Summer Share Nine July 19thy/21st 2022

Important information:

• This is an odd biweekly share for produce and fruit for suburban locations as well as a weekly share.
• Fruit shares are in a separate small box with yellow and red peppers on it.
• If requesting a change of distribution site please include the shares you receive; thanks!

Farm News from Jane
Rain! Yeah!!! This was the first day we actually wore rain gear through the morning to harvest. A bit muddy but certainly no complaints from anyone. We had such a happy, hardworking harvest crew! Ben will get a reprieve from moving irrigation reels around the farm from early morning till late into the evening. But I’ll bet that everyone would agree that his diligence has paid off handsomely with lots of beautiful produce. Yes, some things have gotten a little dry but overall, the veggies look and taste great. I once read an article about plants that get stressed to some degree, produce more nutrients than those that are not stressed. So, we should be eating healthy! We have had such a beautiful summer if you don’t need rain. Not too many hot days and frequent cool nights to enjoy.
More crucifers went out into the field last week; white, orange and purple cauliflowers, red and green cabbage and Brussel sprouts. The onion plants have dried down rapidly with the prolonged dry weather so now we will concentrate on getting them out of the ground and into the greenhouse to finish curing. Just like the garlic, when it’s time to harvest we need to move swiftly. Onions left too long in the field when the conditions get wet can cause spoilage. Last year I was quite concerned about how quickly they changed but they were harvested quickly and it was a great crop. The seeding continues as well as moving tiny seedlings into bigger cell trays in the greenhouse. They grow so rapidly sometimes I am taken aback from one evening to the next morning. The growth is so dramatic, especially with all the sunshine we’ve had this summer. Sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to store some of these sunny days for January when the skies loom overcast and dark for days at a time. But I guess that we just have to enjoy the season we are in… Sky watching is quite an interesting pastime. I am fortunate to have an upstairs office with an east window overlooking pastures. Right now, the sun is breaking through the western sky while layers of different shades of gray clouds move along the storm front. What beauty we have in the natural world…  All for our viewing pleasure!
Beans, corn, tomatoes, cukes and squash- summer fare at its best! Enjoy it all, Jane

Produce:   Walla Walla onions   Chioggia beets   Carrots   Swiss chard   Burgundy beans
Pepper   Cucumbers   Tomatoes   Sweet Corn   Zucchini   Yellow squash   

Fruit share:   Lapin sweet cherries    Tart cherries
– All cherries should be washed before eating. Tart cherries do not keep as long as the sweets; use promptly.

Produce tips:
– The first block of the sweet corn is a small yield; a bit of a tease. Early corn does not usually suffer from “friends” but this year’s weather has been conducive to their lifestyle… You may want to cut the corn off the cob of this first harvest.
– Burgundy beans; this heirloom variety of purple beans will turn a khaki green when cooked; disappointing but they’re still really tasty! Yummy raw and still purple for an appetizer.
– Chioggia beets are the “peppermint striped” variety. They make a beautiful salad when mandolined.
– Tomatoes: Saladette and cherry tomatoes will be rotated in shares. Later we hope to have full size tomatoes. Small varieties are grown in the high tunnel greenhouses and ripen much earlier. The full-size tomatoes are grown outside and are just setting fruit.
– Sweet Bell peppers are the earliest variety. We will also have Cubanelles, and some hot peppers.
– Walla Walla onions are the northern version of the Vidalia. It is the sweetest and mildest variety we grow.
– Summer squash can be used interchangeably in recipes. Try yellow squash for zucchini recipes like bread, brownies and cake!

 

Recipes
FRIED BEETS AND CARROTS

2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 medium beets, quartered, sliced 1/4-inch thick; 2 medium carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick; tamari sauce; greens
Heat olive oil in skillet. Add cumin; cook about 1 minute. Add beets and carrots; fry until tender. Remove from heat, sprinkle on a little tamari, and serve. Variation: If using young beets save the tops. When the beets and carrots are tender, add chopped greens, cover, and cook until soft. Toss mixture, sprinkle with tamari, and serve. Makes 2-4 servings. Recipe from Linda Derrickson, Sunporch Cafe

