Sunday, 6/1 - Open at 10:00 :) Should be well stocked all day Getting emails??

Hi gang,

We’re OPEN tomorrow – and Monday, and Wednesday, and Thursday………. Finally!!! The berries are coming on strong! It’s time for eatin’, jammin’ and sharin’ with your friends (you too can be the strawberry fairy). Thank you so much to all of you who have sent your friends our way, shared or forwarded our email, and chatted us up with your friends. I’ve met a bunch of the gang from the Mother’s club, Curves, Weight Watchers, and a group of ladies who all came together in separate cars one day (just to name a few). It’s such a kick to meet all of you and especially see the faces of the strawberry newbies. I truly appreciate your support.

Computers…… what can I say….. I’ve had a terrible time with my email program. I have a contacts list that apparently isn’t working properly for some addresses. I have been sending emails almost daily, sometimes 2x per day. If you’re one of the people who chatted with me at the stand about the lack of emails and are NOW getting them….. please reply back and let me know. This is my last ditch attempt to troubleshoot this darned thing before I trash the program and move on to another email mailing list program. Fingers crossed XXXXXX

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Berry Bonanza Weekend

Hi gang!!!

Ma Nature has just about fried my very last nerve this year. I see oodles of beautiful, ripe fruit in the field at this very moment and I’m so afraid she’ll yank it back from all of us with heat, rain, birds, bugs, etc. Sooooooo…. this weekend --- Fri 5/30, Sat 5/31, and Sun 6/1 I have a plan. I’m calling it my Ma Nature gives back “Berry Buck Bonanza” weekend.

I’ve enclosed a “Berry Buck” coupon good toward the purchase of a full or ½ flat of our ripe, juicy berries.

It’s very simple. Print the coupon and use it on as many ½ and full flats as you like. There’s plenty of berries for all finally! Email or pass it on to friends, family, coworkers, teachers, the mailman, your dentist, etc. One person telling another can literally snowball and we’ll have every last ripe berry out of the field before Ma Nature knows what hit her. I’ll pick, you eat/freeze/jam etc. LOLOLOLOL
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Berry Buck Bonanza coupon

Good for $1 off any ½ or full flat of Carstensen Farms ripe, juicy, organic strawberries

This weekend only Friday May 30th thru Sunday June 1st.

Carstensen Farms
490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Sweetest Organic Strawberries in Town!!

Sorry… cannot be used on ¼ flats or baskets
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________________________________________________________________


Strawberry Spread Recipe

Ingredients
* 8 ounces cream cheese softened
* 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries

Directions
1. Blend all ingredients together then refrigerate until ready to serve.


Strawberry Carrot Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Ingredients
* 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
* 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
* 1 cup carrots finely shredded
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup plain yogurt
* 1/3 cup water
* 1/2 cup pecans chopped
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup strawberries finely chopped
* Glaze:
* 2 ounces cream cheese softened
* 1 tablespoon mashed strawberries
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 3/4 cup powdered sugar


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease and flour tube pan.
3. Beat all ingredients except strawberries in a large bowl on low speed for 45 seconds.
4. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes scraping occasionally.
5. Fold in strawberries then pour into prepared pan and bake 50 minutes.
6. Cool 5 minute the remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
7. Pour glaze over top.
8. Beat cream cheese, mashed strawberries and vanilla in small bowl until blended. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until blended then spoon over cake.

11 Minute Strawberry Jam

3 c Strawberries
3 c Sugar

Put the strawberries in a pan. Add 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 4 minutes. Add the second cup of sugar and boil again for 4 minutes. Then add the third cup of sugar and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from stove, cool, stir occasionally. Pour in jars and seal.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

4:00 - 11 flats available

Our daily afternoon update. Remember we open at 10:00 not 9:00. The early time was an experiment that I just couldn’t keep up with.

Cheers!
Sally Strawberry

Berry Buck Bonanza weekend! - this Fri, Sat, and Sun 5/30 - 6/1 $1 off 1/2 and full flats +++ recipes

Hi gang!!!

