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Minnesota Grown on Facebook
Need your local food fix? Go "like" the Minnesota Grown Facebook page where you will find local foods updates, recipes and more! We are already over 1,500 "likes". Keep 'em coming!
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What Can You Find at the Market this Week?
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Supreme Strawberry Topping
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries, cleaned and stemmed
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Cut about 1/3 of the strawberries in half. In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine strawberries, sugar and vanilla. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. In a blender, puree about 1/3 of sauce, then mix back into remainder. Store in refrigerator.
Recipe courtesy of
www.allrecipes.com
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
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Keep Up with Carrie!
Want to keep up with Minnesota Grown spokesperson Carrie Tollefson? Check out CTolle Run! She has fun videos and updates regularly.
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It's Berry Season!
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Photo taken at Bauer's Berry Farm in Champlin on June 22
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The cool weather that we have been having has delayed berry season this year, but strawberry season is underway! Growers are telling us they have lots of wonderful fruit ready to pick. Don't delay--the length of Minnesota strawberry season is difficult to predict and you definitely don't want to miss out!
Heading to the cabin for the weekend? Check out the list of strawberry farms in the Minnesota Grown Directory to find a farm on the way that the family can stop and pick at. It has been a wet start to the season, but that doesn't mean that the berries get soggy, so don't despair! And remember--just because it may be raining at your house doesn't mean that it is raining out at the berry farm. Make sure to call ahead or visit the farm website to get details on picking hours and weather conditions.
It's also time to start planning a trip to pick raspberries and blueberries. Their seasons should start right at the end of the strawberry harvest.
Tips on Picking and Storing Your Strawberries
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- Make sure you are picking red, ripe strawberries with their caps and stems.
- Keep strawberries cool! Don't leave them in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Refrigerate immediately.
- Store in a shallow container so you don't crush your strawberries
- Don't remove the caps until you are ready to use them
- Use your strawberries within three days
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GardenMinnesota.com Tip
GardenMinnesota.com is the go to website for your gardening needs. Most folks have been out planting a lot this month, and probably have a lot of empty plastic pots. Did you know that they can be recycled? Learn more about plastic pot recycling at GardenMinnesota.com, or by contacting your neighborhood garden center staff for details.
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Jalapeno Strawberry Jam
Here is a great jam recipe for your freshly picked Minnesota Grown strawberries. This might even taste good with raspberries....they will be in season soon! Ingredients: - 4 cups crushed strawberries
- 1 cup minced jalapeno peppers
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 (2 ounce) package powdered fruit pectin
- 7 cups white sugar
- 8 half pint canning jars with lids and rings
Directions: - Place the crushed strawberries, minced jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and pectin into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once simmering, stir in the sugar until dissolved, return to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
- Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
- Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Allow to cool overnight Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.
Recipe courtesy of www.allrecipes.com |
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2011 Home Food Preservation Classes
Preserving Tomatoes
July 21, 5:00- 7:00 p.m.
Maple Grove Farmers' Market, Maple Grove
Preserving tomatoes safely by canning, freezing, or drying will be presented from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Food preservation questions will be answered and resources shared at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Kirsten Bansen Weigle kbansenweigle@ci.maple-grove.mn.us
Fee: Free
Instructor: Deb Botzek-Linn, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Food Safety
Basics of Home Canning: Safety First
August 16, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
New Hope City Hall, New Hope
Do you want a cupboard full of home canned fruit and vegetables? Whether you're growing them or buying them, come learn how to can them safely. You will learn what must be pressure canned, equipment needed, and safe canning methods. You will learn the latest procedures for canning fruit, vegetables and meat. This workshop is offered in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension.
Contact: Susan Rader (763) 531-5153.
Register online: http://www.nhrecexpress.com/Start/Start.asp?SCheck=892574643&SDT=39809.6698611111
Fee: $10 for New Hope residents; $16 for nonresidents
Instructor: Suzanne Driessen, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Food Safety
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Livin' La Vida Local
Livin' La Vida Local has been out and about visiting farms the past couple of weeks, and should have a video blog post soon! Watch for upcoming blogs on an elk farm and a CSA farm. In the mean time, Casey has done a short blog update on the website.
 | | Casey out� at Splendor Ridge Elk Farm in Howard Lake. � |
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Sponsors
T he sponsors of the Minnesota Grown Directory make what we do possible. Minnesota Farmers Union is our biggest sponsor. They work to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. They are a nonprofit membership-based organization. Did you know you don't have to be a farmer to be a member of Minnesota Farmers Union? Check it out! |
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2011-2012 Minnesota Grown Directory
The 30th Anniversary edition of the Minnesota Grown Directory includes 900 orchards, farmers' markets, berry farms, garden centers and other great places where you can purchase products directly from the farmer. Order your FREE
copy today by calling 1-888-VISIT-MN (1-888-847-4866). If you have an upcoming event and need a larger quantity, visit MinnesotaGrown.com to order.
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