Join us on the new page for all our harvest bag tips and suggestions!!

Beets, Carrots, Fresh Herb Duo-Thyme Sage, Garlic , Onions, Okra, Tulsi

One Family Farms Chicago

Turnips Greens, Collards, Easter Egg Radishes, Cucumber, Zucchini, Jalapeno, Banana Peppers, Green Tomatoes

Chi City Foods Chicago

@_ChiCityFoods

Lemongrass, Mint, Tomatoes

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

We’re moving the location of our FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! Click here to view the latest additions

Baby Green Salad Mix

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

A fist full of tulsi power

Tulsi- is an Ayurvedic herb also called Holy Basil. We include it pretty frequently in the Weekly bag because we love it and all the magic that comes along with it.

Use Ideas: Makes a great tea! Hot or Iced! Dry it and add it to your honey for an infused honey. Throw a little in your stir-fry or salad.

Benefits: My favorite benefits - It’s an adaptogen and helps with stress reduction. It also is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

September 04, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Golden Beets, Garlic, Tulsi - Holy Basil, Lunch Box Peppers,

Shishito Peppers, Cayenne Pepper, habanero peppers,

Pink Eye Purple Hull Peas, Red Onions

One Family Farms Chicago

Cucumber, Eggplant,

Lacinato Kale, Curly Kale, Roma Tomatoes,

Green Tomatoes, Jalapeno Peppers,

Urban Pilon Chicago

@urbanpilon www.urbanpilon.com

Artisanal Hot Sauce

Urban Eden Chicago

Baby Green Salad Mix

Bee-utiful Chicago

We’re moving the location of our FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! Click here to view the latest additions

Honey

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Some nights feel a little Chili, but our days are still pretty hot! And this bag is full of some perfectly picked peppers! See what we did there? We’re excited about the pepperlicious ness that we have in this week’s bag and we’re grateful for the farm’s ability to pump out peppers while we have it because we know as the weather cools our peppers will be slowing down. If you’re curious about whether some of this week’s peppers are sweet and ready for snacking on with your hummus, or straight out the bag or whether you’ll want to have them in a more moderate approach to save some fiery mouths and tears, then check out our Scoville chart and notes that our team member, Mandy put together for us. So whether you like it spicy or sweet or charred nicely on the grill with lemon and parmesan, you’ll know what to expect.

Some other suggestions for this week:

Consider offering up some Tulsi Ice tea, Sweetened with honey, to the bbq you’re invited to Monday, or the pitcher you’ll keep reaching for in your fridge throughout the week. Sometimes we think of Labor day as the unofficial end of summer, so maybe this tulsi tea or Tulsi Lemonade even, can be a part of your holding on to summer drink?

Salad Potential or some beautiful Burger/Sandwich toppings! We love to just use our kale and Urban Eden salad mix for just that, Salads. Mix it with your cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, and jazz up your classic toss salad. But what we also love to use his salad mix for is the topping for our beautiful sandwich or freshly grilled burger (meat, veggie, shroom, your pick)! If you have things coming off your grill tomorrow, consider adding on a slice of tomato, some of our freshly grown red onions, and some of the Urban Eden Salad mix. Ooo, maybe even thinly slice some of the jalapenos and melt them under your cheese for a kick.

If you’ve already fired up the grill anyway maybe add to the mix some of your sliced eggplant. You can slice these in thick rounds or just cut them in half the long way and grill the whole thing. We like to toss in a little high heat cooking oil (think canola, avocado, coconut,grapeseed, etc) as well as season with salt and pepper first. Then we lay them flesh side down to get some nice grill marks before flipping them to their skin side. Shishito Peppers also appreciate a nice grill char and make a great side dish.

Also here is a fun suggestion. Want the best of both worlds between a pickle and a tomato. Thickly slice your green tomatoes and pickle them for a fabulous burger topping or a remix to your BLTs.

Whatever you decide to do with this week’s bags we’d love to hear about it or see pictures. Tag us or email us and let us know!

