Late summer and early fall brings one of the most iconic and beloved fruits of the season, apples! With over 50 different varieties, we have an apple flavor and profile to please everyone. Maybe you would prefer sweet mild Galas over a sharp tart Granny Smith, a zesty Winesap over a juicy McIntosh, now is… Read More »

Summer squash are varieties of Cucurbita pepo related to pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. Believed to be native to America’s, summer squash are harvested when immature and the rind is still tender and edible. We farm 4 acres of squash growing six different varieties including; yellow round (AKA 8 ball) green round, yellow straight neck, Cousa,… Read More »

We were delighted to have  interviewed Caroline on her last day of her marketing internship on our farm earlier this month. Enjoy Caroline’s perspective of life before, during and after her internship at Alstede Farms. Before Caroline, a local high school graduate and current University student interned with us throughout the summer. Caroline has always… Read More »

It’s Melon season on our farm right now and we typically have them available August through October, weather dependent. We farm 4 acres of melons growing 7 different kinds including red and yellow seedless watermelon, red and yellow seeded watermelon, muskmelon (AKA cantaloupe), honeydew melon and canary melon.  Melons belong to the Cucurbits or Gourd… Read More »

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 »