Summer Harvest Recipes
As July transitions into August, we have started to reach the pinnacle of summer as a bounty of crops seemingly ripen at once—sweet corn, dark red cherries, crisp lettuce greens, eggplant, summer squash and more. Thus, this week’s box pays tribute to the summer harvest with a beautiful assortment of local produce, plus creamy feta cheese from Harmony Fields, farm-fresh eggs, fragrant herbs and garlic fougasse bread. Bon appetit!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Grilled Eggplant with Lemon & Mint
Tossed with fresh mint for added brightness, this barbecued eggplant boasts a wonderfully-rich and smoky flavor.
Grilled Cherry Salsa
This flavorful condiment is excellent on top of pork tenderloin, chicken or fish.
Grilled Corn & Poblano Salad
Smoky, a little spicy and very summery, this salad with a snap to prepare.
Sautéed Summer Squash
So simple, so flavorful: These summer beauties are excellent served over grilled crostini, tossed into pastas, or scattered over pizza.
Grana Cheese-Roasted Broccolini
Tossed with garlic breadcrumbs and nutty Grana cheese, this tender broccolini is fantastic tossed with pasta or served atop grilled bread with a poached egg.
Fall Color Recipes
As leaves start to flutter to the ground and dusk descends earlier in the day, now is the time to cozy up with this week’s lineup of colorful fall offerings—like vibrant purple eggplant, ripe yellow peaches, sweet corn, red peppers, tomatoes, pluots and Persian cucumbers, as well as a bevy of greens including purslane, rainbow Swiss chard and pea shoots and then tender, fragrant herbs. Also complemented by farm-fresh eggs, Pomodoro bread and a maple cinnamon-spiced nut butter, this box is a lovely snapshot of the season at its best.
Here are some recipe ideas for the week:
Roasted Grapes with Thyme
These juicy grapes boast an intense flavor, and are wonderful served with a sharp cheese and toasted bread.
Corn Chowder with Red Pepper & Onion
Fresh sage and a hint of chile pepper give this sweet chowder just a subtle hint of spice.
Escarole Salad with Grana-Dijon Dressing
A wonderful side salad!
Rainbow Swiss Chard with Lemon Citronette
A light, lemony dressing adds bright appeal to tender Swiss chard.
Glazed Hakurei Turnips
These buttery glazed turnips are sure to delight.
Garlic Confit
A great way to use up extra garlic, or this week’s red garlic, this mellow confit makes an amazing topping for pizza, pasta and crostini.
Corn Chowder with Red Pepper & Onion
Fresh sage and a hint of red pepper give this sweet chowder just a subtle hint of spice.
Ingredients:
4 ears of corn shucked
1 sweet onion, peeled and diced
1 red Bell pepper, seeded and diced
4 cups vegetable or corn stock
6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, then place the ears of corn directly on the grates and grill, 8-10 minutes, rotating occasionally, until the cobs are slightly charred. Remove and allow to cool, then shuck the kernels from the cobs using a sharp kitchen knife. Set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a 4-quart pot until shimmering. Add the onion and peppers and sauté until lightly tender, 2-3 minutes. Add the corn (reserving a small handful for garnish), sage and chile pepper flakes; sauté for 1 minute. Season with salt to taste. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until vegetables are all tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Carefully pour half the mixture into a blender and purée until smooth (remember the soup is hot, so be careful). Stir the puréed mixture back into the pot with the remaining soup. Taste the soup and add more salt, if desired. Ladle into bowls, garnish with a few chile flakes and grilled corn kernels and serve hot.
Sweet Corn & Roasted Potato Salad with Fresh Basil
This room temperature salad will be a hit at your next barbecue. (Plus, it’s a snap to prep ahead!)
Ingredients:
3 pounds fingerling potatoes, scrubbed and halved or quartered if large
¼ cup minced parsley
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups sweet corn kernels, cut from the cob
½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, chopped
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
For dressing:
½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the potatoes in a heavy roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil, stir to coat. Salt and pepper generously and add chopped parsley. Roast the potatoes until tender and starting to brown, turning once or twice, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
2. When potatoes have cooled, combine together with the corn kernels and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. For the dressing, combine the ½ cup of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Toss the potato mixture enough dressing to coat lightly. Stir in the basil and feta cheese gently, season with salt and pepper and garnish with toasted pine nuts. Serve at room temperature.
