Tasty and Healthy - the last of 2011 (sniffle)

Sorry for the extra e-mail this week. This is a brief e-mail for some last minute news! It's really the end of 2011!


Special dates and locations this week only:

Monday - we will be at the Cloverleaf location (new hours 9A-1P). If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Friday - our Spring Hill Drive location at the Chevron Station. If you would like any of the Swiss Chard, Collards, or Turnip Roots, please phone to reserve them, so we can bring them with us. The Hernando County Farmers Market is closed next Saturday.

The Farm will be open regular hours.

For our Calendar of Locations, and special times and dates for December, please click here, or click on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page.

Freshly harvested from our pesticide-free fields:

• A New Crop of Collards
• Kale
• Turnip Roots (good for stews, soups, and freezing)
• Swiss Chard (great in winter salads, soups, sides and sandwiches)
• White Icicle Radishes

We are grateful for the opportunity of serving you, and bringing you the freshest, healthiest produce possible at the best prices, for your family's dining enjoyment. Thanks for always being supportive and encouraging. Florida offers unique growing conditions - we always are open to your suggestions.

Available from this morning's trek to the Farmers Market are:


Red and Green Bell Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Eggplant
CeleryGreen Cabbage
Carrots
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Romaine Lettuce
Sweet Potatoes
Bakers
Red Potatoes
Red and Yellow Onions
Butternut Squash
Zucchini Squash
Yellow Squash
Sweet Corn on the Cob
Avocados
Bananas
Limes
Navel Oranges
Pink Lady and Granny Smith Apples
Mangos
Strawberries


For this week's recipes, please check out the suggestions made in our New Year's Edition.


Don't forget your greens and field peas for a Traditional New Year's Day meal! The peas represent coins, and the greens represent those greenbacks! We sincerely do wish you all a healthy, enjoyable and prosperous 2012.


Thanks for always being there to support us - Your Local Farmer. We leave you with these words of Albert Einstein as we begin the New Year:

Veggie Hugs,

Tasty and Healthy - New Year's Edition

We hope you are enjoying wonderful Christmas and Hannukah Celebrations and looking forward to your New Year Festivities. Below some special recipes our family enjoys are being shared with you for the day.

First - a reminder for where we'll be through the end of the year:

Monday - we will be at the Cloverleaf location (new hours 9A-1P). If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Friday - our Spring Hill Drive location at the Chevron Station. If you would like any of the Swiss Chard, Collards, or Turnip Roots, please phone to reserve them, so we can bring them with us. The Hernando County Farmers Market is closed next Saturday.

The Farm will be open regular hours.

For our Calendar of Locations, and special times and dates for December, please click here, or click on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page.

Because we are growing a large variety of Greens this winter, we will be harvesting Greens in a rotational manner. We will do our best to keep you informed of which Greens are being harvested, but if you need special orders, please phone the farm. We will do everything possible to accommodate your requests when special orders are made.

Where else can you phone to have freshly harvested produce made available?

This week's pesticide-free harvest includes:

A New Crop of Collards

Kale

Turnip Roots (good for stews, soups, and freezing)

Swiss Chard (great in winter salads, soups, sides and sandwiches)

White Icicle Radishes

We are grateful for the opportunity of serving you, and bringing you the freshest, healthiest produce possible at the best prices, for your family's dining enjoyment. Thanks for always being supportive and encouraging. Florida offers unique growing conditions - we always are open to your suggestions.

Do you have a traditional meal for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?

Here in the south, Black-eye Peas and Collard greens are traditional dishes for New Year's.

How did this tradition begin?

Sometime in the 1700s, Black-eye Peas were introduced from Africa in the south. It wasn't until the Civil War, when southerners experienced the "luck" of eating the peas. Under the direction of General William Tecumseh Sherman, Union troops would strip the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and corn suitable only for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy these foods. Many Southerners survived as a result of this attitude. Of course, we now know how delicious these dishes are. Recipes abound using such seasonings as "fatback", diced onion, hot chili sauce, and pepper-flavored vinegar. Still others serve with rice, corn bread and pork.

