2022 has been a year of growth for Simple Promise Farms and we owe it all to our supporters! Thank you for all of your support and check back here for our weekly blog that will include a highlighted veggie of the week with corresponding recipe and weekly farm updates. We look forward to sharing with you about Simple Promise Farms this year!
News on the farm
Most of our garden did not survive the freeze, but we were able to harvest our tomatoes before the storm came. We roasted and canned our tomatoes and you can get them at the Elgin Farmers Market on Thursday, the Mueller Market on Saturday, or the Lakeline Market on Sunday. Check out the benefits of tomatoes and a delicious marinara sauce recipe below.
Our spring baby plants in the greenhouse survived and we are preparing the beds for them. The animals also came though the cold weather fine..we now even have some adorable rescue bunnies!
We are also looking forward to stepping up our herb game, so be on the lookout for dried herbs available at our farmers market booths!
Highlighted Veggie of the Week - Tomatoes
What’s So Great About Them?
Tomatoes are loaded with a substance called lycopene. It gives them their bright red color and helps protect them from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In much the same way, it can help protect your cells from damage. Tomatoes also have potassium, vitamins B and E, and other nutrients.
Immune System
Lycopene is an antioxidant -- it fights molecules called free radicals that can damage your cells and affect your immune system. Because of that, foods high in lycopene, like tomatoes, may make you less likely to have lung, stomach, or prostate cancer. Some research shows they might help prevent the disease in the pancreas, colon, throat, mouth, breast, and cervix as well.
Heart
Lycopene also may help lower your levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, as well as your blood pressure. And that may lower your chances of heart disease. Other nutrients in tomatoes, like vitamins B and E and antioxidants called flavonoids, may boost your heart health, too.
Eyes
Tomatoes have substances called lutein and zeaxanthin that may help protect your eyes from the blue light made by digital devices like smartphones and computers. They also may help keep your eyes from feeling tired and ease headaches from eyestrain. And some research shows they may even make you less likely to have a more serious form of the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.: age-related macular degeneration.
Recipe of the Week - Marinara Sauce
Active Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
This simple, flavorful tomato sauce is a weeknight savior. Make a big batch and stash it in the freezer. Add to pastas, braises, soups, and stews in the weeks to come.
Ingredients Makes about 12 cups 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Vidalia or other sweet onions, peeled, very coarsely chopped 6 garlic cloves, peeled 2 tsp. dried oregano 6 (16-oz.) Simple Promise Farms canned whole peeled tomatoes 4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more 1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more
Step 1 Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally and being careful not to let brown, until aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add oregano and stir to combine. Using your hands, crush tomatoes and add to pot along with juices; season with 4 tsp. salt and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper. Step 2 Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced slightly, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Step 3 Do Ahead: Sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 6 months.