Pink Eye Peas

These peas are in the shells! Simply break them open! Some ideas for use:

Throw them in with your rice

Saute them up with your thyme and a little olive oil and add them in with other veggies or corn- They taste great with the okra, and some tomato!

make a mix with some of your favorite flavors and your favorite grain (rice, quinoa, corn) , then stuff them inside of the bell pepper.

fry them and add them to your salads as a crunchy topping

try pickling them or some other technique you would never think to do to a bean!

A fist full of tulsi power

Tulsi- is an Ayurvedic herb also called Holy Basil. We include it pretty frequently in the Weekly bag because we love it and all the magic that comes along with it.

Use Ideas: Makes a great tea! Hot or Iced! Dry it and add it to your honey for an infused honey. Throw a little in your stir-fry or salad.

Benefits: My favorite benefits - It’s an adaptogen and helps with stress reduction. It also is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

August 28, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Carrots w/ tops, Garlic, Tulsi - Holy Basil, Lunch Box Peppers, Shishito Peppers, Cayenne Pepper, Green Onion, Pink Eye Purple Hull Peas, Cipollini Onions,

One Family Farms Chicago

Cucumber, Cantaloupe,

Yellow Squash, Curly Kale

Shyler Harmony Farm Chicago

Currently no social media

Lacinato Kale

Urban Eden Chicago

Baby Green Salad Mix

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Chi City Foods Chicago

@_ChiCityFoods

Mixed Tomatoes

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

August 21, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Shishito Peppers, Fresh Walla Walla Onions, Baby Beets, Garlic, Tulsi - Holy Basil, African Blue Basil, Okra

One Family Farms Chicago

Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Roma Tomato,

Yellow Squash, Curly Kale

Multiple Harvest Chicago

Kittley Kittley

Urban Eden Chicago

Baby Green Salad Mix

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Hinata Farms Chicago

@hinatafarms https://www.hinatafarms.com/

Long Beans

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Sunday August 21, 2022 BIPOC Harvest Bag

Kittley Kittley - pea size eggplant

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

August 14, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Shishito Peppers, Fresh Walla Walla Onions, Thyme & Sage Clamshell

One Family Farms Chicago

Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Green Tomato,

Banana Pepper, Swiss Chard, Lacinato Kale

Multiple Harvest Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Rainbow Micro Mix

Urban Pilon Chicago

@urbanpilon www.urbanpilon.com

Artisanal Adobo Seasoning

Hinata Farms Chicago

@hinatafarms https://www.hinatafarms.com/

Long Beans

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Sunday August 14, 2022 BIPOC Harvest Bag

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

August 7, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Shishito Peppers, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Garlic, Fresh Walla Walla Onions, Horseradish Leaves,

One Family Farms Chicago

Cantaloupe, Curly Kale, Mustard Green, Green Tomato,

Poblano Pepper, Zucchini , Aquaponic Lettuce

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Rainbow Micro Mix

Urban Pilon Chicago

@urbanpilon www.urbanpilon.com

Artisanal Hot Sauce

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Sunday August 7, 2022 BIPOC Harvest Bag- It’s gettin’, It’s gettin'’ kinda Heavy

It’s getting, it’s gettin’, it’s gettin kinda HEAVY!

You got the power! We hope you get what we’re referencing here. We’re in the height of the season and your bags are getting kinda heavy. We hope you feel some power in the kitchen with this week’s bag. We got you covered with some sweetness and a kick! From cantaloupe and honey to some mustard greens and horseradish. What are you coming up with this week. We hope you’re treating your self sweet with charcuterie boards full of melon, and honey, nuts, cheese. We are hoping you get the kick you need from some spicy greens, or feelings of comfort and home with your green tomato chutney, pickles or fried green tomatoes. Or what are you dreaming up? Please don’t forget to let us know what you’re cooking!

