Now, if you've never encountered elderflowers, you might have some questions!

First, what are elderflowers?
They're the beginnings of elderberries- and only bloom for the next two weekends so grab them while you can! Elderflowers are one of those magical, medicinal spring delicacies-- reminiscent of a fairy flower!

How do you harvest elderflowers?
--Harvest them in the morning at peak potency and hang upside down in a cool dry place until ready for use (1-2 days.)
-- Cut large blossoms from bush, avoiding leaves and then cut smaller flower clusters away from the large, chunky stems.

What can you use them for?
Elderflowers are great for teas, cordials, or as whimsical garnish. It's a powerhouse with many beneficial uses-- it has antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbalists have used elderflower for centuries to help aid symptoms of colds, flu, sinus infections, and upper respiratory infections.

It's thought to be helpful for cooling down a fever, increasing circulation, and boosting the immune system with vitamin C and antioxidants. It also has slight diuretic and laxative properties that can be useful in the right situation.

Topically, elderflower can help with aching joints due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
In summary: Elderflower is used for swollen sinuses (sinusitis), colds, bronchitis, diabetes, and constipation. It's also used to increase urine production (as a diuretic), to increase sweating (as a diaphoretic), and to stop bleeding.

Here's an Elderflower recipe to get you started. 

Elderflower Cordial Recipe
- 1.5kg sugar
- 1.5 L water
- 25 elderflowers (no stems)
- 3 sliced lemons
1. Dissolve the sugar and water and bring to boil until all sugar has dissolved.
2. Place the elderflowers and lemons in a bowl and pour over the sugar water. Leave for 24 hours to infuse.
3. Strain the liquid to remove lemons and elderflowers.
4. Bottle in clean and sterilized bottles, label with name and date and keep in fridge for 2 weeks.

Stop by tomorrow's workshop for more recipes + tips! Don't miss out on this magical once-a-year treat.

Hello Farm Family!

​Lots of great and awesome produce in the CSA share this week and I hope that you will consider using your vibrant green carrot tops instead of tossing them into the compost. Those greens can be used in a variety of delicious and creative ways. Their flavor is often described as slightly bitter, herbaceous, and a bit peppery, similar to parsley with a hint of carrot. 

Here are several ideas for your consideration: 

As an Herb: Finely chop the leaves and use them as a fresh herb to garnish soups, stews, salads, roasted vegetables, or egg dishes. In many recipes that call for parsley, you can use carrot tops as a direct substitute, either wholly or in part. Add chopped carrot tops to sauces like chimichurri, salsa verde, or other herb-based sauces for an extra layer of flavor.

Turned into Pesto: Blend carrot tops with nuts (like walnuts, pistachios, or pine nuts), garlic, Parmesan cheese (optional), olive oil, and lemon juice to create a unique and flavorful pesto. This pesto is delicious with pasta, spread on bread, as a marinade, or as a topping for roasted vegetables or meats.   

In Salads: Add chopped young and tender carrot tops to your mixed green salads for a bit of peppery zest and visual appeal. They have a texture similar to frisée. Create a salad where carrot tops are the star, combined with other ingredients like diced carrots, herbs (like mint or basil), a simple vinaigrette, and perhaps some nuts or seeds.

In Cooking: Flavor your soup stocks by tossing a handful of carrot tops into your broth for added herbal essence during simmering. Strain out before serving. *Sauté carrot tops with garlic and olive oil, similar to cooking other leafy greens like spinach or kale. Their texture is best when cooked briefly. *Finely chop carrot tops and mix them into vegetable fritters, salmon patties, or other similar dishes for a fresh, green element.   

Other Creative Uses:
​Garnish: Use whole or sprigs of carrot tops as an attractive and edible garnish for various dishes. 

Juicing: Carrot tops can be juiced along with the carrots and other vegetables, though their flavor can be quite strong, so use them sparingly. 

Tea: Some people dry carrot tops and use them to make tea.  

Regrowing: You can even try regrowing carrot greens by placing the top part of the carrot with some stem in shallow water. While you won't get a new carrot, you can enjoy fresh greens.

Important Considerations:
~ Wash thoroughly: Always wash carrot tops very well to remove any dirt or grit or sand.

~ Choose young, healthy tops: Younger, bright green tops are generally more tender and less bitter than older ones. Avoid any wilted or yellowed leaves.

~ Taste before using liberally: Due to their potentially bitter flavor, it's a good idea to taste a small amount before adding a large quantity to your dish. By exploring these various methods, you can significantly reduce food waste and enjoy the unique flavor and nutritional benefits of fresh carrot tops!                                                             

Have a safe and healthy week, Farmer Carol