Castlefarm Shop Newsletter
22-Aug-2007
Castlefarm Shop August Newsletter
In the garden and in the kitchen
This month we have been busy in the garden. We have been harvesting lettuce, rocket, spinach, cucumbers, courgettes, beetroot, herbs, scallions, cauliflowers and cabbage. We are preparing the ground for winter vegetables and have been making plans to buy a polytunnel.
In the kitchen I have used the last of our rhubarb to make spicy rhubarb sauce and spent a few days in the kitchen making plum jam.
Other food news!
We have two new Kildare suppliers and some new products. Kathleen Houlihan, who lives about 3 miles away, is supplying us with huge crunchy cabbages. Also Margaret McDonnell is supplying us with organic chickens. These are reared by her on the Curragh (Ballysax) and retail at €16.50. Not to name drop or anything but says that she also supplies Richard Corrigan. Not wanting to rely on Richard Corrigan’s opinion on organic Irish chickens we put one to the test. (We really have tasted just about everything on sale in the shop). So I cooked one on a Saturday in July. Peter, Louise and Elis enjoyed chicken for their dinner Saturday and Sunday, sandwiches Sunday evening and more chicken for lunch on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday the chicken the carcass went to the cats – I couldn’t face making soup. Both humans and cats were very impressed. And Silke Cropp’s Corleggy cheeses have arrived from Cavan. Also Moyleabbey Farm (3 miles) peas, mangetout and broccoli have are now in stock as are Jim Barr’s broad beans. Jane Russell’s range on our shelves has also grown to include rashers.
Gluten free products
We are also trying to increase our stock of gluten free foods. My brother, David is a coeliac, so I am especially conscious of the diet and the difficulties of finding gluten free food. Golden hill Ice Cream has confirmed that all their Ice cream is gluten free. Most of my range is gluten free. We stock Jane Russell’s gluten free sausages. I have also sourced some honey buns (individually packaged brownies and almond biscuits) and muesili from the UK. If anyone can recommend some Irish gluten free products please let me know!
On the farm
This month we harvested our second crop of silage and our first crop of wheat – actually the variety is called triticale and we will feed it to our cows and hens over the winter. We also invested in a new grain bin for storage. The clover is coming up really well in the fields.
The Castlefarm Foodies
A Taste of Italy will happen at Castlefarm Shop at 8pm on Thursday 16th of August. Newbridge cook and Castlefarm Shop supplier Louise O’Hare of What’s Cooking will be giving the demonstration. Louise, who is a Ballymaloe graduate, will demonstrate how to make homemade pasta as well as some Italian sauces. Needless to say there will be a chance to sample the food afterwards. On the night I will be handing out the Parmesan and Chianti. A €10 charge will apply to cover our basic costs and places are quickly filling up so as usual to book please email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie or phone 059-8636948 ASAP.
Products of the month – By Peter Young
This month Peter wants to mention two things that make life easy for him. These are Newtown lamb and Castlefarm Rhubarb Sauce. Everyone says that Peter Byrne’s Newtown lamb (from Castledermot) is amazing, but as a vegetarian I cannot say that I have tasted it. Anyway Peter (Young) who does enjoy his meat and is our meat buyer. He has got really into his barbequing this month – rain or shine. A few gigot chops or a rack of lamb served with my spicy rhubarb sauce are the staple ingredients he uses. From the vegetarian perspective he grills peppers and halloumi ‘squeaky cheese’ for me.
Recipe of the month
I’m sure I am not the only one with a surplus of plums so here is a recipe my mum gave me a couple of years ago
Ingredients needed
3lb plums
3lb sugar
¼ pt water
Stew plums, add sugar and dissolve by stirring. Bring to the boil and continue to cook until set. Bottle into clean, hot, sterilised jars.
Opening hours Wednesday – Saturday 10am-6pm
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For further information contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Telephone 059-8636948, jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, www.castlefarmshop.ie