Should I Stay......
Hello folks!
A couple of notes:
Reusable Bags:
This weekend is the triumphant return of the cloth bags, just in time for pouring rain over the next 24 hours. Great. Please return these to us each week, we wash and reuse them! High fives to the Planet!
Donations Report Card:
Last month, with your generous help we donated over $6,300 donations to local organizations fighting food insecurities in our communities. We sourced purchased food from local bakeries, restaurants and farms and donated to the Woburn Food Bank, Mass Bay Vets, the Chelsea Collaborative, the Cambridge Women's Center and more. Thanks friends, it feels good to do good.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Erin + Tim
Should I stay, or Should I go now?
It should be obvious, even to the casual listener or burgeoning melomaniac, that The Clash wrote their iconic 1982 anthem about the weather in New England, particularly the sun in early Spring. To call our climate erratic and befuddling is an understatement. Last week we basked in abundant sun, regaled the soaring temps and I horrified my friends and neighbors with the glaring alabaster of my legs in shorts.
Today, we've retreated back into our turtlenecks and hoodies and the weatherfolk are warning of snow.
If you think you're distressed and confused, how do you think the plants feel? They're getting more back and forth from Mother Nature than Pluto got from NASA. (note: Currently just a "dwarf planet" but give it time.)
This liminal period between seasons may have us whining for more consistent temps, but there are also reasons for optimism of the culinary variety. Spinach is here and Spring Dug Parsnips have shown up ready to party. (Spring Dug Parsnips spend the winter in the ground, taking a long rest like Superman in the Fortress of Solitude. When you dig them up in the Spring they are well rested and sweet.)
Shannon has also been waxing poetic about the changing seasons and what's coming on the farming horizon:
"While I look out on my family’s farm, I see the yard dotted with yellow and purple flowers (dandelions and violets) that have become more and more pronounced over the past week and a half. Baby nettles are starting to shoot out and remind me to consume bitter herbs and wake up my system from it’s winter state of rest.
This is also a critical time on farms. As each farmer tries to hedge their bets around the frosts. The exciting part though is that spring veggies are coming, ones that can handle a little chill. Usually those veggies are mainly greens. We are still some weeks away from the early summer “veg” veggies like zucchini. Over the next few weeks though, you can enjoy dishes that have a cross over from winter to spring; from the storage to the renewed glory of greens, bite of radishes, and intrigue from ramps or fiddleheads!"
There you have it, folks. Thoughtful, informative content from Shannon and Astronomy/Throw Back Superman jokes from me. Sounds about right.
We hope you enjoy this week's bounty and can't wait to see what next week brings!
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Delivery dates: Saturday, 4/17 and Tuesday, 4/20
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will just receive the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, and not the dairy items.
Add-on Grain of the Week - Granola from Forge
Add-on Bread of the Week - Whole Wheat Round from Forge
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Banana Bread from Forge
Pro-tip: you can now add extra treats to your share by adding "treat of the week" or "pastry of the week" to your subscription!
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Flounder from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Ravioli from Valicenti; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from LEF**, Blue Potatoes from Juniper Hill Farm; Apples from Champlain Orchards; Parsnips from Juniper Hill Farm and Ward's Berry Farm
Grain - Pita Chips from Brewer's Crackers
Special Treat - Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Forge
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Flounder from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's
Pescatarian Protein - Flounder; Scallops from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's
Vegetarian Proteins - Ravioli from Valicenti; Tofu from 21st Century; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's
Paleo Proteins - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Flounder from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from LEF**, Blue Potatoes from Juniper Hill Farm; Apples from Champlain Orchards; Parsnips from Juniper Hill Farm and Ward's Berry Farm; Spinach from Brookford Farm; Onions from Brookford Farm
Grain - Pita Chips from Brewer's Crackers
Special Treat - Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Forge; Lemon Cloud Sandwich Cookie with Citrus Creme Center and Blackberry Jam from Pure Pastry
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Flounder from Red's Best; Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's; Spring Day Creamery Evangeline or Josh Pond Farm Rocky Lake Raclette
Pescatarian Protein - Flounder; Scallops; Salmon from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's; Spring Day Creamery Evangeline or Josh Pond Farm Rocky Lake Raclette
Vegetarian Proteins - Ravioli from Valicenti; Tofu from 21st Century; Vegan Chili from Forge; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Sophia's; Spring Day Creamery Evangeline or Josh Pond Farm Rocky Lake Raclette
Paleo Proteins - Andouille/Montreal Sausage from Brookford Farm; Flounder from Red's Best; Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from LEF**, Blue Potatoes from Juniper Hill Farm; Apples from Champlain Orchards; Parsnips from Juniper Hill Farm and Ward's Berry Farm; Spinach from Brookford Farm; Onions from Brookford Farm; Tomatoes from Five College Farm; Butternut Squash from Plainville Farm and Juniper Hill Farm
Grain - Pita Chips from Brewer's Crackers; Focaccia from Forge
Special Treat - Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Forge; Lemon Cloud Sandwich Cookie with Citrus Creme Center and Blackberry Jam from Pure Pastry
RECIPES
(from Shannon)
Purple Gnocchi - First, there are two things you need to know about me. 1.) I am OBSESSED with purple vegetables. My garden has multiple beds dedicated to purple vegetables. 2.) I'm one of those millennials that refused to download Tiktok but spend an embarrassing amount of time watching reels on instagram. I found this one and immediately checked if I could get more blue potatoes for everyone to try and make this recipe!!
Andouille Sausage Soup - With lower temperatures than last week, I'm looking forward to making a lovely warm and smokey soup!
Apple, Parsnips Soup - Speaking of soup, here's another yummy one :)
Spinach Salad with Chicken and Crispy Potatoes - Martha says this is a good one and so I will say it is too.
Baked Flounder with Parsnips and Carrots - 10/10 for the picture alone!
18th Century Salmon and Onions - The internet if full of many strange things. If you are interested in trying an 18th Century Spanish Salmon recipe, this youtube video is for you!
Onion Yogurt Dip - Try this out with your Brewer's Cracker Pita Chips or make some parsnip fries and enjoy!
Want to share with us recipes that wow'ed you or show off something incredible that is just going to make me hungry while checking emails? Drop us a line over at recipes@sharefamilydinner.com. We'll be highlighting your recipes and creations in coming weeks! (I am loving all the things you have sent in! Stay tuned for highlights to be coming soon!)
**Lettuce storage tips! Put a paper towel on the top of the container and flip upside down in the fridge to avoid condensation ruining the lettuce quickly. As temperatures are changing and same with humidity keep a close watch on the condensation in the clamshells.