks
Broccoli
Beets

Since we missed a box in July due to the excessive heat we are offering an extra box during the last week of the CSA.  This box will consist of mainly storage crops such as cabbage, beets, and winter squash, but may also include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, etc.  Whatever we have left we will throw into the box!  We realize that not everyone likes to process foods for the winter so we will be giving members the option of requesting the extra box rather than just giving it out to everyone.  If you would like us to include the bonus box with your final CSA pick-up please email or call us and let us know by Monday, Oct 22nd.  You can reach us at info@herbalturtlefarms.com or 507.450.5877 (Bryan) or 507.313.5085 (Katelyn).   

Your Farmers,

Bryan, Katelyn, and Ayden
Herbal Turtle Farms

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY:

Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Icing:
These are insane.  I made a double batch last time and we ate them in a few days.  If you only make one recipe that I gave out this year-let this be the one.
http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2011/10/pumpkin-cookies-with-cinnamon-icing.html

Swedish Cabbage Soup:
A really great fall soup!  One of my favorites!
http://www.molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipe=cabbage_soup

BOX 16 - October 3rd, 2012

Just when you were preparing for storage crops and cooking greens... BAM!  We hit you with some snow peas.  And they are TASTY.  You may notice a few spots on them here and there which is a reaction to the first few frosts.  We should have more of these next week weather permitting.

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Broccoli
Bok Choy
Spinach
Snow Peas
Watermelon Radish
Leeks
Squash

We are doing a big push this month to get everything winterized!  We will be planting garlic, pulling out old crops and trellis, tilling and planting cover crops and putting mushroom logs to rest for the winter.  It's going to be a busy couple of weeks...  If you are interested in helping out with any of these projects let us know.

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY

Vegetable Stir-fry with Ginger Vinaigrette:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/vegetable-stir-fry-with-ginger-vinaigrette

Coconut Curry Roasted Squash:
http://mindyourbeesandtrees.com/2012/02/16/coconut-curry-roasted-kabocha-squash-and-chicken-with-bok-choy/

Broccoli Rosemary Cassarole:
http://www.organicsoul.com/organic-broccoli-rosemary-casserole/

BOX 15 - Sept 26th, 2012

Pssst... Guess what?  You can make pumpkin pie with out canned pumpkin pie mix!  Yes, ladies and gentlemen it's true, with our revolutionary scientific break-through pumpkins you can now make pumpkin pies from actual pumpkins.  ;)

The frost finished off the rest of our summer crops - basil, beans, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes... but it was a very effective form of weed control also!  Our fall crops are still luscious and beautiful and should produce nicely through the end of the season.  Now that the weather has changed you can expect to get a lot more cooking greens so get those saute pans ready!  You can also easily put up any of these greens by simply cooking, bagging, and freezing them.  The cabbages will last a VERY long time in the fridge so don't worry about trying to get through them too quickly. 

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Watermelon Radishes
Leeks
Prize Bok Choy
Pie Pumpkin

We will be giving out a survey in the next few weeks to get your feedback about your CSA experience this year.  We are always open to constructive suggestions to help us improve our CSA!  Our box supply is quickly dwindling as we approach the end of the season so please be sure to bring your boxes back each week.  Thanks!

Your Farmers,

Bryan, Katelyn and Ayden
Herbal Turtle Farms

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD ENJOY:

Pie Crust à http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_pie_crust/

Pie Filling à http://www.momswhothink.com/pie-recipes/homemade-fresh-pumpkin-pie-recipe.html

Aspargus and Bok Choy Frittata (Asparagus is out of season but you can easily replace it with something else):   http://www.cooking.com/recipes-and-more/recipes/Asparagus-and-Bok-Choy-Frittata-recipe-2083.aspx?a%3dcknwrdne03450a%26s%3ds2015057413s%26mid%3d1166100%26rid%3d2015057413#axzz27bPo3VNE

BOX 14 - Sept 19th, 2012

It's getting cold out there!  We worked in wool hats and long underwear this morning.  Not to worry though... our fall crops don't mind :).  We have a beautiful crop of winter squash and already have snow peas forming!   The watermelon radishes are gorgeous and have a nice mild flavor.  We are experimenting with a radish chip recipe (which we've included) but you can also eat them like a regular radish.  Katelyn likes to dip them in butter and cover with salt!

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Spinach
Sweet Peppers
Hungarian Black Hot Peppers
Broccoli
Winter Squash
Watermelon Radish
Royal Burgundy Beans


We've been super busy lately since James started school again and Katie moved to Madison on a new adventure as an author.  If you've been wanting to come and help out sometime Tuesdays are the day!

Your Farmers,

Bryan and Katelyn

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY:

Watermelon Radish Chips:
http://www.janespice.com/recipes/watermelon-radish-chips-with-cumin-salt

Roasted Sweet and Savory Squash:
http://thecooksnextdoor.com/2009/11/23/market-fresh-vegetable-side-dishes-2/

BOX 13 - Sept 12th, 2012

Our summer harvests are coming to an end and we are starting to see some beautiful fall crops coming in!  The tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers and eggplant are all starting to die back so we may not see much more from them this season.  Yesterday we harvested our first winter squash crop of the year and they are beautiful!  All of our fall successions are still looking great and we have a lot more great produce on the way...

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Sweet Peppers
Hungarian Black Hot Peppers
Broccoli
Purple Beans
Tomatoes
Cucumbers/Lemon Cucumbers
Caraflex Cabbage 
Acorn Squash or Pie Pumpkin

We will be putting one of our fields into a cover crop within the next few weeks.  Hard to believe that fall is upon us!  It's been quite a weather roller coaster this season. 

Your Farmers,

Bryan, Katelyn and Ayden
Herbal Turtle Farms

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY:

Caraflex Cabbage Slaw:
http://mixedgreensblog.com/2010/07/04/seasons-eatings/basic-recipes-on-the-local-table/conehead-cabbage/

Thai Red Curry with Winter Squash:
http://www.eatliverun.com/thai-red-curry-with-kabocha-squash/

Tuna Salad with Lemon Cucumber:
http://seattlebonvivant.typepad.com/seattle_bon_vivant/2004/08/albacore_tuna_s.html

BOX 12 - Sept. 5th, 2012

We are lovin the bounty of beautiful tomatoes on the vines!  Sometimes they love you back as you can see from this awesome picture Katelyn took the other day!   In other news... We got the walk-in built!  MANY thanks to our very good friends and family members who made it possible!  Though we were growing fond of playing cooler tetris every day... we won't miss it much!  Now we just need to get the electrical run and we will be in business

WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX THIS WEEK:

Purple Beans
Baby Swiss Chard
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Garlic
Sweet Peppers
Hot Hungarian Black Peppers
Cucumbers/Lemon Cucumbers
Basil

We were happy to get the rain yesterday and don't seem to have any serious hail damage on the crops.  Still have canning tomatoes if anyone is interested... not sure how much longer we will have them available.  Also, please remember to bring your boxes back each week! 

Your Farmers,

Bryan, Katelyn, and Ayden
Herbal Turtle Farms

RECIPES WE THOUGHT YOU'D ENJOY:

Cherry Tomato Couscous:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/cherry-tomato-couscous-recipe.html

Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil:
http://www.thevanillabeanblog.com/2011/09/spaghetti-with-tomato-and-basil.html

Broccoli Basil Mac and Cheese:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/broccolibasil-mac-and-cheese-recipe.html

Lemony Green Beans:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/lemony-green-beans