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

July 31, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Shishito Peppers, Chive Vinegar, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Garlic, Cayenne Pepper

One Family Farms Chicago

Lacinato Kale, Mustard Green, Swiss Chard, Green Tomato,

Cucumber, Jalapeno, Japanese Eggplant , Aquaponic Lettuce

Multiple Harvest Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Rainbow Micro Mix

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

the Royal Treatment

There’s something about the purple eggplants and chive blossom vinegar that has us thinking of each of you as royalty. So we want you to enjoy this week’s bag like the majestic beings you are. So brew up some tulsi ice tea, sweeten it with your honey, and lay out in the sunshine while snacking on your kale chips and have your favorite being feed you you blistered shishitos….No? Well, if that doesn’t sound like your ideal of royalty then do you! It all works and we can’t wait to hear about what you cook up this week with your bag! Enjoy.

Kale Chips, Anyone?

This recipe is super simple and a fun snack. Take your kale, you can use one bunch for this and always save another bunch for whatever you love to do with kale. Sautee? Smoothies? Juice, Throw in a lovely weather appropriate soup? Anyway, as we were saying…
Take a bunch of your kale and wash it well in a bowl of water, submerge it several times and also run it under some water. Dry them well. You can do this in your salad spinner, patting them with paper towels or whatever your favorite method is.
Now rip them into pieces. Take the bigger stems out and throw them in with your cooked greens, juice, smoothies, or compost. You want the leaves pretty big, because they will shrink. If tearing up Kale is not how you want to take out some of your energy today you can also cut them with scissors or a knife.
Did they feel wet while you were ripping them? If so dry them again. you want really dry kale if you want a nice crispy kale chip. When try drizzle a little olive oil or your favorite oil of choice and season the kale. I like a simple salt and pepper, but if i’m feeling a little adventurous I like to mix it up as well. Throw on some nutrition yeast, or bbq seasoning, ranch, whatever i’m in the mood for. Usually it’s just salt and pepper.
Then lay the kale flat on a sheet tray. I like to put them on some parchment paper or a silmat. Give the kale space. If they are crowded they won’t crisp up. Then pop them into an oven. 350 degrees will work. If you have an oven that does convection, you can put in on 325. And keep an eye on them. They can usually crisp up in about 15 mins. Some folks like to do a lower temperature and keep it in the oven for 30 minutes.

Check back Tonight and refresh for final recipes and tips and this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

July 24, 2022

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Shishito Peppers, Chive Vinegar, Dill, Basil, Garlic

One Family Farms Chicago

Collards, Kale, Green Tomato, Bell Pepper, Cucumber

Multiple Harvest Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Rainbow Micro Mix

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! HarvestBag @ freshertogether.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Sunday July 24, 2022 BIPOC Harvest Bag- It’s not easy being green! Or is it? A pretty green and super fun haul.

Chive Blossom Vinegar

One of our favorite things in the spring is when our chives produce their blossoms. We would love to give you them to put on your salads, on your potatoes, and in your eggs, but unfortunately they come early in the spring and they quickly leave us. But this season we were able to grab lots of blossoms and make some yummy Chive Blossom Vinegar. The Chive Blossom vinegar has lots of oniony flavory, but still with the vinegar harsh. So what do you do with it? We have a few suggestions:

Mix it with some of your honey, a dab of mustard and your favorite oil to make a yummy salad dressing
Add with your dill, seasonings, and combine with your cucumbers for some quick pickles or a beautiful summer cucumber salad
Chef Fresh is from Eastern NC where we love a good vinegary BBQ Sauce. Perhaps mix your vinegar with some chili flakes and garlic and throw on your meats. We suggest pulled chicken, pork or turkey, but also shredded jackfruit, seitan, or mushrooms!
And if you like vinegar on your greens, We’re thinking collard greens, and kale, I love to shake a few splashes of vinegar there as well
Use it on your hoagies and sandwiches with your microgreens.

Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers are a mildly spicy Asian pepper that we love. They are great to snack on on their own as a fun side dish or an appetizer. We suggest searing them on a hot pan, grill, or griddle. Most the time when you’re looking for a shishito recipe you’ll come across blistered shishito. Most are pretty mild, but you’ll never know when you come across one that is spicy. You never know.

Back in 2018 we helped out at a fundraiser for Urban Growers Collective and we made a stuffed Shishito Peeper. We stuffed it with a fun goat cheese and herb mix, we then blistered them and finished them with a fresh watermelon Pico De gallo we made with sweet onions, cubed watermelon, lime, and cilantro.

