When the cherry tomatoes, eggplant and peppers begin to come in we know that we are in the height of summer. It might sound obvious but sometimes on the farm we need to stop and appreciate the current season because we are so often thinking ahead to ensure that future harvests are on the way. All the beautiful colors coming out of the fields (and into our kitchens!) this week has helped us appreciate the present. Don't worry, behind the scenes we are cultivating the fall brassicas, seeding spinach and other late season greens, and weeding the fall carrots!
In the CSA this week:
- Peppers- Green and Purple "Islander" are the first two peppers ready for picking! Many more varieties to come in late summer and early fall.
- Eggplant- The first of the season! Choose from Beatrice and Irene. Their taste is similar and both can be used in any eggplant recipe.
- Celery- This celery is a variety called Tango and it is packed with flavor which makes it great for cooking.
- Fresh Onions - Ailsa Craig and Red Long of Tropea
- Red Gold Potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Lettuce
- Summer Squash
- Zucchini
- Red Ace Beets
- Nelson Carrots
- Cabbage
- Arugula
CSA PYO:
- Jalapeno Peppers- Spicy fans out there will be happy to know that this is the first of many weeks of hot pepper picking!
- Cherry Tomatoes - All varieties are ready for picking including: Sungold, Matt's Wild, Jasper, Grape, Black Cherry and Mountain Magic. Enjoy!
- Sunflowers
- Dragon Langerie Beans- These long flat purple spotted beans are perfect for picking this week!
- Green Beans- A new planting is ready for picking.
- Herbs: Thai and regular basil, sage, mint, thyme, cilantro, dill, dill flowers and parsley
In the store:
In addition to the items listed above, we'll also have Happy Rich broccolini, and Verrill Farm sweet corn.
Peanut Noodles
On of my favorite meals for a hot summer day is rice noodles with raw veggies and peanut sauce. I start by boiling rice noodles which I drain and rinse then add to a large bowl of chopped veggies form the farm including: cucumbers, carrots, green pepper, cherry tomatoes and thai basil. Add whatever sounds good to you! Then I mix it all together with peanut sauce and top with sauteed tofu (grilled chicken works great too!). There are many options for the peanut sauce, below I've included a great one by Mark Bittman.
Peanut Sauce by Mark Bittman, How to Cook Everything
Toss this Thai-style sauce with Chinese egg noodles or pool some on the bottom of a plate and top with broiled or grilled shrimp, chicken, pork, vegetables, or tofu. Or use it as a dip for celery, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and rice crackers. If you want a smooth sauce, use peanut butter instead of chopped peanuts; for a sweeter one, add about 1/4 cup of ketchup along with the coconut milk; for lightness, substitute stock or water for the coconut milk.
3 small dried red chiles (like Thai or piquin), seeded, or cayenne or hot red pepper flakes, to taste
3 garlic cloves
2 shallots, peeled
1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, peeled, trimmed, and thinly sliced (optional)
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 tablespoon peanut oil or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce, or more to taste
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts or crunchy peanut butter
Salt
1. Combine the chiles, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and turmeric in a food processor and grind and until fairly smooth; scrape down the sides of the machine once or twice if necessary.
2. Put the oil in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chile-garlic mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Taste and add a sprinkle of salt or a little more soy sauce if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week (warm gently over very low heat or in a microwave before using).
Curry Peanut Sauce. Another layer of flavor: Omit the chiles, lemongrass, and turmeric. Instead, put one 2-inch piece of fresh ginger and 2 tablespoons of curry powder or curry paste in the food processor along with the shallots.
Simpler Peanut Sauce. More peanutty (and makes less): Omit everything except the chiles, sugar, soy sauce, and peanuts. Use the food processor to blend, adding a little water or more soy sauce to get the consistency you like. Then gently heat the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Finish with 1/4 cup each sliced scallion and minced fresh cilantro.
Southern-Style Peanut Sauce. Peanut sauce, down-home style: Omit the chiles, lemongrass, turmeric, and soy sauce. You can hand-mince the shallots and garlic if you like, instead of using the food processor. Proceed with the recipe, but use cream instead of coconut milk and lemon juice instead of lime juice.