Autumn Splendor Recipes

As we officially greet the start of fall here this week, the color-rich produce coming in from the gardens is as bright and beautiful as those first turning leaves. Featuring such favorites as Italian eggplant, broccolini, fennel and Little Gem lettuce, as well as lingering summer highlights like yellow peaches, blueberries and heirloom tomatoes, this fall-fresh lineup is also accented by pillowy focaccia bread, farm-fresh eggs, peppery edible flowers and cheery mini bouquets. Enjoy!

Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:

Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted bread as a starter!

Beet, Carrot & Pomegranate Salad
This colorful salad is perfect for fall and beyond.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Sweet Onions
Roasted sweet onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to this refreshing salad.

Grilled Fennel
A wonderful side for roasted chicken or steak.

Smoky Summer Pepper & Eggplant Salsa
This smoky salsa is a wonderful boost for burgers, sausages and more.

Roasted Ratatouille Toasts

A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted bread as a starter!

Method:
1 heirloom tomato, roughly chopped
1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, some sliced in half, others left whole
½ eggplant, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 zucchini or summer squash, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 sweet pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
⅓ cup olive oil
2½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 loaf rustic bread or focaccia, sliced into ½-inch-thick slices
½ cup crumbled sheep’s milk feta or fresh ricotta
½ cup basil, thinly sliced
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large roasting pan, toss the tomatoes, eggplant, squash or zucchini, pepper, onion and garlic with red pepper flakes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a healthy pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned and the tomatoes have released their juices. Stir the vegetables halfway through cooking, and then toss again once they have been removed from the oven.

2. Remove the vegetables from the oven and increase the temperatures to a broil. Lightly brush each slice of bread or focaccia with olive oil. Place them on the upper rack of the oven and toast until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.

3. Top each toast with a generous portion of the ratatouille mixture, and then add a little crumbled feta or dollop of ricotta on each. Garnish with the basil and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Late Summer Bounty

From Poblano peppers and eggplant to heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn, summer’s late-season bounty continues this week with a fresh and flavorful lineup that also stars gorgeous cranberry shelling beans, Italian prune plums and a wealth of fragrant herbs. Add alongside a freshly-baked load of Pain au Levain bread, farm-fresh eggs and organic greens, and you’ve got all the makings of an al fresco-ready feast for the long holiday weekend ahead. Enjoy!

Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:

Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted Pain au Levain bread as a starter!

Escarole Salad with Grana-Dijon Dressing
A wonderful side salad!

Fresh Cranberry Beans with Lemon & Olive Oil
A lovely supper side, these beautiful beans are also tossed with fresh herbs.

Grilled Corn & Poblano Salad
Smoky, a little spicy and very summery, this salad with a snap to prepare.

Grilled Eggplant with Lemon & Mint
Tossed with fresh mint for added brightness, this barbecued eggplant boasts a wonderfully-rich and smoky flavor.

Polenta Cake with Italian Prune Plums
This luscious cake is kissed with juicy Italian plums and citrus peel.

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