Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA – January 20, 2025

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I made a watermelon radish salad that started a major family discussion at dinner last night. The question is:  “If a salad this beautiful and this delicious is so easy to make, why don’t people buy local, organic vegetables like watermelon radishes?”

People just don’t know. That was our guess.

A watermelon radish doesn’t look like much on the outside – and it’s HUGE compared to the familiar spring radish. What an oddity.

But nature is giving us a gift in the winter with these vibrant, interesting color to brighten our meals and inspire us with creativity.

What else is nature giving us this winter?

Let me explain to you what your farmer knows… and you should too.

Ok.

What vibrant winter vegetable are you going to try? Do you have a kitchen project in mind?

Keep reading for more ideas and recipes.

Don’t Forget: Online shopping opens Friday at 3 PM! 🛒 Stock your kitchen with these clean, nourishing ingredients to fuel your family with nutrient-dense meals. Be sure to grab your favorite staples and try something new for vibrant health this winter. Shop Here.

Use these ideas to plan your menus and then fill your cart with bright, clean, nourishing and healing foods.

MEAL SUGGESTIONS FOR LOCAL ORGANIC FOOD THIS WEEK:

Here’s a recipe for Crispy Pork Cutlets that works with a variety of proteins. Try it with beef, turkey, or chicken. The creamy gravy is made with pickles, jalapenos, and green onions – stop into the General Store for some pickles!

If you haven’t downloaded Tessa’s Favorite Pork Rub yet, make sure you do! You’ll want to have a batch of this ready any time you thaw a pork roast or chops from your freezer.

Put your local apples to use and make this classic Pork Chops and Apples recipe. Cubed yellow or sweet potatoes will cook in about the same time as the pork. Ready in just under an hour, this is a great weeknight meal option.

Need some new recipes for your watermelon radishes? Try these:

  • Buddha Bowl with fresh veggies, beans, sauerkraut, and a vibrant tahini and turmeric dressing.
  • Make a sheet pan of Roasted Veggies – mix up your favorite combo of squash, sunchokes, carrots, watermelon radishes, turnips, or whatever you have on hand. Drizzle with some olive oil and herbs of your choice.
  • Tessa’s favorite Radish Salad is even more vibrant with Watermelon Radishes.
  • Add some zing to your sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and bowls with quick pickled or fermented radishes.
  • Sesame Soba Noodles with veggies make a great weekday lunch. Tip: Substitute udon, lo mein, or rice noodles if you don’t have soba on hand.
  • Sliced sweet potatoes and watermelon radishes make the cutest Sweet Potato Appetizer Bites. Fun for your next party or just have them for lunch! Bonus: They’re gluten-free so they make a nice allergy-friendly option.

Roast Acorn Squash, Sweet Potato, Beet, Kale, and Quinoa Salad (whew!) is bursting with color and flavor from a mix of seasonal veggies – all available in your market box. Wait!… Add Watermelon Radish for even more color. Tip: Check your recipe and see pantry recommendations below for other ingredients you might need.

New to cooking with Jerusalem artichokes? These recipes will get you started.

Pro tip: Always check your recipes to see what you have and what you need to purchase. Takes a few extra minutes in planning, but it beats finding out at the last minute that you’re missing ingredients!

DAIRY:

Are you ready to try raw milk? We have plenty! Look for raw cow milk and raw goat milk on our dairy page.

We also have a variety of raw milk cheeses. Add some to your weekly order for sandwiches or as a topper for baked potatoes, soups, and scrambled eggs.

MEAT:

If all this talk about our pasture-raised half-pig sale has you hungry for pork, check out our selection! We have pork roasts, chops, stew cubes, hams, and scrapple – a customer favorite!

PANTRY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Stop in and pick up a jar of pickles from Kevin’s Crazy Kitchen Pickles. Use for the pork cutlet recipe above and enjoy the rest with sandwiches or as a snack.

