Natick Community Organic Farm

Farmers Market Series Part One: Needham

All during open-air market season, I’ll be visiting different farmers markets in Boston and Metro West (where I live), and reporting back about the vendors, produce, and goods for sale. First up- Needham Farmers Market. Last Sunday was opening day for the Needham Farmers Market, and I’ve visited twice. The first thing that you need…

Asparagus Scallion Risotto

I’m all about keeping meals simple this spring: last week it was simple grilled haddock with rhubarb tomato salsa, and the week before it was over-easy egg sandwiches with spring greens. Making risotto this week was a time commitment, so it’s best to keep the ingredients simple. Asparagus and scallions, two stars of the spring…

Baked Apples with Rolled Oats, Cinnamon and Maple Syrup

We’ve all heard the stories about the sad kid and the neighbor that gave out apples for Halloween, but that’s probably because they weren’t sweet, baked apples with yummy local ingredients #trickortreat A lot of people add honey and brown sugar to baked apples, but we love them with local maple syrup. Of course, we think…

Growing a Kale Caesar Salad

Spring has been slow to get growing; this time last year I was cooking with zucchini and tomatoes but they haven’t popped up yet this season. Instead of tables full of veggies, produce vendors at the farmers market had tables full of seedlings, and lots of asparagus. I’ve spent the past year shopping without a…

Baked Salmon over Orange Maple Beets and Carrots with Quinoa

Oakdale Farms in Rehoboth, MA, grows produce all year round. They have cold frames and indoor gardens through the winter, so the beets and carrots that I bought yesterday at the Natick Farmers Market were just picked. Cold frames are covered structures that use solar energy and insulation to create a warm environment for plants. They are…

Acorn Squash and Spinach Salad

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I visited the Natick Community Organic Farm for Maple Magic Day. On a cold and windy day, we huddled up with other kids and adults eager to visit the farm to see how maple sap is collected and cooked down to make syrup. Even though in the weeks…

Community Supported Agriculture

I just picked up my first CSA share of produce from Stearns Farm in Framingham, MA, and I’m trying not to panic. Four heads of lettuce, spinach, cabbage, bok choy, scallions, garlic scapes: This is exactly what I got last week at the market. I had bought a similar basketful from the Natick Farmers Market,…

It’s 7:40 am and there’s heavy traffic as I drive through Natick Town Center. Once I pass the throng of cars waiting to cross Rte 9 and hit the Mass Pike, the town is peaceful. This is the only time that Casey Townsend, Assistant Director at Natick Community Organic Farm, can meet me. His day officially…