Winter Wellness CSA 2026

 Winter Wellness CSA 2026

Sign up opens for returning members only to begin. 10/7
If you are interested for the future contact me directly - info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text Brooke at 507-412-7605

Time to get the Deep Winter Greenhouse (DWG) up and running! And thus, time to open sign up for our Winter Wellness CSA ! Members from the last year get first shot, as well as folks who have asked to be added to the wait list. But here are deets for everyone, in case this seems like a good future fit for you....

As always, the highlight is our winter greens! Pea shoots, microgreens and salad mix will be accompanied by canned goods and herbal wellness items. This season the apple harvest was poor, so apples will NOT accompany the shares (maybe some baking apples with the first pick up).

Winter Greens Feature – organic pea shoots, zesty microgreens, mustard greens salad mix – one per pick up, generally.

Canned Goods Feature – applesauce, apple butter, jam/jelly, pizza sauce, salsa – with 1-2 items in each share pick up.

Herbal Wellness Items Feature – 1-2 salve, lotion bar, sore throat spray and more – holistic wellness comes from more than just food.

Produce Items Feature – apples 0-1x, garlic 1-2x.

 

Winter Wellness CSA will have 7 pick-ups November—March. We like to start the week before Thanksgiving. Pick ups will look like à Nov(1), Dec(2), Jan(1), Feb(2), Mar(1), by my best estimate, pick ups per month. Greens are picked up at the farm store, or the Mankato Winter Farmers Market (ONLY if dates line up). Shares are roughly every several weeks, dependent on the growth of greens. I am better at anticipating this now, but every once and a while I may have to push back a week if growth is slow (clouds and cold and such). Flexibility is a must.

 

Investment is $285. $135 due up front for reservation, with remaining $150 due by first pick up, or by verbal payment plan.

 

Eggs – May be able to add to shares as we go.

 

Holler to reserve your share. There are only 10 available!

Send any questions our way.

What's in the Farm Store?

It is September 29th, but this list is fairly consistent - until the microgreens and pea shoots start showing up!!

Farm Store Hours & Deets

The farm store is open year round Tuesday - Friday 9:00am-7:00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm, or by appointment.
It's an old-fashioned farm store, self-service. If you don't happen to run into John or I (Brooke), I am generally available by text for questions!
Exact change cash, check or venmo are our only forms of payments.

What's in store?

Canned Goods

Applesauce - $8 per quart - no added sugar, organic apples and lemon juice
Apple Butter - $6 half pint - no added sugar, just a touch of local honey & organic spices
Jams & Jellies - coming back soon, always a rotation of rhubarb jams, elderberry jelly and more.

Zesty Poblano Salsa - $8 pint - zesty, flavorful, but you won't hurt yourself. Seasonal.

Pizza Sauce - $7 half pint - Seasonal.

Apple Products

*We are having a bad apple year, so first are limited and going first to our Apple Shares CSA.
Baking Apples - $5 / 5lb bags - seconds/blemished for processing.
Fresh Cider - $7 / half gallon - great fresh, freezes well! Pressed 9/26.
       *Cider is pressed and in stock until sold out. So, it's not always on the shelf.

Herbal Wellness Items

Digestive Bitters NEW - herbal tincture blend that stimulates digestion, helps sluggish digestion, balance blood sugar and so much more. $15/1oz & $25/2oz What are Digestive Bitters?

Herbal Sore Throat Spray - use for sore and dry throats, as well as when you get that little tickle in the back of your throat

Herbal Tinctures - Willow Bark, Stinging Nettles, Holy Basil, Astragalus, Ashwaganda, Elderberry. What is an Herbal Tincture?