Add some sauerkraut for the Buddha bowl recipe above. Tip: Sauerkraut is such a good source of fiber and probiotics. Don’t be afraid to try it on sandwiches, mixed into a green, egg, or potato salad, or on top of mashed potatoes. 

If you’re making that gorgeous seasonal salad above, you may want to pick up some dried chickpeas, tahini, feta, pepitas, or other items from our pantry section. Check your recipe, then go shopping!

FRUIT in the Lehigh Valley:

Storage for all apple varieties:

Keep unwashed apples in a plastic bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, where they can stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 1Apples, Pink Lady – Pink Lady apples are a crisp, juicy apple variety with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and a vibrant pinkish-red skin. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, promoting heart health, immune support, and skin health. Pink Lady apples hold their shape well so they are great for snacking, adding to salads, or baking.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 2Apples, Stayman – This late-season apple variety is known for its firm texture and spicy, tart flavor with a hint of sweetness. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, supporting immune health, digestion, and skin health. Stayman apples are excellent for fresh eating and ideal for baking, sauces, and cider, as their flavor intensifies when cooked.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 3Grapefruit – Grapefruit is a citrus fruit known for its juicy, tangy-sweet flavor with a slight bitterness. It is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants like lycopene, promoting immune health, heart health, and skin health. Grapefruit can be eaten fresh, added to salads, or juiced for a refreshing drink. Store whole grapefruit at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 4

Lemons – Lemons are tangy citrus fruits packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and citric acid, which aid digestion, boost immunity, and enhance skin health. They are commonly used to add flavor to beverages, marinades, dressings, and desserts or as a natural cleaning agent. Store lemons at room temperature if using them soon or refrigerate them in a perforated bag to extend their shelf life up to 3-4 weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 5Oranges, Mandarin – These small, sweet citrus fruits have a thin, easy-to-peel skin. They are high in vitamin C, fiber, and flavonoids, supporting immune function, digestion, and heart health. Mandarins are perfect for snacking, adding to desserts, or tossing into salads. Store them at room temperature for a few days or refrigerate to extend freshness for up to two weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 6Oranges, Navel – Navel oranges are sweet, seedless, and easy to peel, making them an excellent snack or addition to salads and desserts. They are high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which promote immune health and support heart health. Store navel oranges at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate them in a mesh bag for up to three weeks to maintain freshness. Wash before peeling or slicing.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 7Pears, Bosc – Bosc pears are a brown-skinned pear variety known for their dense, crisp texture and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. They are high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, supporting digestion, immune health, and heart function. Bosc pears are excellent for eating fresh, baking, poaching, or adding to salads, as they hold their shape well when cooked. Store unripe Bosc pears at room temperature until they soften slightly, then refrigerate to maintain freshness for up to a week.

Organic Veggies We Harvested This Week:

To help you use everything in your box this week, use this Meal Planning Guide to keep track of what’s in the fridge, what needs to be used first, and what you have planned or prepped for each day.

Every member’s customized Market Box is unique so we hope you will take advantage of more varieties of vegetables as you get comfortable with all the great organic produce we are offering.

Tessa’s Tips

What to use first: pears, greens and herbs, mushrooms

Longest Storage: apples, beets, carrots, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, potatoes

Pro-tip: Look at the items in your market box right away and decide how you will use them in your meal planning for the week. Freeze any veggies you know you won’t be able to eat in the week.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 8Beets, Golden – Golden beets are a vibrant yellow-orange variety of beetroot with a mild, sweet flavor that is less earthy than red beets. They are packed with fiber, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, and antioxidants, contributing to heart health, digestion, and immune support. Their bright color makes them a visually appealing and nutritious addition to meals, and they don’t stain like their red counterparts. They can be roasted, steamed, or boiled for salads and side dishes, blended into soups, or shredded raw for slaws. Store unwashed beets in the fridge, ideally in a plastic bag or container for up to two weeks. Separate the greens (if attached) and store in a sealed container or bag. Use within a few days.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 9