Ma Nature has just about fried my very last nerve this year. I see oodles of beautiful, ripe fruit in the field at this very moment and I’m so afraid she’ll yank it back from all of us with heat, rain, birds, bugs, etc. Sooooooo…. this weekend --- Fri 5/30, Sat 5/31, and Sun 6/1 I have a plan. I’m calling it my Ma Nature gives back “Berry Buck Bonanza” weekend.

I’ve enclosed a “Berry Buck” coupon good toward the purchase of a full or ½ flat of our ripe, juicy berries.

It’s very simple. Print the coupon and use it on as many ½ and full flats as you like. There’s plenty of berries for all finally! Email or pass it on to friends, family, coworkers, teachers, the mailman, your dentist, etc. One person telling another can literally snowball and we’ll have every last ripe berry out of the field before Ma Nature knows what hit her. I’ll pick, you eat/freeze/jam etc. LOLOLOLOL
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Berry Buck Bonanza coupon

Good for $1 off any ½ or full flat of Carstensen Farms ripe, juicy, organic strawberries

This weekend only Friday May 30th thru Sunday June 1st.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Open every day at 10AM (except Tues) AND.... look for my second message today with exciting "Berry Buck Bonanza" weekend

Hi gang!!

Just a little note to confirm WE HAVE BERRIES!!! Yeah, finally, thank goodness…… We will be open at 10 every morning (except Tuesday) and stay open till 6PM whenever possible. I guesstimate how much to harvest each day by 2pm so sometimes I sell out. That’s why I send afternoon updates.

I have a really great idea that you folks will REALLY like. I’ll send you an email later today after I get the stand set up. You’ll want to make sure you read it!!

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry

3:30 - 10 fresh flats coming to the stand in at 4:00

Hi all,

I’m making my last run to the field of the day. I’ll have 10 more flats at or before 4:00. It looks like we should make it till 6:00 tonite.

Cheers!
Sally Strawberry

Open at 9:00 with plenty of berries

Hi gang!!
THIS weather is perfect for ripening berries really SLOW. For those of you who have been with me for years….. that means we’ll hopefully see what I call the salmon colored, bronzing berries that are super sugary sweet. When you see these it’s time to stock ‘em away in your freezer!! And eat ‘em!!! We don’t have them all the time, only when the weather conditions are just right.
To freeze berries this is what I do:
Wash if desired, remove stem (they pull off with your fingers), slice, place in GLAD or ZIPLOCK container (with blue lid). Pop in the freezer. They will freeze solid into a block so choose the container size that works for your family when you unthaw them. You can use any type of container, I just prefer the stackable, easy to use type.
Since so many of you check your email throughout the day or on your phones….. I have been trying to send an update around 4:00 each day in addition to my early morning update. So many of you have said it helps to take the guesswork out of “are they open or not”. For those of you who like the updates, just not so many, kindly delete the afternoon update and carry on. I always put a hint of what’s in the update on the subject line. If you like the recipes or news about veggies, read those and dump the rest. Hope this helps.
With the berries finally coming in heavy, and perfect weather conditions…. Please help us spread the “We’re Open!!” word by telling your friends, and family, and forwarding my “Berry Update”.
Strawberry Tarts
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups small whole strawberries
11/3 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 TB cornstarch
1/2 tsp finely shredded orange peel (optional)
Several drops red food colouring (optional)
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 tsp shortening
whipped cream (optional)
Beat butter or marg. and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until well mixed. Stir in flour. Divide dough into 16 pieces. Press into 16 ungreased 2 1/2 inch muffin cups, pressing dough onto the bottom and halfway up sides. Bake in 400 oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Remove tart shells from muffin cups. For glaze, combine 3/4 cup of the strawberries and the water in a blender container or food processor bowl. cover and blend or process till smooth. If necessary add enough additional water to make 3/4 cup. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Stir in pureed strawberry mixture. cook and stir over med. heat till mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. If desired, stir in orange peel and red food colouring. Cool for 10 minutes.
Melt chocolate and shortening in a small saucepan. Drizzle chocolate mixture into the bottoms of the cooled tart shells. Cut any large berries in half. Arrange whole or cut strawberries, stem ends down in tart shells. Spoon glaze over berries. Chill for 1 to 2 hours. If desired serve with whipped cream. Makes 16.
Title: Strawberry Cheesecake
Categories: Cakes, Desserts
Yield: 12 servings
---------------------------CRUST--------------------------------
1 1/2 c Graham cracker crumbs
2 tb Sugar
3 tb Margarine or butter; melted

--------------------------FILLING-------------------------------
19 oz Cheese, cream; softened
1 c Sugar
2 ts Lemon peel; grated
1/4 ts Vanilla
3 Eggs

---------------------------GLAZE--------------------------------
1 c Strawberries; mashed
1 c Sugar
3 tb Cornstarch
1/3 c Water

Pre-heat oven to 350øF.