MARINATED BEET AND SUMMER SQUASH SALAD
2 Medium-size beets, cooked, peeled and thinly sliced; 4 bunching onions, thinly sliced; 1/4 Cup olive oil; 3 Tbsp tarragon vinegar; 1/2 Tbsp sugar; 2 Small yellow summer squash (or zucchini, or a combination), cut into 1/4-inch slices; 1 Tbsp minced dill; 3/4 Cup sour cream; Salt and black pepper; 2 Scallions, each with 3 inches green top, coarsely chopped
Directions: Toss together the beets and onions with 1/8 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. In another bowl toss together the squash slices, the remainder of the oil and vinegar, and the dill. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just prior to serving, drain the squash and toss all the vegetables together with the sour cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper, adding additional sugar and vinegar if desired for a more distinctive sweet-and-sour taste. 3 servings

LENTIL & ROASTED BEET SALAD
Salad: 1 pound beets (about 3 medium), 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 cup de Puy lentils (small, slate-green lentils from France; but it works using regular lentils), 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided, 1 whole bay leaf (dried or fresh), 2 large cloves of garlic, peeled & smashed, 1/2 medium onion, studded with a whole clove, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning to taste
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, freshly ground black pepper to taste, 6 cups mixed baby greens, 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Dressing (makes 1/2 cup): 3 Tablespoons sherry vinegar, 2 Tablespoons whole-grain mustard, 1 tsp kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 medium shallots, minced
Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim all but 1 inch of the beet stems. Put the beets on a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and seal the foil to make a tight package. Put the package in a small roasting pan. Roast the beets until easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them- the skins should slide right off with a bit of pressure from your fingers. If they don’t, use a paring knife to scrape off any bits that stick. Dice the beets and set aside. While you roast the beets, spread the lentils on a pan and pick out any pebbles or other foreign matter; rinse and drain. Put the lentils in a saucepan with cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Add 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary and the bay leaf to the pan, along with the smashed garlic, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Strain the lentils and discard garlic and onion. While lentils are simmering, prepare the salad dressing: Whisk vinegar with mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick vinaigrette. Stir in the shallots. Use immediately or refrigerate in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days. Put the warm lentils in a bowl and stir in half of the dressing. Cool the lentils completely, then add the beets, parsley, and remaining 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Lightly dress the greens with a bit of the dressing and divide among 6 plates. Spoon some of the lentil salad onto the greens, crumble goat cheese over each serving, and drizzle with some of the remaining vinaigrette.

QUICK BEET SALAD
¼ C sour cream, 1T horseradish, 1T chopped fresh dill, 2t olive plus 1T live oil divided, ¼ t ground pepper, 1/8 t salt, 1# precooked beets cut into ¼ “slices or wedges, 1t white wine vinegar
Combine sour cream, horse radish, dill, 2 t oil, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Toss beets with vinegar and the remaining 1T oil. Serve the beets topped with the sauce. Recipe from Eating Well magazine

BEET CARPACCIO

For salad: 1 lb. beets (preferably Chioggia), trimmed and peeled, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup roasted pistachio nutmeats, 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled; 1/4 cup greens

For dressing: 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon, 1 teaspoon superfine sugar, 1/3 cup olive oil, salt and white pepper

Thinly slice the beets with a mandolined slicer.  Place the slices into a bowl and toss with 1/4 cup lemon juice.  Set aside. (The lemon juice will help preserve the color of the beets when you cook them, so let them sit at least 10 minutes while you prep everything else.) Make the dressing: Mix together vinegar, sour cream, tarragon, and sugar with a wire whisk until well-blended.  Slowly add the olive oil, while whisking constantly.  (This creates an emulsion).  Add salt and white pepper to taste.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Bring water to a boil in a large pot that has a steamer tray.  If you like, add salt and a splash of lemon juice to the water.  Once boiling, place beet slices on the streamer tray (it’s alright if they overlap slightly).  Cover and steam for 5-6 minutes, or until tender yet firm.  Briefly shock the beets in an ice bath, then drain.  Layer the beets and onions on four small plates.  Sprinkle with pistachios and feta cheese crumbles.  Make sure the dressing is well-stirred, then lightly drizzle over the salad. Top with microgreens. Recipe from Restaurant Widow; Serves 4

CARROT SALAD
1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley, 1 teaspoon, Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 bag (10 ounces) shredded carrots, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 small red onion, chopped, 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, mustard, salt and sugar in small bowl.
Combine carrots, cranberries, onion and almonds in large bowl. Add dressing. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Recipe courtesy Family Circle Magazine

BALSAMIC ROASTED CARROTS
1 T olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ½# carrots, 2T balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and carrots in a bag or bowl; toss to coat. Pour the carrots into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle the balsamic vinegar over the carrots; shake the pan to coat evenly. Return to oven and bake until the liquid is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Recipe from Allrecipe.com

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CUMIN & CINNAMON
1 bunch carrots, halved lengthwise then crosswise into 3-inch pieces, orange juice, EVOO, pinch salt, pinch ground cumin, pinch ground cinnamon. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Toss carrots with orange juice, EVOO, salt, ground cumin and ground cinnamon. Roast, tossing halfway through cooking, until carrots are soft and browned in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley.