Beets, Red – Red beets are root vegetables known for their earthy flavor and vibrant red-purple color. They are rich in nutrients like folate, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, and antioxidants such as betalains, which help reduce inflammation and support heart health. Both the roots and greens are edible, with the greens offering additional nutrients like vitamins A and C. Beets can be eaten raw in salads, roasted, boiled, or blended into smoothies and soups. Store beet greens separately from the root, wrapped in a damp cloth or in a plastic bag in the fridge. Use within a few days – they don’t keep long. Beetroots can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge’s crisper drawer for up to two weeks. To freeze beets for longer storage, slice or chop them, spread on a cookie sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to freezer bags where they can be stored for up to a year.

carrots in your Market Box CSA deliveryCarrots – Carrots are a versatile and popular root vegetable, known for their sweet, crunchy texture and vibrant orange color, though they can also be found in purple, yellow, and red varieties. They are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, essential for good vision and immune health. Carrots are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Enjoy them raw, cooked, roasted, or juiced. They can be used in salads, soups, stews, and side dishes. For optimal storage, store carrots unwashed in the fridge, preferably in a plastic bag or container to maintain moisture, where they can last for several weeks. If the greens are attached, cut them off to prevent the carrots from becoming limp. Stored properly, they should last around 1-2 weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 10

Carrots, Rainbow – In addition to the nutritional benefits above, rainbow carrots stand out from standard orange carrots with their vibrant colors—purple, yellow, red, and white—each offering unique nutritional benefits and distinct flavors. Purple carrots contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants linked to anti-inflammatory and heart-health benefits, with a slightly earthy, spicy taste. Yellow carrots are rich in lutein, which promotes eye health by protecting against macular degeneration and cataracts, and they have a mild, subtly sweet flavor. Red carrots contain lycopene, a potent antioxidant that supports heart health, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and helps protect skin from UV damage, with a richer, sweeter taste.

These colorful carrots are perfect for adding visual appeal to dishes and enhancing the taste profile, whether roasted to bring out their natural sweetness, or sliced raw for salads. Their distinct flavors can also add depth to juices and smoothies. The diverse hues, flavors, and nutrients of rainbow carrots make them perfect for garnishes or serving as part of a vegetable medley. Store rainbow carrots the same way you would store standard orange carrots.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 11Collard Greens – Collard greens are leafy greens with a slightly bitter, earthy flavor and hearty texture. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants, which support bone health, immune function, and digestion. Collard greens are often cooked by sautéing, steaming, or simmering in soups and stews, and they’re popular in Southern and African cuisines. Have you used your collard greens to make “lettuce” wraps yet? They hold together better so they are a great substitute.  To store, keep collard greens in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag, where they can stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, blanch and freeze them or make green cubes to store for later use.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 12Dandelion Greens – These nutrient-packed leafy greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants. Slightly bitter with a nutty undertone, they are great in salads, sautéed as a side dish, blended into smoothies or soups, or even used as a pizza topping. To store, keep them unwashed in a plastic bag or container lined with paper towels in the fridge, and use within 3–5 days for peak freshness.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 13Garlic – This flavorful bulb is known for its pungent aroma and taste, and is commonly used in cooking to add depth to dishes. It’s rich in vitamins C and B6, manganese, and sulfur compounds, particularly allicin, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. Garlic can be eaten raw or cooked and is often used in sauces, marinades, soups, and roasted vegetable dishes. Use in any recipe and add peeled cloves to pickles. All of our garlic is now cured so it can be stored in a cool, dark, dry place for several months. Avoid refrigerating whole bulbs, but once peeled, refrigerate or freeze cloves for longer storage.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 14Ginger – Ginger is a flavorful root widely used as a spice and natural remedy. It has a warm, slightly spicy taste and is rich in bioactive compounds like gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger aids digestion, relieves nausea, and supports immune health. It is versatile in cooking, and used in teas, curries, stir-fries, baked goods, and beverages. Store fresh ginger in a cool, dry place for short-term use or in the refrigerator in a paper towel or airtight bag for extended freshness. For long-term storage, freeze peeled or sliced ginger.