CRUST: Stir together graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Mix in butter
thoroughly and press into a 9" springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 300øF.

FILLING: Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add
sugar, beating until fluffy. Add lemon peel and vanilla. Beat in eggs
one at a time. Pour into shell. Bake 1 hour or until center is firm.
Cool to room temperature and then spread with the strawberry glaze.
Chill 3 hours.

GLAZE: Blend sugar and cornstarch together in a small saucepan. Stir
in water and strawberries. Cook, stirring constantly, until the
mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Cool
thoroughly before spreading over cheesecake.


Cheers!
Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

4:00 Sun 5/25 - 12 flats available, Open tomorrow 10AM, Cheesecake - light recipe

Hi all,

Just checked in with the stand and there are 12 flats available at this very moment. We were fully stocked all day and expect the same tomorrow. Yipeee the berries are finally coming in!!

Light and Luscious Strawberry Cheesecake w/ Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Yield: one 9-inch cheesecake (14 servings)
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons melted margarine or butter
1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup sugar, divided 3/4 and 1/4
2/3 cup flour
4 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup nonfat light sour cream substitute
3 pint baskets California strawberries, stemmed
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup strawberry or red currant jelly, melted

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In medium bowl mix crumbs and margarine. Press onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of lightly greased 9-inch cheesecake pan; set aside.

To make filling, in mixer bowl beat ricotta cheese until smooth. Add 3/4 cup of the sugar, the flour, egg yolks, lemon peel and vanilla; mix well. Stir in sour cream substitute to blend thoroughly.
In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; fold into cheese mixture. Pour into prepared crust; smooth top.

Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven; cool in oven 1 hour with door ajar. Remove from oven; chill thoroughly.

Meanwhile, to make sauce, in blender or food processor puree 2 baskets of the strawberries with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the lemon juice; strain sauce to remove seeds. Cover and chill.

To complete cake, halve remaining strawberries; arrange on top of cake. Brush strawberries with jelly. Cut cake into wedges; serve with sauce.

Nutritional Information
290 calories; 12 g fat; 70 mg cholesterol; 170 mg sodium; 40 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 7 g protein.

Strawberry Spring Salad
Yield: 4 Servings

3 tb White wine vinegar
3 tb Water
1 tb Honey
2 tb Extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 ts Salt
1/8 ts Pepper
3 c Strawberries, quartered
10 oz Italian Blend salad greens
4 ts Pine nuts, roasted

Combine first 6 ingredients and stir well with a whisk. Combine strawberries and green. Add the vinegar mix; toss to coat. Sprinkle with nuts.


Cheers!
Sally Strawberry

2:30, Saturday - all sold out

Hi gang,

Just checked with the stand….. the last berries we just sold. Hope this helps those of you who were trying to decide if you should make a trip to see us.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

11:45 Saturday - 15 flats available, crew shut down in field, more tomorrow

Hi gang,

Yipeee I snagged a bunch of berries before the rain set in. There are some at the stand now - go get ‘em J First come, first served. We will not make it all day. I had to shut the crew down in the field. The plants are wet, berries are dripping and the boxes are soggy. I’m hoping for wind later this afternoon!!! If the rain stops from now thru the rest of the day and stays away during the evening we’ll be in good shape. We’ll be back out there again tomorrow at 5:30AM and roll with it.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

5:00 - Open with 6 flats left, info on weekend schedule

Hi gang,

I just checked and we have 6 flats left on the stand. Get ‘em if you need ‘em.

