September 15 Farm Stand

Things are a little crazy around here so this post is going to be short and sweet!

But real quick, we are super honored to be representing the Farmer-Veteran Coalition at the Farm Aid event on September 22 in Hershey, PA. Therefore, we won't be opening the farm stand next weekend. So come get your goodies tomorrow!

Here's the full list we'll have this Saturday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Blawnox. We accept cash and Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks.

Turnips (New!)
Red Potatoes (New!)
Lettuce
Cherry Tomatoes
Ground Cherries
Green Beans
Zucchini

Red Onions
Garlic

Celebration Winter Squash (like a sweet Acorn) (from Clarion River Organics)
Tarragon Vinegar (homemade by Kristie)
Local (Fox Chapel) raw honey from Hannah's Honey

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September 8 Farm Stand

To make an easy fresh salsa dice up or food process tomatoes, onion,
jalapeno, salt and pepper. Adjust ratios to your liking.
Optional: cilantro & a squeeze of lime.

This week we've been busy in the kitchen, eating, canning and freezing as much summer goodness as we can. We've roasted veggies, canned tomatoes, enjoyed fresh salsa, whipped up an easy greek zucchini salad, and bottled a beautiful purple basil and garlic vinegar that we should have at the farm stand in a few weeks. This is the crazy time of the year, but it's also the tastiest.

We mentioned on Facebook that we were trying out ground cherry jam in hopes to sell this weekend. Unfortunately, we just don't have the recipe down just yet. We'll keep you posted if it ends up working out. It takes a lot of ground cherries to make the jam and since they preserve so well in their husks, jam may not be the best use.

Here's the full list we'll have this Saturday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Blawnox. We accept cash and Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks.

Fingerling Potatoes
Lettuce
Heirloom Tomatoes - Eva Purple Ball, Gold Medal, Red Cherry, Roma
Ground Cherries
Green peppers
Radishes
Green Beans
Swiss Chard

Zucchini

Yellow Summer Squash
Red Onions

Garlic
Tarragon Vinegar (homemade by Kristie)
Local (Fox Chapel) raw honey from Hannah's Honey
Celebration Winter Squash (like a sweet Acorn)  (from Clarion River Organics)

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September 1 Farm Stand

"We need real farmers who grow real food, and the will to reform a broken food system. And for that, we need not only to celebrate farmers, but also to advocate for them."

The above quote is part of an awesome op-ed written by The New York Times food columnist, Mark Bittman. You should read it. And then read some more about the horrendous state of our food system. And then take a stand against it by supporting and advocating for your local farmers.

:Stepping off soap box:

Can you believe tomorrow is September? I don't even know where August went, it barely stopped to say hello. We've got loads of ground cherries so pick up a couple baskets this week and dip them in chocolate, or can up some preserves, or make this awesome-looking cupcake pie thing (tell us how it turns out)!

Here's the full list we'll have this Saturday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Blawnox. We accept cash and Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks.

Lettuce (New!)
Fingerling Potatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes - Eva Purple Ball, Gold Medal, Pink, Red Cherry, Roma
Ground Cherries
Green peppers
Radishes
Red Onions

Garlic
Tarragon Vinegar (homemade by Kristie)
Local (Fox Chapel) raw honey from Hannah's Honey

Read more...

Cherry Tomato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette

This past weekend, our farmer friends, Joe and Sara, of Five Elements Farm, invited us over for a little harvest celebration. They have a wonderful piece of property and a beautiful home they built themselves. It's their dream and a little slice of heaven and spending time out there does amazing things for the spirit.

When trying to decide what dish to bring, I knew I needed something that was quick and easy since I was going to whip it up after the farm stand. This very simple cherry tomato salad lets in-season tomatoes sing and is a great vehicle for our tarragon vinegar (but balsamic and red wine vinegar also works too). We like to add raw garlic to our dressings for all of the wonderful health benefits, but feel free to omit it if you're not keen on garlic breath.

Cherry Tomato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette

 

Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of SVF's tarragon vinegar or balsamic/red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon of dijon mustard
2 cloves of minced garlic (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad
4 cups (about one quart) of local cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup basil, sliced thin

In a measuring cup or small bowl whisk together all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette. In a separate bowl toss the tomatoes, red onion, basil, and vinaigrette.

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