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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 1,600 "likes". Keep 'em coming!
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Farmers' Market Week
National Farmers' Market week is held from August 7th-August 13th this year. To celebrate, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Grown are having a "Name that Produce" contest at the downtown St. Paul Farmers' Market on August 6th. Minnesota Grown spokesperson Carrie Tollefson and other media personalities will be there to participate. We will also be visiting farmers' markets across the state to help celebrate! |
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What Can You Find at the Market this Week?
- New Potatoes
- Beets
- Raspberries
- Green Beans
- Cabbage
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Summer Squash
- Zucchini
- Baby Bok Choy
- Mustard Greens
- Chinese Brocolli
- Leafy Lettuce
- Kohlrabi
- Garlic Scapes
- Chives
- Radishes
- Green Table Onions
- Herbs
Find your local farmers' market today at MinnesotaGrown.com!
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Blueberry Muffins
Did you know that the Minnesota state muffin is the blueberry muffin? Here is a delicious recipe to utilize your Minnesota blueberries.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine , at room temp
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
Topping
Mix 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
- Heat oven to 375°.
- Grease 18 regular-size muffin cups (or 12 large size muffins).
- In bowl, mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.
- Beat in vanilla, baking powder and salt.
- With spoon, fold in half of flour then half of milk into batter; repeat.
- Fold in blueberries.
- Spoon into muffin cups and sprinkle topping onto each muffin.
- Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.
Recipe courtesy of
www.food.com
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Raspberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
- 9 cups water
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 12 lemons)
- 2 cups superfine sugar
Directions
Puree the raspberries in a blender and strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk together until the sugar dissolves. Serve over ice.
Recipe courtesy of
www.foodnetwork.com
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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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Berry Crazy!
Minnesota berries have been confused this year with all of the crazy weather we have been having, but they are finally here and they are looking great! Blueberries are ripe all over the state. Once you have your blueberry farm of choice picked out, make sure you call ahead for picking hours and conditions.
Raspberries are ripe for the picking all over our fine state too and the crop looks fantastic! Before you head out for a day of picking, make sure you call the farm in advance. Find you local berry farm by searching our Minnesota Grown Directory.
Still craving strawberries? Northern Minnesota strawberry farms may still be picking. Make sure you call ahead to get an update on the crop and picking conditions. |
Tips on Picking and Storing Raspberries
- Raspberries are probably the most delicate of the berries, so you need to pick into shallow containers.
- Ripe raspberries will separate easily from the plant.
- Handle gently and refrigerate immediately.
- Do not wash until ready to use or process.
- Use within 1-2 days.
Tips on Picking and Storing Blueberries
- To pick, hold the cluster in your hand and gently roll your thumb over the berries.
- Ripe berries will separate from the plant.
- Sort out twigs and leaves prior to refrigerating.
- Blueberries may be placed in deep containers during picking and storing.
- Do not wash until ready to use or process.
- Will keep in refrigerator up to two weeks.
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Jam and Jelly Making Tips
Because of their flavor and coloring, Minnesota Grown berries make ideal jams, jellies and preserves. Here are a few jam and jelly making tips: - Do not reduce sugar or use sugar substitutes. The exact amount of sugar, fruit and pectin is necessary for a good set. Do not double recipes; mixture may not set.
- Use fully-ripened fruit and fruit juice at room temperature to help sugar dissolve. Crush berries one cup at a time; a potato masher works well. If using a food processor, pulse (on/off) to chop fruit - do not puree!
- You can use unsweetened frozen fruit. Thaw the fruit to room temperature and crush to equal the same amount of crushed fresh fruit.
- For freezer jam, use clean plastic containers with tight-fitting lids that have been rinsed with boiling water.
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6th Annual MN Garlic Festival
Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of garlic, great local foods and good times! Family friendly, fun filled and fragrant, this festival features fantastic foods, celebrity chefs, marvelous music, area artisans, goofy games...and lots of GARLIC.
Minnesota Grown is a sponsor of the 6th Annual MN Garlic Festival, which means we will be at the event handing out Minnesota Grown Directories. Make sure you stop by and say hello!
Where: McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson
When: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 10 a.m.--6 p.m.
Price: Adults: $5, Kids under 12: $3, Stroller/carried babies: Free
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Blueberry Raspberry Pie
Ingredients
- 1 Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons water, divided
- 17 tablespoons sugar, divided
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Directions
- Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; trim pastry even with edge of plate. Beat the egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush over crust. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon peel, vanilla and cinnamon. Gently stir in the berries. Pour into the crust.
- Roll out the remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over the filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in top. Brush with remaining water; sprinkle with remaining sugar.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.
Recipe courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
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Livin' La Vida Local
This week, Livin' La Vida Local will post a blog about Splendor Ridge Elk Farm. Watch for a Facebook status update on the upcoming blog entry.
 | Elk roaming around at Splendor Ridge Elk Farm.
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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 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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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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