Saturday, December 5, 2009

Vegetable Storage Tips

Beets:
  • Store in a plastic bag and refrigerate in the hydrator drawer.

Carrots:

  • For short term storage refrigerate in plastic bag.
  • For long term storage pack in moist sand and keep in cool location.
  • Can be frozen by blanching for 3 minutes, rinse, drain and dry.

Kohlrabi:

  • Store in a plastic bag and refrigerate.

Potatoes:

  • Will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, stored away from light.
  • For long term storage best kept at 45-50 degrees, with high humidity and darkness.

Radishes:

  • Store in a plastic bag or damp-wrapped in refrigerator.
  • For long term storage pack in moist sand a keep in cool but not freezing location.

Rutabaga:

  • Can store up to one week at room temperature.
  • For short term storage, up to 1 month, store in plastic bag or hydrator drawer.
  • For long term storage pack in moist sand and keep in cool but not freezing location.

Sweet Potatoes:

  • Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place for several weeks.
  • Do not store in plastic or refrigerate, or store in temperatures below 50 degrees.
  • Can be wrapped in newspaper in a dry place for long term storage.

Turnips:

  • Store in a plastic bag in refrigerator.
  • For long term storage pack in moist sand and keep in cool but not freezing location.

Winter Squash:

  • Can be stored at room temperature for at least one month.
  • Store at 50-55 degrees for long term storage.
  • Bruised or damaged squash will deteriorate more quickly.

Information provided by From Asparagus to Zucchini, A Guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Farmers Market--December 5th

As many of you know, we've been talking for weeks about a year end sale of root vegetables, potatoes, and squash. We realize it's a big short notice, but we'll be at North Market tomorrow doing just that.

From 8am to 11:30am, we'll sell beets, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, squash and potatoes, along with a few greens and herbs. As usual, we'll have a table full of delicious fall crops but we'll also have field run crops (with dirt left on for good storage). What does this mean? It means you can store veggies through the winter months, at a fraction of the cost. It's a great way to eat local during the colder months, support Wayward Seed Farm, and save money on your food budget. Everybody wins!

Here's a breakdown by item and by price:

$1.25/lb. (clean, any quantity) or $0.60/lb. (field run, minimum 10 pounds)
  • Detroit Dark Beets
  • Gold Ball Turnips
  • Purple Top Turnips
  • Scarlett Queen Red Stem Turnips

$1.00/lb. (clean, any quantity) or $0.60/lb. (field run, minimum 10 pounds)

  • Laurentian Rutabaga

$1.25/lb. (clean, any quantity)

  • Watermelon Radish
  • Black Spanish Radish
  • Daikon Radish

$1.00/lb. (any quantity) or $0.80/lb. (minimum 50 pounds)

  • Beauregard Sweet Potatoes
  • Green Mountain Potatoes

Acorn Squash - $1.00/each

Galeux d'Eysines - $0.80/lb.

Braising Mix - $3.00/lb.

Napa Cabbage - $1.00/head

Red Pac Choi - $1.00/head

Kale - $3.00/lb.

Dill and Cilantro - $6.00/lb.

We'll see you at the market! If you have any questions, let us know.