We will open tomorrow, Saturday at 10AM (not 9). The extra hour will give us time to have enough picked to possibly keep the stand well supplied at the opening bell. If it rains slightly, we will still harvest, unless it’s a downpour and everything is sopping wet. Then we’ll do what we can.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

mailing list housekeeping

Hi all,

I received a message from my ISP provider that an AOL user reported my Berry Update as spam. If that was you, please contact me directly so I can remove you. If anyone wishes to be removed I’m happy to do so, just send me a message. By the same token, should you have friends or family that would benefit from my updates, ask them to drop me a note and I’ll be happy to add them.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

for Thursday, 5/22 - Open at 9:00, can sell out and reopen, Bounty Farm produce arrives, and more

Hi gang,

I sincerely apologize for Ma Nature’s whims this year and my resulting lack of berries today. I closed and reopened twice! I was about ready to throw in the towel this morning when some of my crew didn’t show up AND I had less than 1/3 of the usual quantity of berries picked for this time of year. I knew the frost would affect us, and now I know when. I’m praying to the ripening gods to allow us enough sun to bring in what you would like for the holiday weekend. I predict it will be challenging and we will sell out often. I promise I’ll keep you updated and do my very best to bring in what I can.

I will open tomorrow, Thursday at 9AM and bring in what I can. Will I have the crew?? Will I have enough to stay open most all of the day?? I simply don’t know.

IMPORTANT
I will change my hours this holiday weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) to open at 10AM. I have to do this to allow enough time to pick and attempt to keep the stand stocked.

Regrettably, I’m unable to take advance orders and hold requests for this holiday weekend. I sincerely wish I could J

Farmers Corner by Amy Rice-Jones
The Bounty Farm is busy becoming a "farm" and its first crops will be available for purchase tomorrow, Thursday, May 22nd at 9AM. The arugula is fully mature and ready to enter your salads this week! This vegetable is a pungent, peppery salad green that has been widely used in Italy since ancient Roman times. It entered American cuisine in the 1970s and is now widely available in the spring time at most farmer's markets. Arugula is a nice addition to a salad mixed with lettuce or as a salad on its own. You can make pesto out of it by simply substituting arugula for basil. Below is a simple salad recipe for you to try out.


Arugula, Orange and Fennel Salad

Salad:
1 fennel bulb, sliced thinnly
1 red onion, shaved paper thin
1 cup segmented navel oranges
3 bunches fresh arugula
1/2 cup walnuts

Vinaigrette:
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Trim off the top off the fennel bulb. Slice the fennel and onion paper thin.

3. To prepare the vinaigrette, combine ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk.

4. Toss the arugula, fennel and onion with vinaigrette, divide among serving plates and top with orange slices, and walnuts.

There will also be a handful of Easter Egg radishes and Hakurei baby turnips for those of you that arrive early at the Berry Stand. If you haven't ever had a Hakurei turnip, they are mild, tender and sweet--delicious to eat on their own or in a salad.

The next crops that will be available at the Berry Stand will be spinach, lettuce, rainbow chard, purplette onions and broccoli to follow.

Your purchase of produce from the Bounty Farm will go towards the development of this educational farm and its mission to provide healthy produce to families that need it the most.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Open Wednesday

Hi gang,

It was so sad to be closed on Monday after only 11 days. Darned Ma Nature is very cranky this year!! This will go down as the most challenging weather year yet.

We’ll harvest again Wed. morning and work thru the field again. This kind of cool weather is better than heat. The berries will ripen slowly, hold longer for you, and hold up better in the field. We may even see some of the super sweet bronzing berries coming in. Who knows!! I’m encouraged by all the blossoms and green fruit I see out there. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for 4th of July fruit J

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

2:00 - sold out, heat takes berries, closed on Monday 5/19

Hi gang,

Our last trip to the field brought sad news…..the entire field was picked clean! We brought in what we could today and have sold out. We will not be open on Monday 5/19. We’ll open again on Wednesday 5/21 with what we can get. I don’t expect to be open all day. It will take the field a few days to recover and ripen more berries but we will certainly stick with it if you will.

On the bright side….. there are lots of flowers and green berries in all stages of ripeness out there. The flowers will give us fruit in about 30 days. Let’s cross our fingers for plenty of fruit during the end of June and for the 4th of July!! Since we’re 2 weeks late----- why not??

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

Open at 9:00, heat reduced harvest

Hi gang!

