Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Apples :: Fameuse

Fameuse

Late Season • Sweet-tart


Ripens
Late September

Characteristics
Flesh is tender, juicy, distinctive in flavor, with a slight perfume. AKA Snow or Snow Fameuse, for it's snow-white flesh. Uses: fresh eating, sauce and cider.

History
One of the oldest North American varieties. Its likely origin is French Canada sometime before 1700.  By the 1700’s it was widespread in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, and it may have made its way to Maine via that route.  Old trees can still be found in Maine dooryards and orchards. 

Offspring: Suspected parent of McIntosh.

Storage: 1-2 months; best texture when fresh.

NotesBiennial tendency.

Friday, September 23, 2022

Extra Elderberry Syrup?

Elderflower & Elderberry Syrup Kit

So you bought one of our handy-dandy Elderberry Syrup Kits, or went over to Mountain Rose Herbs and purchased your own supplies to make elderberry syrup BUT now you aren't going through it fast enough and you're worried about it going to waste. 

Here are a few things you can do, at any point, with your elderberry syrup, besides taking it directly!


Freeze It!

Pour elderberry syrup into ice cube trays, or in small jars, with proper headspace, and thaw out as needed. You want to make sure you let these either naturally unthaw, or warm on very gentle heat, to not destroy beneficial compounds in the honey. You could even freeze in tsp or Tbsp single portions and take directly from the freezer - never having to worry about shelf life at all! Use within 6 months.



Make Gummy Worms!

This is a fun project and SO very simple! Easy to do with kiddos as well. 

Gummies Basic Recipe

Ingredients

2 C Fruit juice

2 T high quality gelatin

Mix 2 T gelatin into 1/4 C cold/room temp fruit juice (or in this case, elderberry syrup). Let sit 5 minutes to "bloom."

Gently heat the remaining juice (syrup) until it is very hot, but not boiling.

Add a small amount of the warmed liquid into the bloomed gelatin, whisk together. Add remaining liquid and whisk until well dissolved.

Use a dropper to fill your molds! Place in the fridge for a couple hours before removing into a container. Tip: If you are having trouble getting them out of the molds (with a good quality gelatin you shouldn't), just pop into the freezer briefly and try again.

Store in the fridge (or freezer) and use within 6 months.


Make Lollipops!

I have not ventured into candy territory, but there are plenty of recipes for this online. Calling for a candy thermometer and lollipop mold. Who doesn't love a lollipop or popsicle when they have a cough or sore throat! Plus, many provide the option to add other beneficial herbs or immune supportive vitamins.


Now get to making that elderberry syrup!


Making Elderberry Syrup


Elderberry Syrup Kits

Our Elderberry Syrup Kits are available a good majority of the year. While fall and winter tend to be the main seasons where the syrup is put to use, it is great any time. Grab a kit and make it right away, or have it on hand for when acute symptoms arise.

Our kits come with a jar for storage of the syrup, herbs (dried elderberries, ginger and cinnamon), directions and what we do for dosage - most of which is shared below!

If you want to craft your own, use my link to Mountain Rose Herbs to head over and grab your own ingredients! I often add astragalus to my personal mixture. Also, check out Extra Elderberry Syrup? for some additional ideas!!



Classic Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Makes about 3-4 cups of syrup without alcohol, 4 cups with alcohol.

Active Time: 1 hour


Ingredients 

•2 cups dried organic elderberries (or 4 cups frozen/fresh)

•4 cups cold water (distilled, purified, or spring water works best)

•2-3 tsp. organic dried ginger root

•1 organic sweet cinnamon stick

•1-1 ½  cup raw, local honey (or organic maple syrup or agave for a vegan/infant-friendly recipe); double the amount of sweetener to increase shelf life

•1 cup vodka or brandy (optional to increase shelf life, very medicinal tasting, I prefer it without)



Directions

1. Combine berries and herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil.


2. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer 30 to 40 minutes.


3. Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour. During this time sterilize your jar (boiling water/200° oven).



4. Strain berries and herbs using a funnel overlaid with doubled cheesecloth or undyed cotton muslin bag (or use a fine strainer, but you won’t squeeze out as much juice) and squeeze out liquid (careful, liquid will likely still be hot!). Discard used herbs in compost.


5. Once liquid has cooled to just above room temperature, add honey and stir to incorporate. *The amount of honey should equal one half the amount of liquid after straining.


6. If using vodka or brandy, add here and stir until well combined.


7. Bottle in sterilized glass. Store in the fridge up to 4-6 weeks.


Source: adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs, https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/elderberry-syrup-recipe


Interesting info: https://draxe.com/nutrition/elderberry/



In Our Medicine Cabinet


We use elderberry syrup regularly as an immune system booster. We take a TBSP per day, as a preventative. During acute symptoms we take 1 tsp, every two hours, or a TBSP every 3-4 hours (not to exceed 6 TBSP per day).


For children over 1 a  tsp daily is recommended, or 1 tsp every 3-4 hours, up to 6 times per day for acute symptoms (www.liveberrywell.com). Too much can have a diuretic effect.


When we get sick elderberry syrup is one of the main immune system supporters we grab for. We also use fire cider, astragalus tincture (our other main item used), and more onions and garlic in cooking.


Studies Show: Elderberry syrup may be more effective than the flu vaccine. Elderberry syrup shortens the duration of flu symptoms by about 4 days. (Look into Vitamin D as well!)


This works for us! We encourage you to do your own research as well. Take your health freedom into your hands!!!


For additional ideas and information, check out Extra Elderberry Syrup?




FDA Disclaimer: These statements and products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises.


Friday, September 16, 2022

A Few Apple Recipes!

 


If you're not eating all your apples fresh here are a few easy recipes to enjoy this seasons most delicious bounty!


Apple Fritters - So delicious! Makes a great breakfast or snack. Freeze extras!

Simple Baked Apples - enjoy as is, or toss into oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, ice cream. Make a batch for the week!

Sauteed Apples - slice apples and saute in butter or coconut oil until tender. Sprinkling each side with cinnamon. Enjoy as is, or toss into oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, ice cream. 

Big Apple Crumb Cake - This looks to die for!


Possibilities are endless! Send me your favs. ;)

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Farm Store Update Sept. 14

Featured

Four varieties of apples - Zestar!, Haralson, McIntosh, Cortland

Fresh apple cider, in half gallon jugs.


Cortland with dew.

What's in Stock

Apples - 3lb bags/$8.00 - Zestar!NEW: Haralson, McIntosh, Cortland

Eggs - $5/dz

NEW Arugula - $5/ 1/4lb bag

NEW Tokyo bekana - $4/bunches - mild chinese cabbage type mustard green with lettuce-like texture

Kale - $3

Cucumbers - $1

Celery - $4 *limited

Garlic - $2.00

Applesauce - $7

Herbal Healing Salve - $15

Herbal Tinctures - $15/1oz, $25/2oz - Willow bark (pain relief), Holy Basil (adaptogen, stress), Ashwaganda (adaptogen, inflammation), Astragalus (immune modulator), Stinging Nettles (allergies)


Restocked/Coming Soon - apple butter, jam, more apples! pea shoots