Welcome to the Boston Organics Blog!

While working at a small, diversified farm in North Carolina, a member of the Boston Organics staff gave a tour to a group of elementary school students. The farm staff offered the kids small samples of the produce that was growing in the fields, including bits of fragrant fennel fronds. After chewing on the leaves, one of the students announced “This is the best licorice ever!” Though licorice, fennel and anise are all completely different plants, they all share a bit of that distinctive “licorice” flavor. And in general, we agree with that observant youngster; fennel is pretty awesome.

Topics: Beneath The Peel / Digging Deeper, Organic Fennel, Original Boston Organics Blog

Produce for Winter Preparedness

In New England, cucumbers are often thought of as a refreshing, late summer vegetable, but we are lucky to have Northeast-grown cukes now, in February! These hydrating cucurbits come to us from the Deep Root Organic Co-Op, whose member farms are spread throughout Vermont and Quebec.

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

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

Our Florida citrus supplier, Uncle Matt’s, has been sending us exceptional navels, Cara Caras, grapefruit and Minneolas this winter, but bringing you fresh, organic fruit from a region hit hard by a pernicious disease and its insect carrier, the Asian citrus psyllid, has become an increasingly herculean task.

Topics: organic citrus

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