Legend says Collard Greens and Black-eye Peas bring good luck and financial enrichment. The peas represent coins, while the greens symbolize paper money.

 Hoppin' John Southern Peas

Excellent source of potassium and fiber

While we are out of Black-eyes, we still have Pink-eyes, which are pesticide-free, and fresh frozen.

Southern Style Collard Greens

High in vitamins, minerals and fiber

Black Bean Dip

(whether with chips or veggies - a healthy & delicious choice!)

Taco Layer Dip

(full of vegetables, protein, and flavor!)

Suggestions:

While enjoying Hoppin' John, try adding diced turnip root for added texture and minerals.

Coming soon!

Red Swiss Chard (I already sampled this and it is FANTASTIC!)

Spinach will soon be harvested as well.

Both are pesticide-free.

You have the potential to be anything you want to be.

You are free to choose, limited only by your fears.

Let your dreams take over.

Fly with the eagles, soar into life.

The world is waiting for you.

Author Unknown

and another good one for the New Year:

We have the power to challenge and redefine beauty every day through our words and actions.  - Ben Barry -

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Gran'ma Angie, Rolo, Joann, Nana Phyllis, Chef Jack and I love our customers, and appreciate you very much. Thank you for making our farm possible.

New Year and Veggie Hugs from all of us at Beasley Farm,

Taco Layer Dip

In our home, no matter who visits, or what the celebration is, the Taco Layer Dip is always a hit. 

Seldom are ever any leftovers. 
Serve with chips, home-made tortillas, veggies or pita chips.

Easily enjoyed as a main entrée, Taco Layer dip may be served similarly to pizza at meal time 

- except -

this dip is far tastier and much more nutritious than any "mere" pizza.

INGREDIENTS

    * 2 avocados - peeled, pitted and diced

    * 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

    * 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

    * 1/4 cup salsa (see our recipe in the right column)

    * garlic salt to taste

    * ground black pepper to taste

    * 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

    * 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

    * 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

    * 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped

    * 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

    * 2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese blend

    * 1 (2.25 ounce) can black olives - drained and finely chopped 

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados. Mix in lime juice, cilantro, salsa, garlic salt and pepper.

2. In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and taco seasoning.

   

3. Chop your favorite onions and fresh peppers (include bell, banana and if desired, jalapeño) add seasonings (your family's favorites)

4. In a 9x13 inch dish or on a large serving platter, spread the refried beans.

5. Top with sour cream mixture.

6. Spread on guacamole.

7. Top with homemade salsa (tomatoes and a variety of fresh bell and banana peppers) green onions, Mexican-style cheese blend and black olives.

The finished product is delicious and sure to be a hit!

  

Hoppin John recipe for Black-eyes

Hoppin' John recipe for Black-eyes

Hoppin' John

From Diana Rattray,

Your Guide to Southern Food.

Note: This southern recipe is often paired with greens during New Year Celebrations in hopes of prosperity in the coming year. The peas represent coins, and the greens represent... well, you can guess. 

INGREDIENTS:

    * 1 pound dried black-eyed peas

    * 2 small smoked ham hocks or meaty ham bone

    * 2 medium onions, divided

    * 3 large cloves garlic, halved

    * 1 bay leaf

    * 1 cup long-grain white rice

    * 1 can (10 to 14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with chile peppers, juices reserved

    * 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

    * 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

    * 3 ribs celery, chopped

    * 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, minced

    * 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning

    * 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

    * 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

    * 3/4 teaspoon salt

    * 4 green onions, sliced

PREPARATION:

In a large Dutch oven or kettle, combine the black-eyed peas, ham bone or ham hocks, and 6 cups water. Cut 1 of the onions in half and add it to the pot along with the garlic and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently until the beans are tender but not mushy, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Remove the ham bone or hocks, cut off the meat; dice and set aside. Drain the peas and set aside. Remove and discard the bay leaf, onion pieces, and garlic.

