Carbon Cycle Farm

08/25/2018

We have quite the spread right now!

08/24/2018

Find us tomorrow in Diamond!

We will be at the Big Sale in the parking lot of the Christian Life Assembly Church from 8am-2pm with our delicious tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, green beans and much more!

Community Goods and Services Sale.

Friday & Saturday 8-2 at Christian Life Assembly 2960 E. Division Diamond, IL

08/23/2018

Beneficial insects are the best form of pest control. One of the many tools nature provides to aid us in our pesticide-free farming!

Tiny parasitoid wasps have taken care of our hornworm problem in one fell swoop by laying their eggs on this host species. Pictured here is a hornworm covered in wasp cocoons. No more eating for this little guy!

08/22/2018

We will be ending our Wednesday farm stand, but not to worry! We will still make a delivery to Tranquil Cloud on Wednesdays for those who order ahead of time. Just fill out this form before noon on Wednesdays, and we will have it there! You can pick up your order from 5:30-7:30pm in the lobby of the Tranquil Cloud Temple.

All vegetables are locally grown, non-GMO, and pesticide free!

08/14/2018

What's that pretty flower? Believe it or not, that's the flower of the okra plant! They are 3 inches in diameter, and have bright yellow petals with a deep maroon center. Just gorgeous!

It's not a crop we are too familiar with here in Illinois because it loves hot temperatures (and I know what you are thinking given our recent weather, but I'm talking Louisiana hot!). We grow it because we like it, but who knows! Maybe these hot temps will hold up, and we will have some to sell in a week or so. We will be sure to let you know!

08/10/2018

The more you know!

08/08/2018

Not only will we be there with our fresh produce, you can also get a FREE 10 minute Reflexology session!

08/07/2018

Oh so pretty...and they taste as good as they look!

Come get yours tomorrow at our New Lenox farm stand from 6pm-8pm at Tranquil Cloud Temple!

08/01/2018

Hey Hey! It's Wednesday, so that means farm stand day! Catch us at our regular spot at Tranquil Cloud in New Lenox to grab some deliciously fresh veggies. See you tonight!

Carbon Cycle Farm Cart returns to Tranquil Cloud Temple tonight from 6 to 8 pm. Stop by to purchase locally grown, fresh produce.

Today they have for sale; summer squash, zucchini, beans, eggplant, red potatoes, onions, garlic, and cherry tomatoes.

--> Are you looking for ideas for what to cook with all of this bounty? Check out this recipe, direct from two of our favorite farmers:

Summer Harvest Minestrone Soup

This soup bypasses using noodles and substitutes zucchini "noodles" instead. Of our produce, it utilizes garlic, string beans, yellow squash in addition to the zucchini.

1/2 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 carrots, diced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 pint/ 8 ounces of string beans, ends removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 yellow squash, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 zucchini cut into 1-2 inch "noodles" using a peeler

1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf

2 TBSP olive oil
1 # ground beef**
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz can red kidney beans or cannellini beans
6 cups chicken broth**

In a large heavy bottom pot, heat up the olive oil on Medium-High until oil is shimmering.
Add in the onion, celery, carrot, and 1/2 tsp coarse salt and sweat the veggies on medium heat, stirring frequently until the onion is translucent.
Add in the garlic, all of the spices and the beef, sautéing on medium high until beef is cooked all the way through.
Add in the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans and chicken broth; bring to a boil then reduce to simmer.
Simmer soup for 15 minutes, then add the yellow squash and string beans and cook until just tender.
Add the zucchini "noodles" and cook for just a couple minutes more. Add more seasoning to taste and serve with grated Parmesan on top!

**You can easily bypass the beef and sub for vegetable broth for a vegetarian option--I would just recommend doubling your beans but there is enough veg in this to really fill you up either way!

07/25/2018