Forkful: Sept & Oct 2021 - Week 18

WHAT'S IN MY SHARE?

• Lettuce
• Kale
• Peppers
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Winter Squash

PICKUP LOCATIONS & TIMES
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​Hatfield Area Members 
​Bardwell Farm
49 Main Street - Hatfield, MA 01038

• Tuesdays & Fridays
• 3pm to 6pm
• Choice selected, curbside pickup & delivery

Center Fresh Chicopee Members
Center Fresh Chicopee Farmers Market
31 Springfield St - Chicopee, MA 01013

• Thursdays
• ​1pm to 6pm
• Pre-prepared tote pickup

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WEATHER ALERT
Monday - September 27, 2021
The 10-day weather forecast is looking great, dry and cool!

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​FIELD NOTES

Flashback 2020: High Tunnel Winter Growing 
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It's almost October and winter is just around the corner! There's only 2 more weeks of the farm share left and a little more than a month before the farm stand officially closes for the season. Again, it feels bittersweet. On one hand we get a little rest and and on the other, we won't see the folks we've shared this extremely challenging season with. One thing for sure, for us, it will go by quickly with all of the planning for next season.

The fields are finally beginning to dry out and give our fall crops a break. We harvested sweet corn, broccoli, broccolini, and even spinach over the weekend, and it all looks amazing. I really wish we would have had normal weather conditions over the summer, we experienced so much loss.

Both of our hight tunnels are cleared out and we're preparing for winter growing. It feels like we get another chance after the crazy season we went through. We should have fresh greens through March if all goes well, stay tuned.

​Owner Harrison Bardwell

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WHAT TO USE FIRST​

• Kale - you want to eat your greens when they are at their darkest color, especially kale, you will always get the maximum benefit
• Bell Peppers - don't wash until use, refrigerate in a plastic or paper bag keeping the end open, 5 to 10 days shelf life​
• Lettuce - wash, dry, place in a container with a paper towel on the top and bottom, refrigerate in crisper, 5 to 10 days shelf life
• Carrots - store unwashed in a cool dark place, wrapped in a paper towel and placed in a plastic bag in crisper drawer, 2 weeks plus shelf life
• Winter Squash - store in a cool dry place for up to 1 month
• Potatoes - 3 to 5 weeks in the pantry, 3 to 4 months in the refrigerator

​DID YOU KNOW: Baby Carrots
Turns out they are either immature carrots, hence their small size, or pieces of larger, thin carrots that are cut into pieces. The latter idea came from Mike Yurosek, a California farmer who got tired of chucking blemished carrots away and started cutting and peeling the vegetables into tiny perfection. In 2010, carrot farmers got together and started promoting baby carrots as an alternative snack food — a successful campaign that has plenty of people snacking on carrots instead of chips. 

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LETS GET COOKING

BOURBON GLAZED CARROTS
Food Wishes | YouTube
Learn how to make a Bourbon Glazed Carrots recipe! Go to http://foodwishes.blogspot.com for the ingredient amounts, more information, and many, many more video recipes! 

more recipes:

• Sam's Famous Carrot Cake - AllRecipes
• Carrot Noodles with Peanut Dressing - Food Network
• Garlicky Lacinato Kale - Yummly
• Lacinato Kale Pasta with Parmesan & Breadcrumbs - Yummly
• Slow Cooker Winter Squash with Sage & Thyme - Epicurious
• Stuffed Delicata Squash - Kitchen Treaty
• Perfect Potato Soup - The Pioneer Woman
• Fondant Potatoes - AllRecipes

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WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE FARM

The fall temperature change brought foggy morning conditions!

The head broccoli harvest on Saturday was amazing!

The tomato tunnel is all clear and ready for winter growing!

Filling the big yellow bins with winter squash!

We're clearing the pepper tunnel to also make way for winter growing!

We should be harvesting sweet corn for the next 3 weeks or so!

Pumpkin Days officially began this past weekend!

Our next spinach setting is off to a great start!

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CAN'T MAKE YOUR PICKUP DAY?
If you cannot make your pickup day a friend or family member can pick it up for you or for themselves.

Reminder: pickup days cannot be changed, the day that was chosen on the enrollment form will be your day for the 20 weeks of the program

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7 DAY SUPPORT
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, need assistance or want to provide constructive criticism. Also, don’t be afraid to talk with your Bardwell Farm Representative in-person during a pick-up day. You can always contact us by using the links below. 
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(413) 800-5583
[email protected]