Dear CSA Members,
Greetings from the farm! I hope you all have had a great week and are enjoying the wonderful summer weather. We have been incredibly busy here, working diligently to get several projects completed before our hardworking crew returns to school and sports.
Our plan for the upcoming week is to finish harvesting the rest of the onions and to tackle a large portion of the potatoes. It’s a busy and productive time as we strive to get everything in order. This weekend marks our last one without any sports activities until the fair break, so we are making the most of it!
On the produce front, it’s all about melons, melons, and more melons! We’ve picked our first bin of watermelons this week, and there will be plenty more to enjoy all the way until fall. Don’t forget that we also have cantaloupes and sugar cubes available, offering a sweet and refreshing variety to your weekly baskets.
In addition to the melons, we are harvesting an abundance of peppers. The real question is, "How many pecks of peppers can we pick?" We have a delightful selection including sweet peppers, Hungarian peppers, jalapeño peppers, and more. Whether you like them sweet or spicy, we’ve got you covered!
Our tomatoes are overflowing from the fields as well, and we are thrilled to share them with you. This week, we are highlighting the versatile and delicious cherry tomato. Here’s everything you need to know about storing them and seven fantastic ways to use them:
Storing Cherry Tomatoes:
- Room Temperature: Store cherry tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight. They should not be refrigerated until they are fully ripe, as this can affect their flavor and texture.
- Stem-Side Down: Place the tomatoes stem-side down to prevent moisture from entering the scar where the stem was attached, helping them last longer.
- Refrigerate When Overripe: Once fully ripe, you can refrigerate cherry tomatoes to prolong their shelf life. Bring them back to room temperature before consuming for the best flavor.
7 Delicious Ideas for Cherry Tomatoes:
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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Directions: Halve the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Toss with basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. A fresh and easy summer salad!
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Roasted Cherry Tomatoes:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Directions: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or pasta topping!
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Cherry Tomato Pasta:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, spaghetti, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese.
- Directions: Sauté halved cherry tomatoes and minced garlic in olive oil. Toss with cooked spaghetti, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. Simple and delicious!
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Tomato Bruschetta:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, French baguette.
- Directions: Mix diced cherry tomatoes with minced garlic, chopped basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Spoon onto toasted baguette slices for a tasty appetizer.
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Tomato and Cucumber Salad:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Directions: Combine halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. A refreshing and healthy salad!
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Cherry Tomato Tart:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, puff pastry, goat cheese, olive oil, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Directions: Roll out puff pastry on a baking sheet. Spread with goat cheese and top with halved cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh thyme, salt, and pepper, and bake at 375°F until golden brown.
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Tomato and Mozzarella Skewers:
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil, balsamic glaze.
- Directions: Skewer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving for a delightful appetizer.
We hope you all have a fantastic week filled with delicious and nutritious meals. Enjoy the bounty of the season and take advantage of all the wonderful produce we have to offer.
Warm regards,
The Schultz Family
