Happenings at the Farm

THIS SATURDAY: December 6th, 11 am - 1:00 pm - Holiday Wreath-making - Event is full.


We're back after a wonderful Thanksgiving break, and I'm getting right to it with more squash talk! Delicata squash begin their veggie life with green skin. As they "grow up" they begin to develop orange stripes and their skin goes from green to yellow to a creamy white and sometimes even a beige or tan color. The orange stripes also often change to dark green as the squash continues to ripen. A fully ripe delicata will have a creamy consistency when cooked, with loads of sweetness, of course! The beautiful thing about delicata squash is that the skin is thin and edible. No peeling required! That thinner skin also means that this squash doesn't store quite as long as the thicker-skinned varieties. While a butternut squash will last 3-6 months under good storage conditions, delicata will stay fresh for about 1-2 months. The best advice regarding storage is to keep your winter squash in a cool, dry, and preferably dark space - with good ventilation. Winter squash prefer temps around 50 to 55 degrees, and refrigeration is a big no-no! Curing the squash is also essential for ensuring long storage life and the best flavor - but we do that for you! Squash has tons of nutritional benefits including being good for your bones. It's true! Squash provides not only calcium, but also minerals such as manganese, zinc, and magnesium, plus vitamins A and C, all of which are beneficial for bone formation, density, and strength. Sign me up; I'm in. How about you?


The field crew was busy harvesting away today as we loaded the cooler back up with lots of fresh veggies. Tuesday we'll have more green beans. Yay! Carrots and rainbow carrots will be on the shelf. Leeks are still plentiful and great for winter soups. Broccoli and baby broccoli are abundant right now. And we still have loads of sweet peppers and tomatoes. Summer never ends here! But winter is near, and we have the winter squash to prove it! Have you noticed the recent influx of citrus to the stand? We have Cara Cara oranges as well as Navel oranges. Page tangerines and Satsuma mandarins are also on offer. Kishu mandarins - these small, sweet, and easy to peel delicacies will only be around a short while. Grapefruit and pomelos are ready to be added to your next breakfast. Kiwi fruit is back and as good as ever! See Canyon apples are here today, but gone tomorrow (or pretty darn soon). Don't fret, we'll have more apples, but these super local babies are almost done for the season. Ditto for the Winter Nelis pears. (And if you haven't tried these pears yet...you're missing out!) It feels like forever since we last saw you! Come by to say, "Hi."


-Eileen

Inside the Harvest Bag


Tuesday, December 2, 2024

Harvest Bag

all for $20

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Delicata Squash (see recipes)

Leeks (see recipes)

Sweet Cornitos Peppers

Broccoli

Romaine Lettuce

Jicama

Sierra Gold Potatoes

Early Girl Tomatoes

Kiwi Fruit (Mallard Ranch, Nipomo)


Vendors


VENDORS THIS TUESDAY



  • Little Red Hen Bread



  • Brannum Family Farms Microgreens




The Farm Stand Table should have...


Grown on our farm using organic practices and no pesticides:


sunchokes | radicchio | celery root

strawberries | blackberries | Italian eggplant

winter squash: spaghetti, kabocha, acorn, delicata, and butternut

jicama | early girl tomatoes | 4th of July tomatoes

orange, purple and white-flesh sweet potatoes | red and gold beets

poblano peppers | shishito peppers | jalapeno peppers | sweet cornitos peppers

baby broccoli | broccoli | cauliflower | blue lake green beans

halcyon gold, sierra gold, and fingerling potatoes

celery | fennel | endive | leeks | salad mix | arugula

yellow onions | collard greens | napa cabbage | spinach

red and green salanova lettuce | red butter lettuce | romaine lettuce

dandelion greens | kale | carrots | rainbow carrots

mint | flat-leaf parsley | rosemary | thyme | sage | chervil | cilantro

spicy greens | mustard greens | scallions

kidney, flor de mayo, pinto, and peruano dry beans

chicken eggs (limited) | sage bundles | essential oils and hydrosols

Halcyon Farms Merch: aprons, market bags, sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts

____________________


From our partner growers using pesticide-free and/or organic practice


kiwi fruit | chanterelle mushrooms

pomelos | ruby star grapefruit | mello gold grapefruit | limequats | page tangerines

winter nelis pears | apples - fuji and pink lady | mandarinquats | navel oranges

cara cara oranges

Valencia oranges | satsuma mandarins | kishu mandarins | Hass avocados

local honey | garlic | stone-milled flours | almond brittle

bee pollen | beeswax soap - new! | beeswax taper candles - new!

granola (Saturdays)

vegetable and herb starts from Growing Grounds Farm

cyclamen plants

Recipes

Pasta with Roasted Delicata Squash, Leek and Kale


Ingredients


For the roasted delicata squash

  • 1 delicata squash
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • A few twists of black pepper


For the pasta

  • 8 ounces rigatoni
  • 1 to 2 leeks (1 cup chopped leek)
  • ¼ cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • 2 packed cups of kale leaves, finely chopped


Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400F degrees. Cut off the ends of the delicata squash and slice it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Slice each squash half into ½-inch wide half moon shapes. Transfer the delicata squash pieces to a baking sheet and toss with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Roast the delicata squash for 10 minutes. Flip the pieces over and roast for 10 to 12 minutes more, until tender and slightly caramelized. Set the roasted delicata squash aside.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta and return it to the pot. Toss the cooked pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent the pieces from sticking together.
  4. Cut the dark green tops off of the leeks and discard or save for making vegetable broth. Roughly chop the white and light green section of the leeks and place them in a bowl. Fill the bowl with water and use your fingers to separate the layers of the leek and clean out any debris. Drain the leeks and dry them between two kitchen towels or paper towels.
  5. Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped almonds and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a small bowl and set aside.
  6. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 cup of chopped leek. Season the leek with ¼ teaspoon of salt and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté a minute more. Remove from heat and fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, coating the noodles with the garlic butter and leeks.
  7. Place the chopped kale in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. With clean hands, massage the kale for a minute or two, until softened and bright green. Scoop the massaged kale into the skillet and stir to combine all of the ingredients.
  8. Transfer the roasted squash to the skillet and stir gently to incorporate it with the pasta and veggies. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve warm.


Adapted from https://www.oldplankfarm.com/

Click here to purchase an eGift Certificate to Halcyon Farms.

Stand Hours


OPEN RAIN/SHINE, YEAR ROUND

(may close for high winds or flooding)

Tuesdays & Fridays: noon to 5 pm

Saturdays: 10 am to 3 pm


FARM STAND LOCATION:

1075 "The Pike" in Arroyo Grande.

We are located on the south side of The Pike,

between Halcyon Road and Elm Street.

write an email to us at

halcyonfarmsag@gmail.com

Grab and Go Harvest Bags


AVAILABLE TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS ONLY


NO RESERVATION OR SUBSCRIPTION NECESSARY. $20 per bag.


We have a wooden lean-to set up adjacent to our parking lot with the Harvest Bags and a white mail box where you can put your payment ($20/ bag). We accept cash, checks, and Venmo at the table. Or, you can come into the farm stand to pay by EBT or credit card.

Halcyon Farms | 1075 The Pike in Arroyo Grande | www.halcyonfarmsag.com