Eggplant, also known as Aubergine, is technically a berry, as it contains small edible seeds, although it is regarded as a vegetable in cooking. Eggplants are a member of the nightshade family which also include; peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. Eggplants are in season on our farm in the summer months of late July through September,… Read More »

The amazing tomato is our eating in season feature of the week. Botanically known as a fruit, culinary speaking we refer to tomatoes as vegetables. Tomatoes can be classified according to their harvest time or by their characteristic type. That means you may hear the term early, mid season or late being used in addition… Read More »

Garlic is one of those things that is so very loved by some and not so much by others, a true dichotomy if you start asking around. Here’s an example of that divide, even in our culinary specialist Miss Jenn’s’ own family, as her parents cooked with garlic daily while growing up.  Now she and… Read More »

Peas may be thought of as a vegetable, however, are actually a legume belonging to the same family as beans, peanuts, chickpeas and lentils. Peas grow on a vine in pods and are easy to tell when ripe for picking as they become plump. They are in season in NJ mid June through July and… Read More »

You may have heard about garlic scapes and their alluring flavor and uncommonly unique taste. Garlic scapes are a vegetable, an aromatic, and also an herb all in one. They are the tender stem and flower buds of a garlic plant and grow straight up from a garlic bulb and then curl a bit by… Read More »

Rhubarb is a vegetable often put into the same culinary uses as fruits. Rhubarb consists of red stalks (similar in texture to celery) with long green leaves which are non-edible. Considered a powerhouse veggie rhubarb is rich in phytochemicals, phenols, as well as other vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  Rhubarb is in season April through June… Read More »

Leeks are in the allium family related to onions, garlic, chives, shallots, ramps and scallions. One taste and you will be able to tell that very easily. Leeks have a sweet, milder onion flavor that works so well as a base for soups, stews, pasta dishes. It’s a long bulbous vegetable with white flesh and… Read More »

Asparagus is a nutrient-dense perennial vegetable and a member of the lily family. It is only harvested during spring months in our area, so when it’s available be sure not miss the chance to savor some of these tender veggies. Remember that eating in season and eating local is more sustainable and tastes best! We… Read More »

Meet Trish Cirelli, our CSA administrator here at Alstede Farms. Trish adores being a part of our Community Supported Agriculture program as she just loves helping people enjoy all the benefits of eating farm fresh. Some of her best recipes she has learned from our culinary specialist or from CSA members themselves. It’s their interest… Read More »

Passover or Easter can be a traditional time for eating this delicious Jewish, and some say German, inspired baked casserole. Culinary Specialists say Kugel is basically a baked casserole that begins with a starch then with the addition of some eggs and fat turns into a yummy dish. Typically the starch is potato based for… Read More »

Spinach is a cool weather vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and fiber. Belonging to the amaranth family, spinach is also related to beets and quinoa. It is said that this vegetable originated from Persia and that during medieval times the green pigment may have been used as ink for artwork.  We grow the… Read More »

Culinary herbs are herbaceous plants meaning they have non-woody stems, their above ground growth typically dies back in winter and may have underground plant parts to it. Herbs are a renewable resource used to add flavor and color to all types of meal for centuries. Herbs have also been known in history to be used… Read More »