Don’t forget to share with us what you do with your shishitos!

A fist full of tulsi power

**Tulsi- is an Ayurvedic herb also called Holy Basil. We include it pretty frequently in the Weekly bag because we love it and all the magic that comes along with it.**
**Use Ideas:** Makes a great tea! Hot or Iced! Dry it and add it to your honey for an infused honey. Throw a little in your stir-fry or salad.
**Benefits:** My favorite benefits - It’s an adaptogen and helps with stress reduction. It also is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Beatrice Kamau of Multiple Harvest Farm

We’ve introduced Beatrice before, but we’re super excited that we have gotten to receive some of her honey this season for the bags! Some call the Multiple Harvest Honey elusive because it often is sold out as soon as it is harvested. Enjoy and check out this Farmer Highlight of Beatrice from NE Illinois Farm Link

Screen Shot 2021-09-12 at 3.45.35 PM.png — About our Urban Eden Farmer, Terrence Glenn

We love supporting his microgreen operation each week. We hope you enjoy eating his Spice Micro Greens in our Salads, on top of our Sandwiches multiple times this season. Here’s who grew the Microgreens in this week’s bag!
Terrence Glenn is farmer and proprietor of Urban Eden Organic Produce. After twenty-five years as a creative in the advertising industry, Terrence discovered his passion for agriculture. He is a graduate of Farmers for Chicago, an agricultural grant program co-sponsored by Growing Power (now Urban Growers Collective) former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Park District.
Terrence has leveraged his skills and experience in both traditional and indoor hydroponic growing to become a purveyor of quality greens and herbs to local grocers, restaurants and consumers.
The primary goal is to provide quality, nutritious food to the local community year-round. Many communities in the Chicagoland area struggle for access to healthy food. Urban Eden embraces the social and agricultural role that farming can play in the urban setting. Part of its social responsibility is to ensure that food security is a reality for all.

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

December 05, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Mixed Roots (Turnips, Carrots, Beets), Herb Trio ( Oregano, Sage, Thyme)

(sample a variety we’re thinking about growing next season and see what you think)

One Family Farms Chicago

Collards, Radishes, Spinach, Lacinato Kale

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Radish and Black Bean Tacos

Spicy Micro Greens, Cafe Salad Mix

(Lolla Rossa, Green Oakleaf, and Baby Romaine),

Chicago Bread Club (Run by Fresher Together) Chicago

@chicagobreadclub www.chicagobreadclub.org

Local Organic Black Beans

Your Bountiful Harvest Chicago

@yourbountifulharvestfamilyfarm www.yourbountifulharvest.com

Cut Mixed Greens

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Remixing how you RADISH!

Spring and Fall are often filled with radishes. They are one of the easy first things that can pop up in the cool spring, and one of the last things you can still be growing in the cool fall. But we wanted to make sure that you knew radishes just don’t have to be cold and a raw salad topping. One of my favorite ways to eat radishes is roasted in the oven with garlic they get so sweet and so delicious.

So take some moments and explore some cooked recipes with radishes. Do a quick search for “cooked radish recipes” or just start by roasting them in a very hot (400 degree plus) oven tossed in a little oil and garlic. Lay them flat on a tray and cook them until they start to brown and get tender.

Or pickle them, or make kimchi, or just throw them on your salad. one of my favorite raw uses for them is as a topping on a yummy soup such as pozole!

Here’s some quick recipes from the internet!

Garlic Radishes

This Week’s Community Grain Share and about CBC

Black Turtle Beans. This bean is believed to have originated in southern Mexico and Central America over 7,000 years ago. Black Turtle beans are one of the tastiest beans we know. They have a deep, rich flavor that works superbly in soups, chili, and as refried beans.
The mission of the **Chicago Bread Club (CBC)** is to share the art and knowledge of bread, and to promote and expand the racial equity of the regional grain economy. CBC is a Black Led organization currently doing work to make local grain and staple crops more accessible for all. Especially focusing on the South Side of Chicago CBC seeks to share local grain as well as have local grain growing as an option for production for BIPOC Farmers and Producers.