Add 2 1/2 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and simmer until the rice is almost tender, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Mince the remaining onion then add to the rice along with the peas, tomatoes, and their juices, red and green bell pepper, celery, jalapeno pepper, Creole seasoning, thyme, cumin, and salt. Cook until the rice is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the sliced green onions and the reserved diced ham. Serve with hot sauce and freshly baked cornbread.

Merry Christmas!

A little photo of our tree, but big wishes for you this Christmas. Our Christmas wish to you is:

Wishing you all the timeless treasures of Christmas ~

The Comfort and Warmth of Home,

The Support and Love of Family,

And the Dear Company of Good Friends.

May the New Year bring Incredible Opportunities,

Serenity and Blissful Peace of Mind,

Good Health,

and

The Knowledge that You are 

Thought of Fondly.

Tasty and Healthy, December 22, 2011

Have you been naughty or nice?

It was great seeing you all last week on the Farm, and in our satellite locations and even here on the blog! We have two inspirational quotes this week and lots of goodies, but first - very important for our Spring Hill Customers to know we will only be your way on Friday (see immediately below)

Just a reminder for where we'll be through the end of the year:

Monday - we will be at the Cloverleaf location (new hours 9A-1P). If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Friday - our Spring Hill Drive location at the Chevron Station. If you would like any of the Swiss Chard, Greens, or Bok Choy, please phone to reserve them, so we can bring them with us. The Hernando County Farmers Market is closed for the next two Saturdays.

The Farm will be open regular hours except on Christmas Day, when we will be closed.

For our Calendar of Locations, and special times and dates for December, please click here, or click on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page.

Because we are growing a large variety of Greens this winter, we will be harvesting Greens in a rotational manner. We will do our best to keep you informed of which Greens are being harvested, but if you need special orders, please phone the farm. We will do everything possible to accommodate your requests when special orders are made.


Where else can you phone to have freshly harvested produce made available?

This week's pesticide-free harvest includes:

Mustards ($4.00)
Collards ($4.50)
Kale
Turnip Roots (good for stews, soups, and freezing)
Broccoli (final cutting)
Swiss Chard (great in winter salads, soups, sides and sandwiches)
White Icicle Radishes

We are grateful for the opportunity of serving you, and bringing you the freshest, healthiest produce possible at the best prices, for your family's dining enjoyment. Thanks for always being supportive and encouraging. Florida offers unique growing conditions - we always are open to your suggestions.

Available this week:

Red and Green Bell Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Eggplant
Green Cabbage
Carrots
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Romaine Lettuce
Sweet Potatoes
Bakers
Red Potatoes
Red and Yellow Onions
Butternut Squash
Zucchini Squash
Yellow Squash
Sweet Corn on the Cob
Avocados
Bananas
Lemons
Limes
Navel Oranges
Pink Lady and Granny Smith Apples
Sweet Pineapple
Mangos
Strawberries

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten 

that we belong to each other.

- Mother Teresa -


and


Blessed are those who can give without
remembering, and take without forgetting.
~ Elizabeth Bibesco

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Gran'ma Angie, Rolo, Joann, Nana Phyllis, Chef Jack and I love our customers, and appreciate you very much. Thank you for making our farm possible.


Christmas and Veggie Hugs,

Tasty and Healthy - December 15, 2011

Thanks for visiting us last week, here on the blog, and at our various locations. We have a new Brooksville location!

But first... 

take a look at these wonderful broccoli heads

 and

gorgeous Mustard Greens
(and the guy is kinda cute, too, but don't tell Rolo we said so, hehe)!

All our Greens are delicious!

These pesticide-free greens are very easy to integrate in your family's meals by adding them to pasta dishes, stews or soups.

Broccoli is in! Mother Nature has been so good to our crops! Pesticide-free Broccoli is being harvested today (Thursday). Perfect for dips, soups, sides, salads, slaws or casseroles, we have a few recipes our family enjoys here on the blog. We hope your family will enjoy healthy broccoli, too! Just click here for the recipes.

 Collards, Mustards, Turnips and Bok Choy are in! 

