From the Farm: Cold-Hardy Winter Greens
Written by Amy Cimino on January 26th, 2012.
Filed under: Farm Fresh
As we look out our windows and notice the blanket of snow forming over our yards, local organic produce may be the last thing we expect to see in Wegmans. If you are someone who strives to eat seasonally, winter greens, like spinach, mustard, and kale, should be your vegetable of choice! Ideally, they haven’t traveled far from field to fork, like the “cold-hardy” greens currently at their peak from Wegmans Organic Farm here in the Finger Lakes.
To begin with, we only use varieties chosen because they fight through the frost and lack of sunlight. That’s why, despite the frozen ground, too, we’ve been growing a variety of organic winter greens in three of our five high tunnels on the farm. Though protected from the snow and cold, these greens still need to thrive at a minimum temperature of 35 degrees. But to keep actual frost at bay we can use floating row covers to tuck them in. To reward us for all the TLC, these hard-working greens give us several harvests or cuttings off of one planting! And we love our seasonal veggies for their nutrition as much as their taste.
Why are greens so good for you?
Although many of us may not always incorporate them into meals, nobody can deny that greens offer a powerhouse of nutritional value. They’re low in calories and packed with vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, potassium, beta-carotene, and other plant compounds. These nutrients may help promote bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of certain cancers. If you’re looking to eat healthier in 2012, get greens on the menu with a few ideas that we love on the farm.
Create a flavorful, colorful mix.
For salads or simmering, there are lots of colorful combinations possible with reds, greens and purples to toss in one dish. At the farm, we like to blend slightly bitter greens, such as spinach, with spicy varieties, such as mustard, mizuna, red Russian kale, arugula and tat soi, with mild ones, like red pac choi. Because of the different varieties we include in our mix, each bite has a unique flavor!
What else to do with greens?
If the flavors are too strong for you in a salad, try our Craveable Cooking Greens technique. In general, remember that they do cook down significantly so you may want to purchase a little more than you expect to serve. Here is a great tasting kale recipe you can try!
Kale, Carrots, & Sesame Seeds with Stir-Fry Sauce
I hope this has inspired you to add a little more green on your plate with fresh organic greens from our farm (or other local source) throughout the winter months! If you’re in the area, you can find these greens at our Pittsford and Canandaigua Produce departments!
Are you a winter home grower? We’d love to hear your stories and see pictures of your progress!
Amy Cimino
9 years @ Wegmans
Wegmans Organic Farm Store Ambassador
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