Calendula Lotion Bar - solid lotion bar, lightly scented with lavender EO

Knitbone Salve - sprains, strains, broken bones, pain and soreness, tendonitis/artritis, external use only

Bruise Salve - prevent or treat bruises, good for small wounds also

Cottonwood Wound Relief Salve - all your cuts, burns, hangnails, general wounds, big and small, a natural neosporin + pain relief

Bug Bite Salve - rub as needed on bug bites for relief and healing; plantain is a drawing herb that helps pull out what shouldn't be there - also great for splinters.

Tick Away Spray - A blend of essential oils that help to repel and deter ticks; spray on pant legs, shoes, on your dog between the shoulder blades.

Herbal Bug Spray - catnip and yarrow tinctures, blended with vanilla and citronella EO

Elderberry Syrup Kits - No longer in stock.

Fresh Cider in Stock!

Cider is fresh pressed and in stock in the farm store. 100% Organic apples and nothing else.

Grab a fresh jug, or throw a jug in the freezer (take an extra inch off the top to allow for expansion).

Recipe :: Easy Apple Crisp!

A delish Crisp recipe with a vanilla sauce we love on our rhubarb crisp. 

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

For the apple filling:

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

For the crisp topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup brown sugar (packed)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin, even slices (about ¼ inch thick). Place them in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch to the apples. Toss until all slices are evenly coated with the mixture. This coating helps create a caramel-like sauce when baked.

Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Press down gently to level the surface for even baking.

In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well. Add cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped nuts if using — they add extra crunch and flavor.

Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Don’t press it down too firmly — you want a light, crumbly texture.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will fill your kitchen. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. *Or the vanilla sauce we like on our Rhubarb Crisp below!

From Gordon Ramsey

German Vanilla Sauce (Vanillesoße) Makes about 2 1/2 cups of Vanillesoße.

• 1 3/4 cup whole milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 vanilla bean, scraped OR 1 tablespoon quality pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large egg yolks

• 3 teaspoons cornstarch

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt.

In a medium saucepan bring the milk, heavy cream, and vanilla to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent it from scorching. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. Pour this egg mixture into the saucepan, constantly whisking it into the hot milk to prevent clumping. Heat the mixture over medium heat until thickened. Do not let it boil.

Strain the vanilla sauce through a fine mesh sieve. Serve immediately or let it cool and store covered in the fridge. Will keep for up to 3 days. Can be served cold or reheated to serve warm.

Good warm or cold! Not overly sweet, made to compliment already sweet desserts.

From Daring Gourmet

No Market 9/26

 Friends, due to weather we will not be attending market 9/26.

See you 10/3!

In the mean time the farm store is open! Watch for cider pressing updates!!

Important Apple Update

The update ya never really want to give, but it is what it is and there is nothing we can do but make the best of it.

It’s slim pickin’s this year, so priority always goes to our CSA Apple Share members.

Why? It’s a lower production year coming off a large bounty two years ago, and a pretty good crop last year, as well as several years of drier conditions. Highest pressure in some areas, sprinkle a little hail over here and there you go. Organic orcharding is not for the weak. 

We have good stuff going all year round, so there is no shortage of ways you can keep buying, and gifting local from us. Baking Apples (seconds) for processing, baking or budget eating remain available.

Thanks farm friends - we couldn’t do it without you! 

Recipe: Applesauce Oat Muffins

5 lbs bags of Baking Apples (seconds/blemished) are great for processing needs - applesauce, pie filling, etc. - and also a budget friendly option for baking, freezer treats, etc. I love sticking extra muffins in the freezer for grab and go snack and early farmers market mornings! Baking Apple bags are available in the farm store and at Saturday Mankato markets. 🍎

And a nice recipe for easy breakfast, school lunches or after school snack!

Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 30 min

1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup milk         

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 Tablespoons butter , melted (or coconut oil)

1/3 cup granulated sugar       

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins , craisins, or chocolate chips

Combine Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cranberries or raisins. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir just until combined (don't overmix!)

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't over-bake or the muffins will be dry. Remove them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before freezing in a ziplock freezer bag.

https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/healthy-applesauce-oat-muffins/