Fail Better Blog

1 qt new potatoes
½ bunch parsley, chopped
2 green onions, sliced thin
1-2 sticks butter

Cut the potatoes in 1” pieces, place in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the parsley and onions to the melted butter, reduce heat to low and gently stew or braise them until the potatoes are done. When the potatoes are fork tender, drain them, stir or toss them with the butter and herbs and season with salt and pepper.

2 tbsp sesame oil
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or ½ fresh garlic, minced
1 bunch braising greens, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp rice or cider vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp red chili flakes or 1 tsp hot pepper, minced
2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Toast sesame seeds in a skillet over low heat — tossing or stirring often — until lightly toasted and fragrant. In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger and chili, stir fry for 30 seconds, then add the greens. Toss and stir the greens until they’ve just wilted; remove from pan. Add the vinegar and tamari to pan to heat, then add the greens back to the pan with ½ of the sesame seeds, tossing to combine. Sprinkle remaining sesame seeds over top when served.

yields 1 cup

2/3 c olive oil
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
¼ c onion, minced
1 tbsp fresh herb, chopped (basil, cilantro, etc)
1 tsp garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour over vegetables and marinate briefly (or up to 4 hours) turning or tossing veggies occasionally. Excess or leftover may be poured over finished veggies for extra flavor, or saved for use later.

We are happy to announce availability of farm shares.  Instead of the already boxed (or bagged) shares that we’ve offered in the past, these are “pre-purchase shares” that can be redeemed at any of our weekly farmers markets (in Waterville and Orono).  Simply put, you buy a share and we keep track of your balance; as you shop at our market booth, we’ll deduct your purchases from your balance.  This saves you the hassle of fumbling with cash or writing checks at market.

You can start using your share as soon as you purchase it — be it for the remainder of this season or for next.  For more info, download the flier or email us.

Broccoli Raab (also called Broccoli Rabe or Rapini) is a wonder, under-appreciated vegetable and here at Fail Better Farm we grow a wicked good Raab: sweet with just a touch of bitterness.  Willing to try it but not sure how?  Below are a few recipe suggestions.  (Note that we’re liberal recipe-adapters and are happy to drop an ingredient if it’s not available at market or to substitute for another that is available.  We’ve made some notes below.)

Sausage and Raab Pizza (about 1/2 way down page) from NPR – Fennel is usually available at market in the fall, we’d leave it out if you can’t find and perhaps carmalize the onions instead.  We might substitute a simple chevre for the provolone.  (That link also features Anchovy And Broccoli Raab Pasta and Raab Fritatta.)

Rapini with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts (also about 1/2 way down page) from Mariquita Farm, a great CSA farm in California.  (Also features recipes for Rapini with Asian Flavors and Penne with Broccoli Raab, Pine Nuts, and Currants.)

Enjoy!