We knew it would happen….. Ma Nature’s oven got a ton of our berries AND we’re coming in to the time when the frosted berries should have been ripening. We’ll take it day by day for the next week. We still get the stand open at 9:00 but sell out around 4:30. Berries will come in today at 9:00, 11:00, and between 1:00 and 2:00 depending on when we finish. We should be open until at least 4:30 again today.

Tips on handling the berries
When the weather has been hot, please be aware that some of the berries will be very, very ripe and need to be eaten immediately. They may not look as pretty as they usually do. Don’t try to hold them much more than 2 days and keep them in the fridge. This is a high sugar, soft berry that does not keep. When the temps get unusually high the plants are stressed and berries ripen faster than desired. We find the very best flavor comes from 70ish degree temps, cool mornings and evenings, and slow ripening. Don’t I wish I could order that kinda weather every season!!! Last year we had it, this year is quite the challenge already.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

10:30 - Yes I have berries! More at 11:30/12

Hi gang,

Ahhhh, today is much nicer at 77 degrees (as I write). Picking is much slower but the berries are coming in and the stand is well stocked. I’ll continue to put berries in the cooler and keep them the best I can for you.

There are plenty of berries at the stand now and more will arrive at 11:30/12:00. That delivery will be all we’ll pick for the day. If I make it back to my computer in time, I’ll send you an update at 3:30 to take the guesswork out of “do we have berries” for later in the day.

Keep cool!

Champagne Strawberry Cooler
1 pk Frozen strawberries with syrup
1 c Orange juice
375 ml Champagne or sparkling white wine

Let frozen berries (10 to 12 oz) stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. In blender at low speed, blend berries and syrup and orange juice until smooth. Pour this mixture into a large pitcher or bowl. Gradually pour in Champagne or wine and stir gently. Serve immediately. About 8 four ounce servings.

Chocolate French Toast with Strawberry Syrup
1/2 c Light corn syrup
1/4 c Sugar
1 ts Cinnamon
1/2 ts Nutmeg
1 1/2 c Fresh or unsweetened frozen strawberries
3 Eggs
1/2 c Vanilla sugar
2 tb Cocoa powder
1/2 c Milk
6 sl French bread (sliced on bias 1/2-inch thick)
1 tb Vegetable oil
Unsweetened whipped cream, for garnish
Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Make strawberry syrup: In a small saucepan combine syrup, sugar, spices and strawberries. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Lower heat to simmering and cook until thick and syrupy consistency is reached. Keep warm.

Make chocolate french toast: In a large shallow bowl whisk eggs. In a small bowl combine vanilla sugar and cocoa until well-blended and whisk into eggs. Whisk in milk. In a sauté pan, preferably nonstick, heat half of oil over medium heat. Dip bread slices in egg mixture until thoroughly moistened. Carefully transfer half of bread slices to pan and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once. Transfer to warmed plate. Repeat with remaining bread slices. To serve, drizzle with strawberry syrup, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Yield: 2 serving

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

12:40 Thursday - 20 flats available in the chilly 50 degree cooler

Hi gang,

Unusual weather calls for multiple updates in one day. I hope this helps…..

The berries on the other hand are chillin’ in the 50 degree cooler. We have about 20 flats that came in at 10:45 and went directly into the cooler. If you need berries we have ‘em and …… I would love for you to take them home so we can get Annie outta there and cool.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

Thurs - HOT temps, picking until 10AM

Hi gang,
This is outrageous!!! I got up before 6 and the temp was 83!! Here’s the scoop for today. We started at 5:30AM. We’ll make it until about 10 or 11am and shut down. I’ll bring all the fruit in and put as much as I can into the cooler. When we sell out, we sell out. I would LOVE to have everyone grab their berries and get them home/cool early this morning. I’ll bring berries in at 9AM and again when Annie arrives, around 10:45. We’ll stay till we sell out.

All bets are off for the remainder of the week. Berries can’t take 90 – 100 degree temps. We’ll harvest again tomorrow morning at 5:30AM and roll with the temps as we get ‘em. Whatta year!!

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms


Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

12 flats available at 4:00, please no hot temps this week!

Hi all,

Just checked in with the stand….. 12 flats waiting to be adopted.

