I have continued the CSA with B&C Christ Farms through the winter. The apples are no longer crisp and perky, so I’ve been baking a lot of pies and making a lot of apple sauce. I get a lot of apples and I don’t want a single one to go to waste. Belonging to the CSA, I am privy to a semi-weekly greenhouse update. I see Cindy caring for the fresh plants like they are her infant children. The smell of rich earth hangs in the damp air and for a few moments, (bear with me, I’m from Barre), I feel closer to God. This stew is an easy weekday crockpot meal. Enjoy!

 2 lbs. beef stew meat
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 apples, peeled and cored
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1-1/2 cups beef broth
1 beef bouillon cube
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
4 sprigs of fresh Thyme
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp. olive oil
flour, salt and pepper

Dust beef cubes in flour, salt and pepper. Brown in olive oil. Place meat in bottom of crockpot, layer vegetables and spices. Top with beef broth. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 8 hours.