I'm excited this week to see broccoli and zucchini which means we really have started our summer. We had a pan of Short Cut Zucchini Wedges with supper on Saturday. They were so good I had to make a second pan. See recipe below.
You are seeing a new herb this week, Leaf Fennel. This is not bulb fennel, so you will use the fronds to flavor your dishes with the sweet anise flavor fennel is known for.
We are also thankful for the 3/4 inch of rain we got on Sunday morning which gave all the plants in our dry fields a much needed drink and soak. This week we are picking, weeding and packing vegetables as we are every week for most of the summer. The crew today picked zucchini and is weeding our fall crop of leeks.
This is the time of year when I really start to enjoy cooking again. We've been having lettuce salads every night with fun mix-ins like shredded broccoli stems, chopped pea pods, broccoli florets and marinated zucchini. Trying different homemade salad dressings and mixing in herbs makes every salad different.
Back to Basics
Food should not be complicated. Taking a minimalist approach to preparations and recipes not only saves you time and your sanity, it allows the taste of the food to shine through. Don’t worry about making an Indian curry with 9 different spices (unless you want to!).
For example, with my kale last week, I cooked up my kale as a simple stir fry and served it over rice noodles.
Helpful hint: Stir-fry of any kind is a simple way to use up veggies you have on hand. The right sauce makes the dish. Here is a staff favorite for homemade stir-fry sauce.
Short Cut Zucchini Wedges
Tessa DeMaster, Willow Haven Farm
1 large zucchini
2 T healthy fat of choice: olive oil, coconut oil, lard, duck fat, bacon fat, etc.
1 t natural salt
½ t dried oregano
½ t dried basil
¼ t dried rosemary
- Cut zucchini into 4 inch long wedges. Place in large bowl.
- Stir in fat of choice to coat the wedges: lots of added flavor depending on your choice.
- Stir in seasonings to coat wedges evenly.
- Spread on baking sheet.
- Place on top rack of oven and broil on LO setting for 15 minutes. Broil on HI for 5 minutes or until just starting to blacken on top.
- Serve and enjoy.
We'll keep farming for you.
Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm