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

November 28, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Purple Sweet Potato

(sample a variety we’re thinking about growing next season and see what you think)

One Family Farms Chicago

Collards, Radishes, Spinach, Lettuce Mix, Lacinato Kale

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Urban Eden Chicago

Spicy or Mild Micro Greens, Cafe Salad Mix

(Lolla Rossa, Green Oakleaf, and Baby Romaine),

Mama African Marketplace Chicago

@mamaafricas_marketplace www.mamaafricasmarket.com

White Sage Smudge Stick

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

November 21, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Chives, Cut Celery,

Herb Trio- Sage, Rosemary, Thyme

One Family Farms Chicago

Collards, Radishes, Spinach, Mustards, Lacinato Kale

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Chicago Bread Club (Run by Fresher Together) Chicago

@chicagobreadclub www.chicagobreadclub.org

Local Organic Rainbow Cornmeal (store in freezer until use)

Urban Pilon Chicago

@urbanpilon www.urbanpilon.com

Artisanal Hot Sauce

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

November 14, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Swiss Chard, Lemongrass, Cut Celery,

Herb Trio- Sage, Rosemary, Thyme

Salted Cantaloupe Jam

Urban Eden Chicago

Spicy Micro Greens

One Family Farms Chicago

Collards, Radishes, Spinach

Bee-utiful Chicago

Honey

Chicago Bread Club (Run by Fresher Together) Chicago

@chicagobreadclub www.chicagobreadclub.org

Local Organic Rolled Oats

Your Bountiful Harvest Chicago

@yourbountifulharvestfamilyfarm www.yourbountifulharvest.com

Cut Mixed Greens

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

November 7, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Turnips, Baby Beets/Beet Greens, Lemongrass, Green Tomatoes, Thyme

Urban Eden Chicago

Spicy Micro Greens

One Family Farms Chicago

Lacinato Kale, Mustard Greens

Bee-utiful Chicago

@catatumbo_coop www.facebook.com/CatatumboCooperative/

Honey

Catatumbo Cooperative Farm Chicago

Aji Amarillo Peppers

Chicago Bread Club (Run by Fresher Together) Chicago

@chicagobreadclub www.chicagobreadclub.org

Local Organic Red Beans

Your Bountiful Harvest Chicago

@yourbountifulharvestfamilyfarm www.yourbountifulharvest.com

Cut Mixed Greens

Sistas in the Village (SITV) Chicago

@sistasinthevillage www.facebook.com/sistasinthevillage/

Cha Cha (Chow Chow)

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

This Week’s Community Grain Share and about CBC

Known as Cajun Red Beans in Louisiana, this versatile bean is perfect for red beans and rice or your favorite chili. It holds its shape well when cooked for soups or salads. Called *Colorados* in Mexico and Cuba, red beans are great in any recipe that calls for kidney or pinto beans.
The mission of the **Chicago Bread Club (CBC)** is to share the art and knowledge of bread, and to promote and expand the racial equity of the regional grain economy. CBC is a Black Led organization currently doing work to make local grain and staple crops more accessible, especially on the South Side as well a an option for production for BIPOC Farmers and Producers.

It’s Turnip Thyme

Sometimes when I’m out harvesting I think about what I want to eat together. Last week I thought about green tomatoes and Cantaloupe. Sometimes it makes sense in my head, sometimes it’s just a really good Pun…. but just to confirm, I double check google and see if anyone else is doing it. Today as I wrapped up harvesting the turnips I thought what herb should I give everyone to go with them. And I thought oooo Thyme, then i can make this cool heading, but also it has the alliteration that I also love. I thought of all the fun ways I’d eat turnips and thyme together, but I also checked google for recipes and there were some like this.

https://www.butteryum.org/blog/2014/6/1/balsamic-roasted-turnips-with-thyme

Check it out and let us know what you think, or make your own recipes and send us some cute pictures and info about how it turned out!

**But Chef Fresh, We have an abundance of Micro Green magic, now what?**

RECIPE: MICROGREENS WITH AVOCADO TOASTS (taken from Urban Eden Farm’s FB page!)

4 slices brown seeded bread
1 punnet micro garlic chives
1 punnet micro red radish
1 punnet micro wasabi mustard
1 avocado
½ lemon juice
1 ½ oz goat cheese, crumbled
Freshly ground black pepper, optional

Toast the bread slices. In a bowl mash the avocado with lemon juice and cracked black pepper. Spread the mashed avocado over the toast and top with the crumbled white stilton. Add the microgreens and liberally top the toasts.

**Check out Urban Eden Farms new internet presence!**
**And here are 5 ways we eat the weekly micro greens!**

As a Salad or mixed in a salad
On top of our Sandwiches or stuffed in our pitas
That avocado toast recipe above
Garnish Garnish Garnish- Drinks, meals, soups, everything. They are delicious
Cook ‘em. I know it might seem like they are too fancy and this way is wrong, but they taste great lightly cooked in your favorite stir fry!

Delivery Driver, and Farm Volunteer, Melvin, adds some of the Cut Greens to every bag. We’re so excited for everyone to enjoy our Lemongrass Harvested fresh for you this morning!!

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

October 31, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

@catatumbo_coop www.facebook.com/CatatumboCooperative/

Chives, Carrot Miso Ginger Sauce

Limited Bags may contain: Maple Dijon Balsamic Dressing and/or Okra

Urban Eden Chicago

Website coming soon - Farm is located at @insidetheplant

Spicy Micro Greens

One Family Farms Chicago

@1_familyfarms www.1familyfarms.com

Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Radish,

Arugula, Cantaloupe

Bee-utiful Chicago

@bee_utifulhoney www.bee-utifulbees.com

Honey

Catatumbo Cooperative Farm Chicago

Green Tomatoes, Marigolds

Multiple Harvest Chicago

@multipe_harvest

Serrano Peppers

Your Bountiful Harvest Chicago

@yourbountifulharvestfamilyfarm www.yourbountifulharvest.com

Bell Peppers

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

October 24, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

Lunchbox Peppers, Lemongrass, Carrots, Garlic

Limited Bags may contain: Maple Dijon Balsamic Dressing and/or Okra

Urban Eden Chicago

Website coming soon - Farm is located at @insidetheplant

Spicy Micro Greens

One Family Farms Chicago

@1_familyfarms www.1familyfarms.com

Collard Greens, Lacinato Kale, Curly Kale, Mustard Greens

Bee-utiful Chicago

@bee_utifulhoney www.bee-utifulbees.com

Honey

Brave Space Bags Only Contain the Below

Urban Pilon Chicago

@urbanpilon www.urbanpilon.com

Artisanal Adobo

Chicago Bread Club (Run by Fresher Together) Chicago

@chicagobreadclub www.chicagobreadclub.org

Organic Split Black Beans or Local Organic Cornmeal

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

**It’s Not Easy Being Green!?**

As the weather shifts into cold and wet times, all of our summer favorites are starting to slow down, and it’s time for more greens and our cool weather loving favorites.

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

October 17, 2021

From Our Farmers

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Fresher Together Chicago

Bell Peppers, Beets, Turnips, Tulsi, Rosemary, Basil, Swiss Chard, Garlic

Urban Eden Chicago

Website coming soon - Farm is located at @insidetheplant

Micro Greens

Hinata Farms Chicago

@hinatafarms https://www.hinatafarms.com/

Eggplant, Green Onions

Bee-utiful Chicago

@bee_utifulhoney www.bee-utifulbees.com

Honey

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

PXL_20211017_211443793.PORTRAIT.jpg — Welcome to this week’s Harvest Bag! We hope you enjoy!

Welcome to all our new folks who are getting the bag for the first time! Check out the notes we left for you below and scroll through to find ideas from previous weeks! And don’t hesitate to text us or email us for ideas, support or questions!

But Fresh, Now we have too much tulsi! Now what?