MOROCCAN GRATED CARROT AND BEET SALAD RECIPE

2 cups of grated carrots (from about 3 carrots), 1 cup of grated fresh beets (from about 1 medium sized peeled beet), 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/2 teaspoon paprika (sweet, not hot), 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, small pinch of salt, small pinch of cayenne, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 teaspoons honey, 2 Tbsp sliced fresh mint leaves
Place the grated carrots in a medium sized serving bowl. Place the grated beets into a sieve and briefly rinse with cold water. This will rinse away a little of the excess beet juice that may otherwise color the whole salad beet red.  Pat dry with a paper towel. Then add to the bowl with the carrots.  Add the raisins.  Stir to gently combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Then add the lemon juice and honey and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the carrots and beets, then gently fold until the carrots and beets are lightly coated.  Let sit for an hour before serving, either chilled or at room temperature, for the dressing to seep into the carrots and beets. Right before serving, stir in a couple tablespoons of sliced fresh mint leaves. Garnish with fresh mint. Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

SWISS CHARD QUICHE
1 lb. Swiss chard or spinach, cook and drain thoroughly; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 cup milk; 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded; 1 cup bread cubed; 1/2 cup sliced green onions; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Combine all ingredients with cooked greens. Pour into 2-quart baking dish. Cover and bake in 375degree oven until set, 25-30 min.

MICAH’S YUMMY CHARD PIE
1 Tbsp olive oil; 3/4 cup chopped onions; a few chopped garlic scapes; 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed and leaves chopped; 3-4 eggs; 1 cup milk or half and half; 1/2 tsp salt; 8 -inch pie shell; 1 cup grated cheddar or Swiss cheese; chopped ham; cooked bacon; diced tomatoes, chopped basil, blanched peas, or green beans (optional); 1 tsp dill
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in large skillet over medium flame. Add the onion and scapes; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add chopped greens and cook, stirring often, until they wilt. Turn off heat. Beat eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl. Spread chard mixture in bottom of pie shell. Add cheese. Pour egg mixture over top. Add optional ingredients, if desired. Sprinkle with dill. Bake at 400 degrees until the pie are no longer jiggly in the center, 30 -40 minutes. Makes 8 slices

SWISS CHARD OMELET WITH MIDDLE EASTERN SAVOR
For each omelet: 1-2 tsp olive oil; 3 eggs, beaten; 1/2C chopped, cooked chard leaves and/or stems, warm or at room temperature; 1 T currants; 1 T finely chopped kalamata olives; I T toasted pine nuts; lemon juice; sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; herb sprig (rosemary, thyme, sage, etc.)
Heat olive oil in small nonstick skillet over high flame. Add beaten eggs-they will immediately begin to set on bottom of pan. With a spatula or nonstick egg lifter, pull the cooked egg from outer edges of pan toward center. The uncooked egg will spread and cook. Use spatula to help spread the liquid egg off top of cooked egg and onto exposed sections of pan bottom. Continue to do this until nearly all the liquid egg is set. Reduce heat to very low. The egg will continue to cook as you layer the following across the omelet: chard, currants, olives, and pine nuts. Sprinkle with a few drops of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, hold a plate close to the edge of skillet and, shaking skillet slightly, slip omelet onto the plate, either rolling it into a cigar shape or folding it over into a half-moon. Serve immediately. (Or, since this entire process takes only 2-3 minutes, you can keep the omelet warm in the oven while you make more of them.) Garnish with an herb sprig. Makes 1 serving. *This is best if the chard has been cooked with garlic and onions. Recipe from MACSAC

CHARD WRAPPED CHICKEN
1/4 cup olive oil; 2 Tbsp fresh dill, oregano or sage; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 6 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts; 6 Swiss chard leaves, stems trimmed
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl combine olive oil, 1 tbsp herbs, garlic and pepper. In another small bowl combine feta cheese and one tablespoon of the olive oil mixture. Mash mixture together with the back of a spoon to forma paste. Top each chicken breast with some of the feta mixture pressing firmly. Wrap center portion of each chicken breast with a Swiss chard leaf, leaving ends exposed. Place wrapped chicken in a 3 quart (9 x 13) rectangular baking dish. Bake uncovered for 25 – 30 minutes or until done. If desired, sprinkle chicken with remaining tablespoon of herbs.