The weather report says hot temperatures on Wed and Thurs. We certainly don’t need that! Our berries are grown on beds of black plastic to keep out the weeds. They sunburn easily and turn to fruit leather. Keep your ears open for the weather and grab your berries on Wed if we’re gonna roast. I’ll harvest them early in the morning and keep them cool all day in our chilly refer van.

My sister-in-law whipped up this recipe yesterday. It’s really good with a cornmeal crunch and lightly sweet flavor.

Cornmeal Strawberry Cake

INGREDIENTS

* 1 1/3 cups cornmeal
* 2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 cup unsalted butter
* 1 1/4 cups white sugar
* 4 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
* 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch round cake pan. Sift together the cornmeal, flour, salt and baking powder, set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the yogurt, stirring after each addition. Finally, fold in the strawberries. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick or knife inserted, comes out clean. Cool cake in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes then invert onto a serving plate. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

4:30 Saturday--25 fresh flats just arrived

Hi gang,

For all you late comers on Saturday afternoon…… I just dropped 25 fresh, juicy, flats of red berries at the stand. We’ll be open until 6PM today. Tomorrow we start at 9AM.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry

Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

5/9 @ 3:30 - Stocked with berries right now and.... Open all weekend starting at 9AM, recipes

Hi gang!

It was sooooo wonderful so see all of your happy berry faces yesterday!!! You were as excited about starting the season as I was. We had a fantastic day and everything flowed like I never left. Thank you so much for making our opening day a hit!!

It is 3:30 and there are plenty of berries at the stand for those of you returning home from work or running errands late on Friday. We expect to be open until 6PM.

Since many of you find the earlier opening convenient, I will continue the spring season with these hours – 9AM till 6PM (or sold out). Closed Tuesday.

We will be open on Mother’s Day starting @ 9AM.

Just in case you happen to be cooking……..

Strawberries with Champagne Ice

Yield: 14 - 1/2 cup servings

2 medium oranges
1 medium lemon
1-1/2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
2 cups champagne
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 cup champagne
1 tablespoon sugar

1. With a vegetable peeler, peel zest in strips from oranges and lemon.
2. Squeeze juice from oranges and lemon.
3. In a large saucepan, combine water, 3/4 cup sugar, and citrus zest.
4. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Discard zest.
6. Pour liquid into a large bowl and stir in orange and lemon juices and liqueur.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
8. Stir 2 cups champagne into juice mixture.
9. Pour into 8-inch square pan and freeze until slushy, 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
10. Beat juice mixture in a mixing bowl or process in a food processor or blender until smooth.
11. Pour back into pan and refreeze for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
12. Meanwhile, hull strawberries and cut in half.
13. Put in a medium bowl and stir in 1 cup champagne and 1 tablespoon sugar.
14. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
15. Place strawberries in goblets and fill with champagne ice.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 99; Protein 0 g; Carbohydrates 15 g; Cholesterol 0 mg;
Total Fat 0 g; Saturated 0 g; Polyunsaturated 0 g;
Monounsaturated 0 g; Fiber 0 g; Sodium 5 mg
Glazed Strawberry Lemon Streusel Muffins

Yield: 12 Servings

MUFFINS
1 1/2 c Flour
1/2 c Sugar
2 ts Baking Powder
1 ts Cinnamon
1/4 ts Salt
1/2 c Milk
1/2 c Melted Butter Or Margarine
1 Egg
1 1/2 c Quartered Fresh Strawberries
1 ts Grated Lemon Peel

LEMON STREUSEL TOPPING
1/2 c Chopped Pecans
1/2 c Brown Sugar
1/4 c Flour
1 ts Cinnamon
1 ts Grated Lemon Peel
2 tb Melted Butter Or Margarine

LEMON GLAZE
1/2 c Confectioners' Sugar
1 tb Fresh Lemon Juice

Preheat oven to 375øF, prepare pans. Prepare Lemon Streusel Topping and set aside. In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl combine milk, butter and egg. Stir dry mix into wet mix until just combined. Fold in strawberries and lemon peel. Spoon into pans. Sprinkle with Lemon Streusel Topping and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pans, prepare Lemon Glaze and drizzle over warm muffins.
LEMON STREUSEL TOPPING: In a medium bowl, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, grated lemon peel and melted butter or margarine. Stir this mixture until crumbly.
LEMON GLAZE: In a small bowl, combine Confectioners' sugar and lemon juice, stir until smooth.

