Sun Ripened Recipes
No matter how you pronounce it, the word ‘tomato’ practically sings of summer, as well it should as the seasonal beauties are now at their best here in August. This week’s box pays homage to the ripe, juicy summer favorite with a selection of heirloom tomatoes, plus fresh bucatini pasta, sun-dried tomato-kissed Pomodoro bread, farm-fresh eggs, and smoky scamorza cheese all to help you enjoy their vine-ripened glory. A wealth of summer produce ranging from fennel and peppers to summer squash and cucumbers, plus ripe Tuscan melon and fresh-picked blueberries from Bow, Washington, finishes off this bright and beautiful lineup.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Fresh Bucatini Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil
Using top-notch olive oil and an authentic Grana-style cheese are key to this dish’s success.
Tian Provencal
If you are looking for a new vegetarian centerpiece, this baked dish is both gorgeous and delicious.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Corn & Roasted Sweet Onions
Roasted sweet onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to this refreshing salad.
Cucumber Melon Salad with Feta
A true homage to summer, this salad from The Splendid Table is cool, crisp and juicy.
Pan-Fried Peppers with Lemon & Garlic
Seasoned with slivered garlic, this Bon Appetit recipe is a favorite for enjoying fresh peppers.
Pickled Blueberries
These tart-sweet berries are a wonderful finishing touch for salads and sandwiches (try them on grilled cheese sammie crafted with this week’s smoky scamorza).
Fresh Bucatini Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil
Using top-notch olive oil and an authentic Grana-style cheese are key to this dish’s success.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh bucatini pasta
1 pound (about 2-3) heirloom tomatoes, diced
¼ cup julienned basil leaves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Shaved Grana-style cheese, for garnish
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, stir gently and cook until al dente, 1½ to 2 minutes. Drain.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes, shallot and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place the drained pasta on top of the tomato mixture and toss to combine. Stir in the basil and season with additional salt if needed. Transfer to a large serving bowl, drizzle with additional olive oil and sprinkle with Grana-style cheese. Serve immediately.
Summer Splendor Recipes
The Italian summer calls to mind visions of beautiful wine, fresh creamy cheeses, and garden-fresh produce simply and beautifully prepared. Hence, this week’s box captures the flavors of summer by way of Italy with a bounty of produce that includes heirloom tomatoes, Italian eggplant, fennel, and zucchini, plus Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage and fresh fior di latte mozzarella-style cheese from Ferndale Farmstead Creamery. Also included for this relaxed, refreshing spread: Italian Rustica bread, farm-fresh eggs, ripe yellow peaches, and fragrant, garden-grown herbs. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Fresh Peach Caprese
Summer perfection on a plate!
Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted Italian Rustica bread as a starter!
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil-Pesto Vinaigrette and Fresh Mozzarella
A beautiful twist on the classic Caprese salad!
Grilled Fennel
A wonderful side for grilled chicken or steak.
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Zucchini
Brushed with a herb-kissed butter mixture, these zucchini slices pair well with grilled chicken, fish or steak.
Peach Cobbler
It’s hard to beat this classic summer dessert—just add vanilla ice cream!
Fresh Peach Caprese
Summer perfection on a plate!
Ingredients:
3 ripe peaches
1 8-ounce ball fresh mozzarella cheese
10 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Slice the peaches and the mozzarella into pieces of a similar thickness.
2. Layer sliced peaches, mozzarella, and basil leaves on two plates, dividing the ingredients evenly between the two. Drizzle evenly with balsamic vinegar and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