We are delighted to offer these terrific greens to you throughout the holiday season. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your holiday meal traditions with our flavorful, versatile greens! This year we've added many more varieties of greens, too! Kale is currently trickling in. We will soon be harvesting Swiss Chard. Please phone ahead to reserve greens when purchasing at one of our satellite locations. Because greens are so forgiving, they are easily frozen for future use. Soups and stews with greens added as one of the ingredients can easily be frozen and used later as needed. Our pesticide-free turnip roots are also being harvested. These are great additions in side dishes, soups and stews.

Bok Choy nutrition - here.

Mustards and Collards nutrition - here.

All the special dates for December may be seen on our Calendar (click the tab above).

Monday - we will be at the Cloverleaf location. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Friday - Rolo will be at the Spring Hill location. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with him.

Saturday - Rolo and Joann will be at the Hernando County Farmers Market on Hwy 19 with nearly 80 other vendors! Come browse, shop, and visit with your neighbors - it's an all 'round enjoyable time. You'll also be supporting local businesses by visiting their booths. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Saturday - Gran'ma Angie and Nana Phyllis will be at the Produce Barn until 6PM. Fresh Cut Pesticide-free Greens will be eagerly awaiting you in their little wading pool.

**New**New**New** 

                           

Sunday - Rolo will be at the Hernando County Fair Grounds Flea Market from 8AM - 2PM. This is located in south Brooksville on the east side of Broad Street/Highway 41. We are searching for a new Brooksville location to meet our neighbors' needs. Let us know what you think about this location. It should be a fun place to shop and spend the morning since we are joining many other vendors.

For our Calendar of Locations, and special times and dates for December, please click here, or click on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page.

Because we are growing a large variety of Greens this winter, we will be harvesting Greens in a rotational manner. We will do our best to keep you informed of which Greens are being harvested, but if you need special orders, please phone the farm. We will do everything possible to accommodate your requests when special orders are made. 

Where else can you phone to have freshly harvested produce made available? 

This week's pesticide-free greens include:

• Turnips with Greens ($2 a basket)
• Mustards  ($4.00)
• Collards ($4.50)
• Bok Choy (prices vary depending on size of bunch - $2  - $2.50 range)

It is our greatest pleasure serving you, and bringing you the freshest, healthiest produce possible at the best prices, for your family's dining enjoyment. Thanks for always being supportive and encouraging.

Available this week:

Red and Green Bell Peppers 

Poblano Peppers 

Jalapeno Peppers

Eggplant

Purple and Green Cabbage **recipe below**

Carrots

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Romaine Lettuce

Sweet Potatoes AND super large Sweets for Sweet Potato Pie (the giants are $1.25 each)

Bakers

Red Potatoes

Red and Yellow Onions

Lovely Scallions with lots of firm, green tips

Butternut and Acorn Squash

Yellow squash

Zucchini

Sweet Corn on the Cob

Avocados (aka alligator pears!)

Bananas (how about banana muffins or bread to share with neighbors and friends?)

Lemons **recipe below**

Limes

Navel Oranges

Fuji Apples 

For your convenience, a few of our uploaded recipes. Just click on them below (or in the right column under the word LABELS).

Eggnog Pound Cake

Stir-fried Bok Choy

Broccoli Soup (no fat)

***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE HOLIDAYS***

Corn Casserole

Herb Pull-Apart Rolls

Homemade Herb Bread

Chicken Pot Pie - Family Style

(a wonderful recipe, to feed a large group inexpensively)

There are more recipes located in the right column under LABELS. Slowly the recipes are being moved from our Yahoo Group. We hope you are enjoying them.

So often our expectations exceed reality. We want more than we have; our homes, our loved ones, perhaps our jobs seem not to measure up. "If only" - we say to ourselves. The time has come to quit saying "if only" and be glad, instead for what is. 

--anonymous

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Gran'ma Angie, Rolo, Joann, Nana Phyllis and I love our customers, and appreciate you very much. Thank you for making our farm possible.

Christmas and Veggie Hugs,