Author: Rebecca Bilodeau

2/15-2/19

February is a time when we start to dream about spring. Farmers pull out seed catalogues. Potted hyacinths appear in grocery stores. The days get ever longer and brighter (even if they stay bitter cold). A special treat that hints at all the new life that start to emerge in just a few weeks can be found in Dogma boxes this week.

Pea shoots brighten this week's boxes with a burst of green. The delicious young pea plants have the faintly sweet flavor of pea pods, and are crunchy and refreshing. Farmer Deb Barrett of Allen Farms delivers the pea shoots this week. She has grown herbs, flowers and vegetables using organic methods for the last 25 years on the farm's 50 acres of fields, as well as in seven greenhouses equipped for year-round production. Several of the vegetable varieties grown at Allen Farms are rare heirloom varieties, and pains are taken to ensure soil and plant health.

Topics: Local Dogma Box, Newsletter, Eat Local, organic carrots, Organic Farmers, Organic Sprouts, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Root Vegetables

A weekly update from Boston Organics.

Happy Presidents’ Day! In Massachusetts, the holiday officially recognizes George Washington’s birthday, though in other states Abraham Lincoln shares the top billing. Though the founding father is often associated with cherries (and cherry trees), we present a rather different recipe in his honor, as well as some other suggestions for dining and snacking like a boss. We think Mr. Washington would approve.

Topics: Recipes, Winter Produce, Newsletter, organic citrus, Organic Grocery Add-Ons, Fresh From the Farm, Organic Herbs, Organic Sprouts, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston

2/8-2/12

The sun rises a little earlier each morning, sparking dreams of spring though we continue to hibernate through winter. This week, little balls of amber winter sun can be found in Boston Organics boxes in the form of Gold Ball turnips. These hearty roots have a slightly sweet flavor and smooth texture.

Topics: Organic Turnips, Local Dogma Box, Newsletter, Eat Local, organic carrots, Organic Farmers, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Root Vegetables, organic beets

A weekly update from Boston Organics.

Tuesday, February 9th is Mardi Gras, the final day of a season of festivities and feasting. In New Orleans, revelers nosh on King Cake, muffuletta sandwiches, jambalaya and crawfish etoufée to begin the somber season of Lent with a bang. This week, we’re celebrating Mardi Gras New England style! The winter veggies of our northerly latitude merrily don the traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple and parade throughout Boston on their green plastic floats.

Topics: Organic Turnips, Recipes, Organic Kohlrabi, Winter Produce, Newsletter, Organic Bananas, Organic Grocery Add-Ons, Fresh From the Farm, Organic Bok Choy, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Broccoli, organic beets

A weekly update from Boston Organics.

This week's boxes are all about weird but lovable relatives. From the mysterious Cameo apples (we're not sure how they're related, but we're too polite to say so) to cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, those estranged cousins, you'll find delightful, delicious produce filling your green box, whether you care to explore the botanical family tree, or just invite it in for family dinner.

Topics: Recipes, Winter Produce, Newsletter, Organic Grocery Add-Ons, Fresh From the Farm, Organic Bok Choy, Organic Apples, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Cauliflower, Organic Brussels Sprouts

2/1-2/5

In the chill of winter, most locally grown vegetables are kept in root cellars or other specialized storage facilities. Generally, storage crops should be kept in the dark, to prevent roots and tubers from sending out sun-seeking sprouts. Leeks, however, are a different story. The flavorful alliums are stored standing upright, with just a little light shining on them. The light tricks the plants into behaving as though they are alive, keeping them fresh and tasty all winter long, the better to grace your warming soups and stews. Using leeks from Brookford Farm this week, prepare some Cock-a-Leekie, a savory soup with Scottish roots and a surprising hint of sweetness.

Topics: Local Dogma Box, Newsletter, Eat Local, organic leeks, Organic Farmers, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Potatoes, Organic Root Vegetables

1/25-1/29

Though mushroom foragers may be out of luck as snow covers the treasures they seek, the Boston Organics Community need search no farther than their green boxes. This week we will be delivering delectable fungi from Mousam Valley Mushrooms of Springvale, Maine. The family-operated farm grows certified organic mushrooms in its converted historic dairy barn, where the farmers are able to control the mushrooms’ environment to ensure the ideal growing conditions. The mushrooms are cultivated on sustainably sourced Maine hardwood and straw.

Topics: Local Dogma Box, Newsletter, Eat Local, Organic Farmers, Organic Mushrooms, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Root Vegetables

A weekly update from Boston Organics.

For the next month, a very special astronomical phenomenon will be visible in the morning sky—from January 20 to February 20, all five visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) can be viewed simultaneously in the wee hours of the morning. If you cast your sights a little closer to home, you may find a few especially bright points in your Boston Organics delivery this week too. We are excited to introduce two new items (Broccolini and kumquats), as well as see the return of Murcott mandarins. Unlike the five bright planets, which were last seen together fifteen years ago, we have only had to go without this tasty citrus since last winter.

Topics: Recipes, Organic Mangoes, Winter Produce, Newsletter, organic citrus, Organic Grocery Add-Ons, Fresh From the Farm, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston

1/18-1/22

This week, Boston Organics begins a new partnership with Brookford Farm. After living and working on diversified, biodynamic farms in Russia, Germany and the United States for several years, Catarina and Luke Mahoney started their own farm operation in Canterbury, New Hampshire. In 2012, they moved from their original 200 acre property to the current 613 acre site, where they raise many varieties of organically grown vegetables and grains, as well as pasture-fed cows, pigs and chickens.

Topics: Organic Cabbage, Local Dogma Box, Newsletter, Eat Local, Organic Farmers, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Root Vegetables

A weekly update from Boston Organics.

Though January may be a month of cold, quiet and subdued colors, the produce Boston Organics is delivering this week didn't get the message. This week's boxes include tasty treasures like crisp butter lettuce and intensely red blood oranges. We are grateful for all the nutrients packed into these brightly-colored foods, helping keep us healthy and well even when it's gray outside.

Topics: Recipes, Winter Produce, Newsletter, organic citrus, Organic Grocery Add-Ons, Fresh From the Farm, Organic Bell Peppers, Organic Grocery Delivery Boston, Organic Leafy Greens