Root Vegetables

We've been enjoying lots of root vegetables this fall including this beautiful (and delicious) Carrot/Beet Slaw which incorporates the colorful carrots and beets we're harvesting now.

The basic recipe is one from Chef Butch and Chef Colin who did an awesome cooking demonstration at the Potter County Farmers' Market in summer 2013. Of course, I have altered it a bit to fit the ingredients I have on hand.

Carrot/Beet Slaw
Large beet, grated
Carrot, grated
Finely chopped red or green sweet pepper
Finely chopped jalapeno pepper
Finely chopped shallot (adjust for your own taste)
Finely chopped parsley (I prefer the flat-leaf type)
Dressing:
2 Tb. vinegar (consider using rice wine vinegar for a milder tang or balsamic for deep, sweet flavor)
2 Tb. olive oil
1 tsp. honey (consider using real maple syrup or you can use sugar)
salt and pepper to taste

We have a nice harvest of carrots that we're beginning to dig. We plant our main crop of carrots late to help avoid weeds (fat chance!) and find that the chilly weather in the fall helps to sweeten them. There are also some beautiful beets still in the field that will be gathered soon.
As with all of our crops, if you're interested in these, please call (274-8004) or email (metzgerfarm@gmail.com) to make arrangements for pickup or delivery.

Potatoes Are In!

This photo documents the last of the 2014 potato harvest, completed last week. (It was a beautiful shirt sleeve day – quite a change from the dusting of snow on the ground this morning... sigh!)
If you'd like a winter supply of organic spuds, contact us soon to make arrangements. There's a price break if you buy 10 pounds or more. Telephone 814-274-8004 or email metzgerfarm@gmail.com. Retail locations include Costa's in Coudersport and Genesee Natural Foods. Look for them on the menu at the Crittenden too!

How Hot Is Hot?

The addition of the high tunnel to the farm has opened new opportunities for vegetable varieties that have traditionally been difficult to bring to maturity in our short growing season.

Hungarian Hot Wax, Jalapeno, Czech Black, Ring of Fire, Maya Red

Hot peppers are an excellent example. While we've had moderate success in the past with Early Jalapeno and Hungarian Hot Wax peppers, our hot pepper repertoire has expanded to include varieties of Cayenne and Habanero varieties.
While hot peppers are not exactly a Potter County Farmers' Market favorite, we've found uses for the excess production including fiery hot sauce, salsa and – our favorite – dried hot pepper flakes.
The dehydrator is doing its thing on the back porch as I write this, the sharp aroma punctuating the cool fall air as the these beauties relinquish their moisture but not their heat!

Organic Apples!

Arthur poses with Bridget Reynolds at Quest Farm Produce in Almond, N.Y.

We're excited about the harvest of organic apples from our "new" orchard and even more excited to be offering them for sale at Quest Farm Produce in Almond, N.Y. So far we've made two deliveries of these organic beauties to the store run by Denis and Bridget Reynolds, organic farmers and friends. If you're in the neighborhood (perhaps while taking in the Allegany Artisan Studio Tour next weekend, Oct. 19 & 20), stop by their store at 7142 State Route 21 to see all that they offer. 

We've been apple lovers for years and have enjoyed harvesting Northern Spy, MacIntosh and Golden Delicious apples from older orchards on our farm. The majority of the fruit trees in our new orchard were planted in April 2012 and they've been carefully tended since then. Harvest this year is limited but we're expecting next year to produce even more.

Joe awaiting his apple-planting assignment (April 2012)

Conner and Arthur separating trees (April 2012)

Apples top the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen again this year. To come up with the rankings, the group analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S.D.A. and the FDA. They found that 99 percent of apple samples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue. That's the reason we're committed to growing our apples organically. We know folks are anxious to have safe, local sources for this nutritious and beloved fruit.