Freeze your fresh garlic and ginger for longer storage:

Peel the garlic cloves, and chop or mince if desired. Freeze in an airtight container or ice cube tray for easy portions. Alternatively, freeze whole peeled cloves in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Use directly from frozen in cooking.

Peel and slice or grate the ginger. Freeze in an airtight container or ice cube tray. You can also freeze the whole unpeeled root in a freezer bag. Grate or slice directly from frozen as needed.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 15Jerusalem Artichoke – Jerusalem artichokes, or sunchokes, are nutty, slightly sweet tubers loaded with iron, potassium, and inulin, a fiber that supports digestion. They can be roasted, added to soups or stews, eaten raw in salads, or mashed as a potato substitute. Store them unwashed in a cool, dark place or in a paper bag in the fridge, where they can last up to 2–3 weeks.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 16

Lettuce, Loose Leaf – Leaf lettuce, known for its loose, leafy structure and mild, slightly sweet flavor, comes in green and red varieties. It is a low-calorie vegetable packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and fiber, making it a nutritious choice for salads and wraps. Its tender leaves are best used raw in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish. Store leaf lettuce in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag or container, and use it within a week to maintain freshness and crispness.

Mushroom Varieties

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 17

Store mushrooms in a paper bag or breathable container in the refrigerator, avoiding moisture buildup, and only wash them right before use to maintain freshness.

Mushrooms are super versatile in the kitchen. Here are 10 Things You Should Do With Mushrooms.

This roundup of 20 Mushroom Recipes has you covered with meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 18

Mushroom, Portobello & Cremini – Portobello mushrooms are mature versions of cremini mushrooms, offering a meaty texture and rich, earthy flavor. Cremini, also known as “baby bellas,” are younger, smaller, and have a firmer texture with a milder taste. Both are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and provide B vitamins, selenium, potassium, and antioxidants. Portobellos are ideal for grilling, roasting, or as a meat substitute in burgers, sandwiches, or stuffed recipes, while creminis are great for sautéing, adding to soups, stir-fries, pasta dishes, or as pizza and salad toppings.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 19Mushrooms, Shiitake – Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their rich, umami flavor and slightly chewy texture, making them a staple in Asian cuisine. They are low in calories, fat-free, and a good source of B vitamins, copper, selenium, and immune-supporting polysaccharides. Shiitakes are versatile and can be sautéed, stir-fried, grilled, or added to soups, stews, and sauces for a depth of flavor. They are popular in dishes like ramen, risotto, and dumplings, and are often used in vegetarian recipes for their meaty texture.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 20

Onion, Yellow – Yellow onions are a popular, versatile vegetable with golden-brown skin and a strong, savory flavor that mellows and sweetens when cooked. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, yellow onions support immune health, digestion, and overall cellular health. They’re a staple in many cuisines, perfect for sautéing, caramelizing, roasting, and adding depth to soups, stews, and sauces. To store, keep unpeeled yellow onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from potatoes, where they can last up to a month; once peeled or cut, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 21Potatoes, Yellow – Also known as Yukon Gold or gold potatoes, yellow potatoes have smooth, thin, yellowish skin and creamy, buttery-flavored flesh. They are slightly waxy, making them versatile in cooking. Yellow potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and are low in calories and fat. Their creamy texture makes them ideal for mashing, roasting, grilling, and boiling. They are also excellent in gratins and salads because they hold shape during cooking. Store yellow potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for several weeks, avoiding refrigeration as it can alter their texture and flavor.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 22Radishes, Watermelon – Watermelon radish is a striking root vegetable with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a crisp texture. Its pale green skin hides a vibrant pink interior, resembling a watermelon. Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, it supports immune health and reduces inflammation. Watermelon radishes can be enjoyed raw in salads, sliced thinly for garnishes, pickled, or roasted for a milder flavor. Store unwashed watermelon radishes in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator, where they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Wash and trim just before using.