SWISS CHARD PIZZA
First chop the chard leaves and stems separately. Then microwave them separately as the stems will take a bit longer. Knead dough into pan. Massage oil onto dough. Spread on the chopped chard leaves then cover with chopped onion, 4 garlic cloves, oregano, chopped stems and grated parmesan cheese. Cover with another layer of dough which you have rolled out to approximate size. Vent the cover with holes to allow extra moisture to escape. Bake for 25 minutes at 325.

ASIAN-STYLE CHARD
1 bunch Swiss chard, cleaned; 1 tablespoon peanut oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic scapes; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; freshly ground black pepper
Cut off and discard thick stem ends of chard. Cut out ribs; chop ribs into 2-inch pieces; set aside in a pile. Stack the leaves in small piles; coarsely chop them. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high flame. Add ribs; toss and cook 1 1/2 minutes. Add leaves and garlic; continue to cook, tossing often, until chard begins to wilt, 2-3 minutes. Stir in soy sauce; cook until chard is tender, 1-3 minutes longer. Add pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Makes 2-4 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

SWISS CHARD PIE
1/2 onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tbsp oil; 1 bunch Swiss chard; 3 eggs; 1/2 cup shredded cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pie crust

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Brown onion and garlic in oil. Trim and chop chard, add to pan, and cook down until wilted. Beat eggs in a bowl; mix in cheese, salt, and chard mixture. Pour into pie crust; bake until knife inserted into center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes. Makes 1 pie. Recipe from Susanna Trucke, Dog Hollow Farm

ROASTED BEANS
2 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb. whole beans, trimmed; 1 cup thinly sliced onion; 10 to 12 garlic cloves, peeled; salt and pepper; 1 to 2 tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar; 1 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a large cookie sheet with 2 tbsp olive oil. Spread the beans, onions and garlic cloves on the tray and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring or shaking the tray. Taste a bean to see if it is tender enough for you; cook for 5-10 minutes if still crisp. Remove from oven; transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with vinegar, and some black pepper if desired. Serve at any temperature topped with toasted pine nuts. Serves 6

HERBED GREEN BEANS
1/2-pound fresh green beans, cooked; 2 tbsp butter or margarine; 1/4 cup minced onion; 1/2 clove garlic, minced; 2 tbsp finely chopped celery; 1/4 cup minced fresh celery leaves; 2 tbsp dried rosemary, crushed; 1/4 tsp dried basil, crushed; 1/8 tsp salt; Freshly ground pepper to taste
Drain cooked beans. Melt butter or margarine in saucepan; add onion, garlic, and celery. Sauté for 4 minutes. Add celery leaves, rosemary, basil, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add beans and toss; cover and heat through. Toss again before serving. Serves 3 to 4

QUICK AND EASY PURPLE GREEN BEANS
6 cups green beans, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/3 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Wash your beans then snap the ends off of all the beans. You are taking off about 1/4-1/2 inch. depending on how long the skinny tales are. Discard the ends. Heat the olive oil and water a heavy bottom, large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the green beans. Stir to coat. Let them sit for 5 minutes or so. You should start to hear them pop. When you hear some popping, stir, then cover the pot and let them cook for 5-7 more minutes. Uncover, check doneness (the longer they cook, they less crisp they are). Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Serve warm and try not to eat all of them as you bring them to the table. Recipe form iheartvegetables.com

BURGUNDY BEAN BOWL
3/4 cup burgundy beans, washed and ends snapped, and cut into 1-inch pieces, 1/2 medium onion, diced, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a bit for drizzling, 4 ounces tempeh, cut in small cubes, 3/4 cup lettuce, chopped, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute, stirring occasionally, about five minutes. Clear a space in the center and add beans. Saute 3-5 minutes until beans have started turning green. Add tempeh and garlic and stir occasionally. Place lettuce in a bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top and toss to coat. When tempeh is nice and brown and beans are bright green, add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan. Sprinkle contents of pan with salt and pepper. Serve nestled on top of prepared lettuce. Serves 1 for lunch or 2 as a side dish Recipe from https://centerstagewellness.com