You mean you don’t want to make tons of tulsi infusions now? Well, just save it for later. This winter when our tulsi plants are long gone, you can still be enjoying it. Whether you just want to smell the scent of tulsi magic in the middle of winter, or. you want to have it in a hot drink, you can dry it now and save it all winter long. Wash your tulsi in a bowl of cool water. Shake off the excess water and lay it out flat on some paper towels or a nice clean towel. You can blot off some of the excess moisture and leave the tulsi to dry. To help it dry quicker you can place it in front of the gentle breeze of a fan. or if you have a dehydrator do that! when it’s dry you can break up the tulsi and put it into a jar and close the lid tight. Throw it into your spice drawer/cabinet or tea rack. Keep it in a cool dark place and enjoy it whenever the mood hits.

What to do with a single beet?

Make a great appetizer or side dish of Chef Fresh's Beet green patties with the tops, chop up the stems and greens. Or Saute up the greens and eat like you would spinach.

Roast the beet and slice it to top a salad, or eat with your plate of food like you would your cranberry sauce
or
Blend up your roasted beet with some lemon juice, herbs, and olive oil to make a great beet vinaigrette. (Throw your garlic in to roast too while. you’re at it. yum)
or
juice it raw with a few of the greens from your swiss chard for a great drink! Add other items to make it sweet, or fun. Ginger, agave, apples, carrots?

Chef Fresh Beet Green Patties

My suggestion is find your favorite crab cake or salmon croquette recipe and instead of the seafood chop up the beet greens and stems and mix those in in the place of crab or salmon. Or feel free to try the recipe below. I hold recipes very loosely. Please add your own flare to this one! This week it would be great to add some of the African Pepper sauce if you want! or fresh garlic instead of powder, or green onions too. I often put a spoon full of mayo or vegan mayo in mine to help hold it together. Do you! and Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
6+ fresh beet leaves (or however many you have to use)
1 fresh eggs

¾ cup of panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp flour
garlic powder

Lemon Juice

Dill and other herbs of your choice

Old Bay Seasoning TT
salt

Chop finely beet leaves, add eggs, panko, flour. Mix. Add garlic powder, dill, old bay and salt. Form into small burger like patties. Heat the pan Coat bottom of your frying pan. Place patties in a hot pan and sear on each side. Finish in the oven if needed.

Don’t want to cook them on top of the stove? You can also bake them in the oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat baking pan, or a cast iron skillet preferred, with a little oil. Lay down the the patties. Bake for ~7 min on 1 side, then turn over and bake for an additional 3- 5 mins or until done.

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

October 10, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago

@catatumbo_coop www.facebook.com/CatatumboCooperative/

Lunch Box Bell Peppers, Carrots, Tulsi, Thyme, Swiss Chard, Garlic

Catatumbo Cooperative Farm Chicago

Aji Amarillo, Ancho Chili, Green Tomatoes

One Family Farms Chicago

@1_familyfarms www.1familyfarms.com

Spinach, Arugula, Curly Kale, Red River Radish

Hinata Farms Chicago

@hinatafarms https://www.hinatafarms.com/

Long Beans, Bittermelon

B.S.R.R - Boots and Saddle Riding Ranch -Pembroke Township

Facebook only- @Bootsandsaddleridingranch

Blueberry Jam

Bee-utiful Chicago

@bee_utifulhoney www.bee-utifulbees.com

Honey

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

This Week: And How I Came to Love that Bumpy Bitter Bittermelon

Welcome to another week Harvest Bag Family. I wanted to share a story about 2005 Fresh. I was living in Evanston and the previous season was the first time I had done work on a farm as an adult down on a small farm in Southern Illinois, several several hours away. After that season when I came back I was determined to find space I could grow in, so my best friend and I joined a community garden in Evanston. We grew several things including planting some bittermelon. We probably could have gotten by with just one plant, but we had decided to plant several, and… let me tell you their bounty … was abundant to say the least. With such an ample bittermelon supply. We couldn’t let any go to waste so we started experimenting with how to consume this bitter veggie. You name it, we probably tried it, and one of the ones i remember eating most was bittermelon and eggs. Our farmer recommends trying it as a pickle. And looking at the ingredients in this week’s bag, it’s likely I will do a stir fry.

