Castlefarm Shop Newsletter

21-Sep-2009

Castlefarm Newslettter, Sept 09

Castlefarm Shop September newsletter 09
Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie to receive this newsletter by email
Castlefarm autumn events diary
• Saturday 12th Sept 11am sharp. Farmer for a morning.  Children are invited to come and help feed our new calves and new pigs and collect their own eggs.  Price €7.50 to include eggs.  Places must be booked in advance through the farm shop.
• Saturday 19th Sept.  As part of our National Organic Week celebrations we invite you for a farm walk as midday.  On this farm walk you will be invited to collect your own organic eggs and harvest your own vegetables.  At 1.30 Margaret McDonnell, Kildare organic chicken producer will gave a short explanation as to what exactly organic chicken is and how it is produced.  At 2pm there will be a cookery demonstrate on healthy and easy ways to cook organic vegetables.  No charge.
• Friday 30 and Sat 31st October.  Halloween kids club from 10am-3pm culminating in a party each day.  Pumpkin carving, face painting, trick or treats, games crafts and more, fiendish baking.  Cost €30 per child, includes small lunch and Halloween lantern.  To book or enquire contact Michelle on 086-3736402 or email tours@castlefarmshop.ie

Castlefarm Allotment cookery booklet on sale!
As part of our fundraising efforts Liz Byrne and her friend Alanna Clinton who compiled the first Castlefarm Allotment cookery booklet.  On sale at Castlefarm Shop this booklet brings you through seasonal recipes using fruit and vegetables from the allotments.  The booklet has contains lots of fantastic illustrations by the children who help their parents on the allotments and also includes stories of the animals that live at Castlefarm.  A diary of the last eight months of growing gives you an insight into our allotment holders growing experience.  At €5 per copy this will make a great present or keepsake and every penny goes to very good causes.

€5,000 raised for Brigid’s Hospice and Crumlin during Castlefarm Harvest Fair
Our thanks to all who helped in making our harvest fair a success.  We have raised in the region of 5,000 which will be donated to St Brigid’s Hospice on the Curragh and the Surgical Day ward of Crumlin Childrens Hospital.

Castlefarm ducks start laying!
Three of our 31 organic ducks have started to lay...so in the next few weeks there will be a feast of duck eggs for sale in the farm shop.

Castlefarm organic pork
If you are interested in buying some ‘real’ pork we now have some of our own in the farm shop freezer. 

Organic Angus beef update
The last of the current organic Angus heifers will be sold through a box scheme which is available for collection on the weekend of 11 September.  Each beef box contains a mix of steaks, roasts, mince and stewing beef.  We hang our organic Angus beef for 21 days to ensure maximum flavour.  The boxes will cost €12/kg with approximately 12kg of meat in each box.  Our next beef boxes are available in late October. If you would like one of next week’s beef boxes please let me know immediately.  We can also include you on our next beef box list.  Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie

Whats in season in the Castlefarm garden and allotments
Tomatoes, peas and even Castlefarm grapes have come into season.  We still have lettuce, rocket, fennel, cucumbers, onions, courgettes, Swedes (or are they turnips), and rhubarb.  Our parsnips and carrots are still a little too small to harvest....but soon!

On the farm
The first of our autumn calves were born a little earlier than expected in mid august.  For the next two months the rest of our 26 expectant cows will calve down.  This creates an opportunity for people to come and meet the new arrivals on Saturday 12th of Sept (see diary above).

Castlefarm honey has arrived!
We would also like to thank local beekeepers Jane and Loretta for their very informative Bee walk during the harvest fair weekend. Our honey is now available in the shop.

Recipe
This came from our allotment holder Tamara and is included in the Castlefarm allotment charity cookery booklet.
Vegetable frittata (for 4)
• big bunch of chard (alternatively courgettes, tomatoes, or whatever your vegetable garden offer at the moment)
• 6 eggs
• 6-8 potatoes
• 1 onion
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• Some sage or marjoram
Boil the potatoes without letting them break. Chop onions and garlic and fry in a big pan. Chop chard and put into frying pan. Slices potatoes and add them to pan as well. Stir through a few times and then add the beeten eggs (it is a good idea to beat the herbs into them before adding to the pan). Let it cook on low heat for 10 – 15 minutes. The dish is ready when the frittata turns a golden colour.

Opening hours Friday 10am – 7.30 pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm
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Contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Telephone 059-8636948, jenny@castlefarmshop.ie