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
2 pounds green beans, stem ends snipped off; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 medium onions, sliced as thinly as possible; 1 cup chicken stock; 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; salt and pepper to taste Cook beans in boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 2-4 minutes. Drain; immerse in ice water. Drain again and let stand to dry. Melt butter in skillet over medium flame. Stir in onions and cook them slowly until very wilted and deepened in color, about 15 minutes. Boil stock in a saucepan until reduced to 1/4 cup; stir in sugar and vinegar. Stir in onions. Simmer until slightly reduced. Combine onions and green beans; heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 8 servings.

CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD
8 oz rotini; 2 c peeled cucumber slices; 1 c quartered cherry tomatoes; 1 (l5-oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed; 3/4 Tbsp dried dill weed; 1/2 c ranch-style dressing; 1/3 c plain low-fat yogurt; crumbled feta cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In salad bowl, toss cooled pasta with cucumbers, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and dill weed. In a small bowl, blend dressing and yogurt. Add to salad bowl; stir until well-coated. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Crumble feta on top; serve. Makes 8 servings

FRESH TOMATO AND FETA SAUCE FOR PASTA
1/2-pound angel hair pasta; fresh, great-tasting tomatoes, enough to make 2 cups chopped tomatoes or 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes; 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 cup olive oil; salt and pepper; feta cheese
Boil pasta in large quantity of salted water until just tender. Meanwhile, chop tomatoes and place in bowl. (If you’re using paste, or Roma-type, tomatoes, you may first cut a shallow X in the bottom of each, dip the tomatoes in the boiling pasta water 10-20 seconds, and remove skins.) Place lemon juice in a large bowl; whisk in oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Rinse and drain pasta; toss with oil mixture. Transfer pasta to a large, shallow platter and top with chopped tomatoes. Crumble feta on top, as much or as little as you like. Serve at room temperature. This recipe came from a sister’s friend. You can vary the amounts to serve any number of people. Makes 3-4 servings.

CORNY TOMATO SALAD
1 Tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp chopped, fresh oregano; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 tsp chili powder; 1/8 tsp ground cumin; 1/8 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 tomatoes, diced; 1 small zucchini, diced; 1/2 c thinly sliced shallots; 2/3 cup corn, uncooked
Whisk together juice, salt, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin, pepper and oil in medium bowl. Add tomatoes, zucchini, onions and corn; toss. Marinate at room temperature 1 hour or several hours in the refrigerator. Makes 6 servings

WALNUT-MOZZARELLA SALAD
1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 2 teaspoons prepared Dijon, mustard; 1/4 cup walnut oil (can be found in specialty stores); 1/2 cup broken walnut pieces; 2 cups sliced fennel stalk or celery; 1 clove garlic, crushed; 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped; 2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes; 1 small onion, sliced in rings; 1 cup shredded or cubed Mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup basil, chopped
In a small bowl, combine vinegar and mustard; set aside. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add walnuts, sautéing until they begin to brown. Toss in fennel and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly until fennel begins to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and mix in remaining ingredients. Blend in vinegar mixture and toss gently. Serve immediately on a bed of lettuce for each serving. Serves 4.
Recipe from Especially Herbs.

CORN AND TOMATO SOUP
2 cups cooked whole kernel corn; 2 medium tomatoes, chopped; 4 large stalks celery, chopped; 1-quart cold water; 2 tablespoons softened butter; 3 tablespoons unbleached flour; 1 cup milk; ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese; 1/2 cup chopped pimento; 2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano; Salt and freshly ground pepper
In a large soup pot, cover the corn, tomatoes, and celery with the cold water. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and blend in the flour, making a roux. Gradually add the milk and cook until thickened, stirring frequently. Add the milk mixture to the soup pot and stir well. Add the cheese, pimento, and oregano and stir until the cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve in heated bowls. 2 qts. Recipe from Herbal Soups, Salads, Breads and Sweets.