However you decide to enjoy it, just do me a favor and try it. It’s an acquired taste for sure, but as i learned back in 2005 bitter often does things in our bodies that serve us. I could probably call that the year of bitter, not only because my abundant of bittermelon consumption, but also I was experimenting with other bitters for my gut wellbeing.

Let us know what you think and don’t forget to share your experiments and kitchen magic.

From the Farmer: What Rachel of Hinata farms shared with us a few weeks back when bittermelon appeared for the first time!

- Bittermelon / Goya: Not only is this superfood very healthy for you, but it has become one of my favorite vegetables. It may take a few tries to get accustomed to the strong bitter flavor, but once you do, you'll be craving it. It is great as a pickle or as a stir-fry. The strong flavor adds a wonderful contrast to oily or meaty dishes. Here's a recipe for miso goya pork stir fry!. I've been loving eating pickled bittermelon! Most recently, I ate them topped on hot dogs! The acidity and bitterness pairs so well with the cured meat! Here is a recipe for pickles (Filipino or Vietnamese style brine)

It’s about that Thyme!

We included two types of time in your clamshells this week. They might look the same to your eye, and that’s fine, but if you can take a smell you’ll pick up on that one definitely holds a strong lemon scent.
Enjoy Thyme on your potatoes, veggies, chicken, fish, the list is extensive. I like throwing it in some broth, or using it to make some fun drinks. Whether you’re making zero proof drinks or mixing with your favorite bourbon thyme is fun to experiment with. Try making a thyme honey. It definitely adds something different to your lemonade or ice tea, but it also can be used to soothe some seasonal sniffles, sore throat, or digestion upset.
What I might try this week. Taking some of my blueberry jam mixing it with some thyme, thinning everything out a little with some lemon juice and water, and using it as a sauce for some buttermilk pancakes! or **insert your vegan favorite here** Enjoy!

A beautiful Peruvian Chili pepper that is a base to dishes when combined with red onions and garlic. My favorite way I have it is as a sauce that is delicious on EVERYTHING. I load up on it whenever I’m at a Peruvian Chicken joint. Last season I made my own out of Catatumbo’s harvest. I toasted a bay leaf, some garlic cloves, and the aji amarillo (seeds removed, wear gloves, don’t touch your eyes) in a hot pan with some oil. Then I threw everything in a blender, added some sour cream, lime juice, queso fresca, and salt. It was delicious

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

September 26, 2021

From Our Farmers

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Fresher Together Chicago

Bell Peppers, Carrots, Okra, Pinkeye Purple Hull Peas, Garlic

Lemongrass

Multiple Harvest Chicago

@multipe_harvest

Pumpkin

Hinata Farms Chicago

@hinatafarms https://www.hinatafarms.com/

Green Onions, Manganji Peppers

B.S.R.R - Boots and Saddle Riding Ranch -Pembroke Township

Facebook only- @Bootsandsaddleridingranch

Collards, Green Tomatoes, Eggplant, Poblano Peppers, Cucumbers

West Side Bee Boyz Chicago

@westsidebeeboyz https://www.westsidebeeboyz.com/

Westside Wildflower Honey

Sistas in the Village (SITV) Chicago

@sistasinthevillage www.facebook.com/sistasinthevillage/

Chow Chow

Never hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure what to do with things in your bag! FresherTogether @ gmail.com or text 312-88-Fresh (3-7374)

We Carrot ‘bout you! Here’s Rooting for a yummy week.

Thanks for your continued support of Fresher Together and the BIPOC Harvest Bag.
If a cute pumpkin doesn’t remind you that it’s officially fall, we hope the continued abundance from our farmers will.
I had a great time this morning harvesting for your bags, and I hope you enjoy.
Take the **tops off of your carrots** right away. Cut them off so they don’t pull energy from your roots, making them soft. The carrot tops can be made into pesto or added to your veggie stock recipe or chop them and throw them into your salad mix.

Check back and refresh for this week’s FT Harvest Bag Guide Updates! We will Have this weeks recipe ideas and features fully uploaded by early evening!

September 19, 2021

From Our Farmers

Stay in touch on our Instagrams and websites

Fresher Together Chicago