Green Bean and Fennel Salad

Another great salad that you can make with Ber-Gust Farms produce. The green beans can be blanched a day or two in advanced, but don't add the dressing until you are ready to serve the salad as the fennel will discolor.

Dressing:
 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
 2 tablespoon olive oil


Salad:
1 pound green beans, trimmed
2 large fennel bulbs, trimmed, quartered lengthwise, thinly sliced
1 cups chopped fresh Italian parsley
Onion, thinly sliced
Bell pepper, cut into thing strips (I think the red, yellow, or orange add a nice touch of color)


Shave Parmesan and toasted walnuts  for topping.  When I toast the walnuts, I added just a touch of maple syrup to give some sweetness.

 Whisk first 3 ingredients in medium bowl to blend for the dressing. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook green beans in large pot of boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Transfer to large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain beans. Pat dry.

Place beans in large bowl. Add fennel, onion, pepper, and parsley. Drizzle dressing over; toss. Top with cheese and walnuts.

Greek Style Zucchini Salad

This salad is a great way to use some of the zucchini, summer squash, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes that are in season this time of year. It can be made a head of time for your next picnic or family bbq.









Dressing:
3 Tbs. lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
1/3 cup olive oil

Salad:
2 medium zucchini, sliced thin  (about 4 cups)
1 medium yellow summer squash, sliced thin  (about 2 cups)
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
1 bell pepper, sliced into thin strips  (about 1 cup)


Garnish:
2 large tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 green onions, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano

Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil and garlic in large serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Add zucchini, summer squash, bell pepper, and onion. Toss to coat. Cover and marinate overnight, or up to 2 days.



Top with tomato and sprinkle the feta, green onions, mint, oregano and parsley just before serving.

Tomato Season is Here!

Hope every one had a safe 4th of July weekend!
We now have locally grown tomatoes. Stop by the St. Rita's location today (Wednesday) or visit us at either of the Saturday morning markets - west side at the Lima Mall or the East side at TSC across from the fairgrounds to get some to enjoy.

CSA Boxes Start this Week!

Tomorrow, Saturday June 18th, will be the first day for the CSA boxes.  Boxes may include garlic scapes, strawberries, green onions, peas, lettuce and maybe a surprise or two.

This year there is again two Saturday morning markets on the west side at the Lima mall and on the east side at TSC across from the fair grounds.  Saturday market hours are 9am until noon.

Also this year there will be a Wednesday market all day on the St. Rita's campus for those that live or work near down town or have problems making the Saturday morning market.

Kicking Off the 2011 Season.

The Lima Area farmers markets will be starting soon.

Westside Farmer's Market at the Lima Mall will open Sat June 4 at 9 am. All kinds of goodies will be there. The Eastside Farmer's Market at TSC store onHarding highway will open Sat June 18 at 9 am. There will also be a market on Wednesdays at the St. Ritas campus. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the markets soon.

Due to the weather, our CSA boxes will not start until the week of June 13. The 15 will be the first pickup for St. Ritas and Saturday, June 18 will be the first pickups for the markets at the Lima Mall and TSC, eastside.

Ber Gust was recently featured in the local monthly publication "American Pie" Here's scans of the article if you missed it!

It's Getting Closer!!

There's leaves on the trees, there's yard work to be done....and another sign of spring and summer in Ohio is approaching - The first day of the Lima Area Farmer's Market.

The market will have a new location this year on the East side of Lima. The market runs June-October.

East side Farmer's Market at the Tractor Supply Store.
St Rt 309 across from the Allen Co Fairgrounds
Saturday morning 8:30 to Noon

See many of your friends that used to be downtown at this safe and
convenient new market.


Also, if you are a CSA or Corporate share subscriber, the home page of our website has been updated to accept payment via paypal.

The 2010 season is approaching! Are you ready for all-natural fruits and vegetables, including green beans, cabbage, egg plant, sweet corn, garlic, peppers, squash, onions, cucumbers and melons. In 2009 Ber-Gust offered over 40 different fruits and veggies. Special treats included such as cut flowers and jams and jellies. Our shares will give you enough to feed a family of 4 and still have some to process for winter time enjoyment. Contact us for more information if you are interested in a CSA share for 2010.