Rumar Farm is a busy place and we are always excited when its raspberry season. We are working hard at adding natural nutrition to the canes, we use Organic Stella Maris (liquid seaweed) and mulch them well to stay weed free. The patch is a work in progress and is showing great promise! Because these berries are in such demand, we have expanded our patch and look forward to an even bigger crop in coming years.
If you are looking for a nutrient-packed superfood that is a deliciously sweet treat, look no further than raspberries. Not only are these vibrant little gems a low-calorie snack, but they also provide a medley of health benefits. Raspberries are a type of bramble fruit, which includes blackberries and loganberries. These fruits are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Raspberries contain high levels of vitamin C, folate, manganese, and copper. Vitamin C helps support our immune systems and folate is known for playing an important role in brain development. Manganese and copper are essential for bone-building, and their levels of naturally-occurring antioxidant compounds protect our cells from damage. It is important to eat raspberries organically grown due to their delicate and thin skin that takes up pesticides quickly. Furthermore, our organic raspberries are hand picked daily to ensure sweet, juicy berries.
Here is what you can expect this week:
Raspberries These sweet and tart beauties are summer-bearing which means they only ripen a few weeks in the summer and then they are gone. If you love raspberries and want more, check out our on-line store. We have “all hands on deck” picking this week and next.
Sour Cherries Sometimes referred to as pie cherries (for obvious reasons), sour cherries are tart and tangy which make them ideal for sauces, cocktails, vinaigrettes and more. Here are some common options to use up your share of cherries:
1. Cherry Pie: Make a classic cherry pie with a homemade crust and a sweetened sour cherry filling. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
2. Cherry Jam: Turn the sour cherries into a delicious jam. Simmer them with sugar and lemon juice until thick and then preserve in sterilized jars.
3. Cherry Compote: Cook the cherries down into a compote, adding some sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Serve it over pancakes, waffles, or yogurt.
4. Cherry Crumble: Make a cherry crumble by layering the cherries at the bottom of a baking dish and then topping them with a crumble mixture of flour, oats, butter, sugar, and spices. Bake until golden and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
5. Cherry Sauce: Blend the sour cherries with a little sugar and strain to make a smooth cherry sauce. Use it as a topping for cheesecake, pancakes, or brownies.
6. Cherry Smoothie: Blend the cherries with yogurt, milk, and a touch of honey for a refreshing and healthy cherry smoothie.
White Turnip Super sweet, delicate almost fruity flavour and crunchy texture make them a new popular variety developed in Japan. Can be pared with almost anything, most commonly grilled, stir-fried, added to soups, roasted, braised or they can also be eaten raw. Grate it into salads or slice it like an apple to eat with dips. No need to peel, simply wash and prepare. The greens can be added to your salad.
Mixed Summer Squash Comes in all shapes and sizes, it has thin edible skin and is a fantastic low-calorie vegetable. If you are wondering how to cook summer squash, there are plenty of creative and delicious ways and here are just some ideas: Grilled vegetable skewers: Cut the summer squash and zucchini into chunks and thread them onto skewers. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until tender and slightly charred. Zucchini noodles (zoodles): Use a spiralizer or peel the zucchini into thin ribbons to turn the zucchini into noodles. Sauté them in a pan with garlic and olive oil and serve with your favorite pasta sauce or as a base for stir-fries. Stuffed zucchini boats: Cut zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers. Fill them with a flavorful mixture of cooked ground meat (such as chicken or turkey), vegetables, herbs, and cheese. Bake until the filling is cooked and the zucchini is tender. Sometimes the simplest methods are often the tastiest! Cut squash lengthwise and brush with olive oil then grill on the BBQ until cooked. Sprinkle with herbs and finish with a bit of parmesan cheese and lemon juice. What a nice, easy way to enjoy summer squash and zucchini at the height of summer.
Mixed Kale Tender young leafy greens that we can never get enough of with so many ways to enjoy. Try in salads, soups, roast it or turn into kale chips the kids will love as a healthy snack.
Collard Greens The perfect southern-inspired vegetable side dish. A member of the cabbage family has an earthy flavour and a meaty, tender texture unlike any other cooked green you’ve had before. They need to be cooked, too tough to eat raw. Clean and cut into one-inch pieces. In a frying pan, cook bacon and soften onions and add the cut greens and some broth. Cook until tender about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with pulled pork, fried chicken or BBQ ribs. Also goes nicely with home made macaroni and cheese!
Lavender Plant A lovely and versatile herb, with attractive silvery=gray foliage and vibrant purple flowers. Its fragrance is known for its calming and relaxing properties. lavender repels mosquitoes, moths and other pests, so plant this into our patio area and it will come back every year. It also attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The flowers can be added to salads, teas and cocktails.
Enjoy