Diabetic Strawberry Jam - sugarfree

4 c Strawberries, halved
1/2 c Concentrated white grape juice (simmered down from 1-1/2 cups)
2 1/2 tb Lemon juice
1/4 ts Grated lemon rind
1 1/2 tb Unflavored gelatin (1-1/2 envelopes)

Place berries juices and lemon rind in saucepan. mash berries slightly to release juice. heat to boiling. Sprinkle with unflavored gelatin. Remove from heat, skim and pack into hot jars with hot lids. Cool to room temperature before freezing. Because this is stored in the freezer, you may use any airtight, leakproof freezer container for storage, even plastic containers. Tastes better if allowed to sit for a week. Freezes beautifully for up to 6 months.

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry
Carstensen Farms

Hours:
Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)
Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 9 - 6, closed Tues
June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD
Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs
Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:
Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

Opening Day hours - earlier

Hi folks!

I figured we might as well start the season off right sooooo….. on Opening Day, this Thursday 5/8, I’m going to open the doors at 9:00am – that’s right…. 1 hour earlier than I usually do. I have tons of juicy, ripe berries and plenty of harvest help so why not kick things off early right??? My personal goal – keep the stand fully stocked at all times, everyone served and happy! I can hardly wait J

Who knows…… if 9:00 works well I may continue opening early thru Sunday, May 11^th to make sure all those well deserving Mom’s get a berry treat this weekend. Stay tuned!!

Please remember: The Ely Rd. stand will not happen this year because of the frost and the late season start. You’ll only find our berries at the Casa Grande Rd location this year.

Petaluma Bounty Farmers Corner

Amy from Petaluma Bounty is working so darned hard growing all the delicious veggies and beautiful flowers that will arrive in late May/early June. She’s got arugula, turnips, onions, spinach, beets, carrots, chard, broccoli and much more along with 400 feet of gorgeous flowers. She’s an amazing farmer with a huge amount of experience and a ton of drive. I’m sending an SOS out for her to you folks. She’s carrying most of the workload with some volunteer support but she could use so much more. If any of you love to garden, have a few hours to spare and can help this truly worthwhile non-profit grow healthy food for those that need it in our local community, please give her a call at 364-8810 or email amy@petalumabounty.org. The girl is working 6 days a week and putting in really long days. I’m afraid she’s going to burn out quickly and we would lose such a gem of a farmer in our community. Can you help???

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry

Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)

Opening Day May 8th thru June 17 ...... Open daily 10 - 6, closed Tues

June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - TBD Days closed TBD

Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs

Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NOTE:

Our Ely Rd. location will not be open this year due to frost damage and the late season start - Sorry :(

Opening Day is... Thursday, May 8th Yipeeeee :)

Hi gang!!

It’s time to cut those berries loose! Opening day will be…… Thursday, May 8^th 10AM – 6PM. To keep things flowing remember the delivery schedule – the first batch is at the stand by 10AM, and more arrive at 12 noon. If I need to run to the field again I’ll be back with more at 2:30 and 4:30. Knowing my schedule really seemed to help a lot of folks last year get berries when they needed them and allowed them to plan their trips to the stand.

I can’t wait to get started and to see all your happy berry faces!!!

Cheers!

Sally Strawberry

Carstensen Farms

Hours:

Casa Grande location 490 Casa Grande Rd (across from Casa Grande High School)

Opening Day thru June 17 ...... Open daily 10 - 6, closed Tues

June 18 thru July 31 ...... Open 12 - 3 W, F, Sn only (additional closed days possible)

Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open daily 12 - 6, closed Tues, Thurs

Sept 2 to end of season ...... as available between transplanting

NEW

Ely Rd. location 484 Ely Rd. N.

Opening Day thru June 17 ...... Open M, Th, F 1 - 6, and Sat, Sun 11 - 6 closed Tues & Wed (hours different than Casa)

June 18 thru July 31 ...... CLOSED

Aug 1 thru Sept 1 ..... Open M, F 1 - 6 and Sat, Sun 11 - 6 closed Tues, Wed, Thurs (hours different than Casa)

Sept 2 - end of season ...... CLOSED