Paisley Farm CSA blog

March is said to be in like a lion and out like a lamb… However we are seeing pretty lamb-y conditions upstate here! The sun is shining and temperatures are temperate enough to wander around and smell the fresh air. 

For this Week:

. A Variety of Cheeses (everyone will get “a cheese” though everyone will not get the same one. For those who’s boxes might have had MIA cheese, that is being replaced this next share.) 

. Red Onions

. Parsnips

. Carrots

. Local Honey

. Butternut Squash

. Empire Apples

. Potatoes 

. Red or Black Beans 

. Eggs

….next week, some more mesclun greens, a special box next week. 

In other news… here is a bit of what has been going on the last few days before this lovely sun got to us! The Word of the Day this past week was… Mud. M. U. D….

Despite the sad reputation mud has in some circles, it is really a very happy byproduct of melting snow and good earth. It is also a sign spring is just around the corner! This past week many of us saw rain, snow, slush, more rain, lots more snow, and little to no sun. As we bid farewell to the month of February, many are quick to want to close their eyes and not open them again until March 21 and the start to spring are here… but not so quick! The last bit of winter and into early spring will bless you with another round of CSA goodies, including lots of beans and grains, as well as an Open House Maple Syrup Demonstration Party at the Farm!!! 

(and the crowd goes wild.) 

At least the crowd known as myself went wild, as there is nothing quite as fun as gathering around in the last bits of snow and tapping the trees for local, delicious Maple Syrup. Come for the Maple Syrup demonstration, where refreshments and snacks will also be provided. There will be an open grill so folks can grill as they please hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, veggie burgers or whatever tickles your fancy from the barbie! Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy in quantities that suit your agenda, though hot spiced cider will be provided by Michael and family. Being incredible hosts is yet another of their great qualities outside of growing top notch vegetables, roasting darn good lamb and being in the know about great music. It is always a good time with good company up here! So make a day trip out of it and consider lunch already taken care of, too. 

The buckets are hung on the trees with care, in hopes that you all will soon be there… wait….

Here, that is, 284 Pleasant Vale Road, Tivoli NY 12583 (map)… but logistics aside… 

Please join us for the Open House Maple Syrup Demonstration 

@  284 Pleasant Vale Road, Tivoli NY 12583

on Saturday March 20 

from 11 am to 4 pm. 

Maple syrup season actually runs into late April though many think it is a dead of winter event… images of snow make that feasible but with the coating of white on the grounds here, it will just as picturese as ever. A snapshot of you or your youngsters next to the maple syrup trees? Can you say holiday card 2010 picture? Maple syrup has been getting some good press lately in newspapers across America, with one mentioning an indiana syrup producer Tim Burton, of Burton’s Maple Farm. He was quoted as saying “I think you’re going to see more chefs reaching out to farmers and producers.” With maple syrup quickly moving off pancakes and into a broad range of dishes (noted in an entry here.) The demand continues to grow as not just due to the generalized rejection of other sweeteners these days. The flavor of maple syrup is more complex than basic sugar, with different syrups maintaining different flavor profiles. Though Vermont produced over 900,000 gallons in 2009, we are lucky to have local New York state maple syrup being produced right here, right now… and before your very own eyes! (and hands if you come up March 20.) 

Maple syrup might seem common place to some but if you grew up on a tan sweet liquid that flowed out of a woman’s head labeled “pancake syrup” (like myself) you will greatly appreciate the clean flavor and simple goodness of fresh local maple syrup. Real maple syrup also has ONE ingredient… maple syrup. A quick jump over to a nameless brand of syrup gave me this:

INGREDIENTS: CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, CELLULOSE GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, SALT, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVES), ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVORS, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE.

…and I cried a little inside. For the good of all pancakes and biscuits, bowls of oatmeal and yogurt, vinaigrettes and chicken glazes… please take advantage of our wonderful Maple Syrup.

From our trees to your tables.