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 23Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are a nutritious root vegetable known for their naturally sweet flavor and vibrant orange flesh, though they also come in other colors like purple and white. They are rich in vitamins A (as beta-carotene), C, and B6, as well as dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. These nutrients support eye health, boost immunity, and promote digestive health. Sweet potatoes are versatile in cooking and can be baked, roasted, mashed, or used in soups and stews. They can also be enjoyed in both savory and sweet dishes. Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place for several weeks, avoiding refrigeration as it can affect their texture and flavor.

Don’t Forget: Online shopping opens Friday at 3 PM! 🛒 Stock your kitchen with these clean, nourishing ingredients to fuel your family with nutrient-dense meals. Be sure to grab your favorite staples and try something new for vibrant health this winter. Shop Here.

Veggie E-Books

Download these collections of tips and recipes for each veggie. You’ll use these as a reference throughout the season.

Beets E-Book
Carrots E-Book
Mushrooms E-Book
Onions E-Book
Potatoes E-Book
Radish E-Book

Farm News and Events

Farmer Reuben talks on wholesome organic food every week at the Willow Haven Farm General store so that our community in the Lehigh Valley can get healthy and stay healthy

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 24

 

Your gut health affects everything from digestion to immunity to mood. Discover how natural, gut-healing foods can transform your well-being.
📅 Date: Saturday, Jan 25 | 🕒 Time: 2 PM
📍 Location: Willow Haven Farm General Store – 8150 Hamilton Blvd, Breinigsville, PA 18031
At this FREE event, Farmer Reuben will discuss:
✅ The best foods for healing and strengthening your gut
✅ Practical tips for incorporating them into your meals
✅ How better gut health improves your quality of life
🥖 Does gluten sensitivity mean you have to say goodbye to bread? Learn why traditional sourdough may be a surprising solution for gluten-sensitive individuals.
📅 Date: Wed. Jan. 29| 🕒 Time: 4 PM

📍 Location: Willow Haven Farm General Store – 8150 Hamilton Blvd, Breinigsville, PA 18031
👨‍🌾 Don’t miss Farmer Reuben’s free talk on Can Gluten-Intolerant People Enjoy Sourdough Bread?
You’ll uncover:
✅ The science behind sourdough fermentation
✅ Why it’s easier to digest than conventional bread
✅ How sourdough might work for gluten-sensitive people

See you there!

~~~~~

🍞 Next Sourdough Bread Baking Workshop – Save the Date! 

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 25

Get ready for a fun, hands-on experience in the art of sourdough bread making!

Join us on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM for our Sourdough Bread Baking Workshop at Willow Haven Farm.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this workshop will give you the skills and confidence to bake delicious, homemade sourdough bread from scratch.

👩‍🍳 What to Expect on Feb. 8th, 10:30 am:

  • Step-by-step guidance from our expert instructor
  • Hands-on experience making your own sourdough starter
  • Tips for perfecting your bread at home
  • A chance to meet other bread enthusiasts in a fun, relaxed environment

✨ Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your baking to the next level! 

👉 Registration is now open! Cost is $50 for members, $60 for non-members.

 

We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and organic farm food on your table that supports that goal.

We’ll keep farming for you!

Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm

Tips for Your Organic Farm Food: Watermelon Radish in your Market Box CSA - January 20, 2025 26

 

P. S.  Online shopping opens Friday at 3 PM! 🛒 Stock your kitchen with these clean, nourishing ingredients to fuel your family with nutrient-dense meals. Be sure to grab your favorite staples and try something new for vibrant health this winter. Shop Here.

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