UPICK ASPARAGUS

We picked asparagus yesterday, May 9th, at Greig Farm in Red Hook, NY - in the Hudson Valley...visiting, I decided to "do a little digging" on local sustainable farms that grow asparagus. Tis the Season!  Since I have a UPICK farm of my own,  I support other farms in picking items I don't grow on my own.

The following series - The UPICK Series - reviews my findings.  Happy Picking!

... see my previous UPICK post on blueberries in Cooperstown area.

to learn more about Greig farm - here is a link
greig farm

the farm provides boxes and bags - you pick any one asparagus of your choosing at least 6in tall, they weigh it...  Cash only, the 2015 price was $3/ pound compared to their 3.50/lb retail.

What is a sustainable farm? - in brief, a farm that does not use pesticides or herbicides, and practices techniques that are sustainable to the ecosystem - less monoculture, more diversity, non GMO, preservation of land for wildlife and other natural life forms.

UPICK Blueberries

I froze blueberries from a UPick farm in Cooperstown NY named INGALLS BLUEBERY HILL.  they are organic - more expensive - the berries are plump and the owner is helpful.
we picked for about 3 hours.

It was the middle of August, I think a later harvest than normal.  Call 607-547-2600 for info + facebook link - call first for best picking.  

They provide buckets to pick lined with bags to take your blueberries home.  I brought a plastic tray to lay them in the car - they are fragile.  Than I washed and froze them and de-stemmed.  I froze in large 2 mil bags that I use for freezer products.  They held up very well.  I recently made blueberry muffins.  Here is the recipe.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
2 c cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking pwder
3/4 tsp salt
mix dry ingredients

cream
1 stick butter
3/4 c sugar or substitute (honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar)
3/4 c sour cream or buttermilk
2 eggs

add dry ingredients and mix
add blueberries to taste - I used alot

the frozen berries help the batter to chill immediately which makes for better baking
Bake at 350 degrees until a tester comes out clean depending on the size of your muffins they take as little as 15-20 minutes to bake.  They stay moist and soft for a good amount of time in your frig! Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ingalls-Blueberry-Hill/254264028089345