Best of Boston
My wonderfully kind and gracious mother always told me it is impolite to brag. I trust and love her implicitly, so normally I would abide by such maxims. That said:
HOLY SH*T, you guys! We were named Best of Boston for Best CSA! (It's also apparently impolite to swear, I'm in big trouble. Sorry, Mom.)
But Wowweeee are we excited. It's such a great nod to the incredible work of all the farmers, growers, and producers we get to work with, and to this amazing community of supporters. It's also a well deserved high-five to our intensely dedicated, hard-working team.
A huge thank you to everyone who makes this possible. Shucks, you're just the best.
Producer Highlight
For this week's Mezze Selection, Shannon reached out to the folks at Maitland Mountain Farm for pickles. Maitland Farm was started in 2009 with Dynamic Dad and Daughter Duo Peter and Holly Maitland. They were joined by Andy, who became Holly's hubby. The couple built two greenhouses and started cranking out beautiful produce.
One year they had a bumper crop (translation: a wicked lot of any given crop) of cucumbers and needed to find a home for them. Having been an enthusiastic novice in the pickle world, Holly dove in. They were soon delivering to restaurants, farmers' markets, and now directly to your home (via us!).
This is a fun little twist for mezze of the week and we hope you love it. Picklebacks for everyone! (Not to be confused with Nickleback. No one needs that.)
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (MA)
Delivery dates: Saturday, 7/2 and Tuesday,7/5
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will receive just the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (i.e., eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, not the dairy items.
Add-on Bread of the Week - Rye Pullman from Iggy's
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Swiss from Pineland Farm
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Fusilli from Seven Hills
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Cookout Chips from Vintage Maine Kitchen
Add-on Grain of the Week - Italian Rolls from Iggy's
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Bread and Butter Pickles from Maitland Mountain Farm
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Apricot Ginger Scones from A&J King
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - White Bean Salad from Forge
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites
Pescatarian Protein - Skate from Red's; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites
Vegetarian Proteins - Black Bean Burgers from VT Bean Crafters; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Zucchini from Langwater Farm; Cabbage from Kitchen Garden Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Lettuce from Clark Farm
Grain - Brioche Buns from A&J King
Special Treat - Chocolate Chunk Cookies from A&J King
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Skate from Red's; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Skate, Sea Bass from Red's; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Black Bean Burgers from VT Bean Crafters; Ravioli from Valicenti; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Skate from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Zucchini from Langwater Farm; Cabbage from Kitchen Garden Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Lettuce from Clark Farm; Kale from Iron Ox Farm and Cedar Rock Gardens; Currants from Norse Farm
Grain - Brioche Buns from A&J King
Special Treat - Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Butterscotch Brownies from A&J King
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Skate from Red's; Chorizo from Broad Arrow; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheddar from Pineland Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Skate, Sea Bass, Salmon from Red's; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheddar from Pineland Farm
Vegetarian Proteins - Black Bean Burgers from VT Bean Crafters; Ravioli from Valicenti; Lentil Fingers from Magic Bites; Baba Ghanoush from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheddar from Pineland Farm
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farm; Skate from Red's; Chorizo from Broad Arrow; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Zucchini from Langwater Farm; Cabbage from Kitchen Garden Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Lettuce from Clark Farm; Kale from Iron Ox Farm and Cedar Rock Gardens; Currants from Norse Farm; Spinach from Pete's Greens; Potatoes from Brookford Farm
Grain - Brioche Buns from A&J King; Granola from Forge
Special Treat - Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Butterscotch Brownies from A&J King
RECIPES (MA)
(from Shannon)
Grilled Skate - We're thinking about grilling all the things, so why not try out this skate recipe!
Cabbage Slaw - What BBQ would be complete without some slaw? Not feeling the mayo? Try out this vinegar-based recipe!
Perfect Burger - How to perfectly cook burgers on the grill, in a pan, or a griddle!
Zucchini and Tomatoes - Roasted zuke or summer squash with tomatoes is one of my favorite sides ever! (Throw them in a big pouch of aluminum foil and you can even cook them on the grill.)
Sea Bass and Kale Sheet Pan - Sometimes I forget how quickly fish cooks up, but dang! 25 minutes to dinner with this one-pan recipe!
Currants! - Everything you need to know about these tart flavor bombs!
Chorizo Hash - I could eat this every day. NOM!
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (ME/NH)
Delivery date: Saturday, 7/2
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will receive just the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (i.e., eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, not the dairy items.
Add-on Bread of the Week - Hot Dog Buns from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Fusilli from Valicenti Pasta Farm
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Cookout Potato Chips from Vintage Maine Kitchen
Add-on Grain of the Week - Seed'Nola from 88 Acres
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Bread & Butter Pickles from Maitland Mountain Farm
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Chocolate Croissant from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Sausage of the Week - Kielbasa from Colvard & Co.
Add-on Treat of the Week - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - White Bean Salad from Forge Baking Co.
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Goranson Farm; Green Leaf Lettuce Head from Jordan's Farm; Strawberries from Jordan's Farm; Green Cabbage from Goranson Farm; Bunched Radishes from Goranson Farm (Paleo Shares only); Snap Peas from Jordan's Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Cookout Potato Chips from Maine Vintage Kitchen
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Halibut Steaks from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Tofu from Heiwa; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Goranson Farm; Green Leaf Lettuce Head from Jordan's Farm; Strawberries from Jordan's Farm; Green Cabbage from Goranson Farm; Bunched Radishes from Goranson Farm; Snap Peas from Jordan's Farm; Garlic Scapes from Langwater Farm (Paleo Shares only); Bunched Onions from Blossom Brook Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Cookout Potato Chips from Maine Vintage Kitchen
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Peanut Brittle from Two Fat Cats Bakery
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Fresh Kielbasa from Colvard & Co.; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Halibut Steaks from Harbor Fish Market; Cod from True Fin*; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Steak Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Fresh Kielbasa from Colvard & Co.; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Tofu from Heiwa; Enchiladas from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Queso de Verano from Silvery Moon; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Goranson Farm; Green Leaf Lettuce Head from Jordan's Farm; Strawberries from Jordan's Farm; Green Cabbage from Goranson Farm; Bunched Radishes from Goranson Farm; Snap Peas from Jordan's Farm; Garlic Scapes from Langwater Farm; Bunched Onions from Blossom Brook Farm; Cucumbers from Kitchen Garden Farm (Paleo Shares only); Red Potatoes from Brookford (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Cookout Potato Chips from Maine Vintage Kitchen; Granola from Forge Baking Co.
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Peanut Brittle from Two Fat Cats Bakery
*Super frozen to -60ºC which means zero ice crystals rupturing cell structure while defrosting which means zero difference from fresh and zero issues searing. ❤️
RECIPES (ME/NH)
(from Joe)
Marinated Steak Tips - To me, few things are more evocative of New England than marinated steak tips and this is how we generally do them as it's remarkably tasty and couldn't be easier. And there is no shame in having Ken's Italian in your fridge to use as a marinade, but if you want something a little more hands-on, these Brown Sugar Bourbon Steak Tips will fit the bill quite nicely.
Grilled Halibut Steaks - Halibut! Almost out of season, we managed to score some of you some lovely steaks that will be begging to be put on the grill. While it takes well to bigger flavors, I like to keep things simple.
Strawberry Shortcake - We're nearing the end of strawberry season and, other than just eating them out of the pint container, strawberry shortcake, IMO, takes the cake for best use. One of my all-time favorite desserts. And amazing on pound cake or biscuits, too.
Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas - First snap peas of the year! If you can resist just popping them into your mouth (after, perhaps, a dredge through some onion dip), this is a dead easy and delicious way to prepare.
Grilled Chile-Lime Arctic Char - Looking like salmon but a bit less fishy, Arctic char takes to big flavors pretty dang well. And this would go swimmingly with:
Strawberry Cheese Salad With Queso Fresco And Cotija - Tasty summer eats.
Coleslaw - As much a part of Independence Day as fireworks and strawberry shortcake.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!