SWEET ZUCCHINI BISCUITS
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 tbsp orange or lemon juice; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground mace; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 1/2 cups shredded, drained zucchini; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (orange part of rind only); powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees; grease 2 baking sheets. Beat margarine until fluffy. Beat in sugar, eggs, and orange juice. Combine flour, baking powder, spices, and salt; stir into egg mixture. Stir in zucchini, pecans, and orange zest. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake about 10 minutes. Cool on racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Makes 5 dozen biscuits; Recipe from Angele Theriault, member of Harmony Valley Farm

LEMON-ZUCCHINI RIBBONS
Trim and remove the skin of 2 zucchini with a vegetable peeler. Peel the flesh into long vertical strips, 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Toss in a large bowl with 12 thinly sliced oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves (plus 1/2 teaspoon oil from the jar), 1 teaspoons lemon· zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

LEMONY ZUCCHINI BREAD
4 c. flour, 1 ½ c. sugar, 1 pkg. instant lemon pudding, 1/2T soda, 1 t. powder, 4 eggs, 1t. salt, 1 ¼ c. milk, 1 c. oil, 3T lemon juice, 2t. grated lemon peel, 1t. salt, 1t. lemon ext., 2 c. shredded zucchini, ¼ c. poppy seeds.
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, pudding mix, soda, powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, lemon juice and extract. Stir in dry ingredients until moistened and fold in zucchini, poppy seeds and lemon peel. Pour into 2 greased 9×5 loaf pans. Bake @ 350 for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans.

COLD ZUCCHINI AND SUMMER SQUASH SOUP ADAPTED FROM BON APPETIT
2-3 tbsp olive oil and maybe some butter, 1 medium onion, sliced or chopped 2 garlic cloves, sliced or crushed, your choice, 6-9 medium zucchini or summer squash, or a mix, 4 cups broth, sour cream, for garnish
*You’ll need a blender or an immersion blender for this. Because you will be blending everything smooth, it doesn’t matter how well you slice or chop the vegetables—great, right? But large chunks still probably aren’t a good idea because that will affect cooking time. What I’m saying is: do a mediocre job at chopping, but not a sloppy one. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the onions and garlic in the olive oil and/or butter until they’re brown. It sounds pretentious but, if you are patient and cook the onion until it’s really brown and delicious, that taste will infiltrate the rest of your soup and it’s totally worth the extra time. Add zucchini and summer squash, toss with the onions. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover, lower heat to a simmer, and cook 10 minutes, until zucchini is tender.
Let cool to lukewarm and blend. Serve lukewarm or cold. Garnish with sour cream—it’s kind of great because the soup is somehow, mysteriously, creamy and the sour cream adds a nice tanginess.

ZUCCHINI CHILI-CHEDDAR MASH
1T. canola oil, 1+1/4 lbs. zucchini (2-3), halved lengthwise and sliced, 1 medium onion. Chopped, 1 4 oz. can diced green chiles, drained, ¼ t. salt, ½ C. extra sharp Cheddar cheese
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and onion; stir to coat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Stir in chiles and salt; cook until heated through, 1 minute more. Transfer to a medium bowl. Mash with a potato masher until chunky. Not completely smooth. Stir in cheese and serve immediately. Serves 4 about 2/3 c. each

RAW SUMMER SQAUSH SALAD
3 T fresh squeezed lemon juice (or a bit less), 4 T good quality extra virgin olive oil, zested skin from one whole lemon (or a bit less), 2-3 medium sized yellow or green summer squash (about 3-4 cups sliced squash), 4-6 oz. baby arugula leaves (3-4 handfuls), 1/2 cup sliced or chopped fresh herbs (basil, mint, or parsley would be my choice), 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Zest the lemon and place the zest in a bowl or glass measuring cup. Squeeze the juice from the zested lemon, then add more juice as needed to make 3 T lemon juice. (I’m a big lemon fan, so if you’re not that crazy about lemon 2 T might be enough for you.) Add lemon juice to the zest, then whisk in the olive oil. Cut off the ends of squash, then wash and dry. Cut lengthwise, then use a mandoline or chef’s knife to cut into very thin slices. (I used the 1.5 mm blade on the mandoline.) Layer the sliced squash into a flat dish and pour over about 2/3 of the dressing and season with a generous amount of salt and fresh ground black pepper. Let squash marinate 15-30 minutes while you prep other ingredients. Wash baby arugula leaves and spin dry or dry with paper towels. (I pinch off the big stems, but this is optional unless you’re taking photos!) Wash herbs of your choice and spin dry or dry with paper towels, then either slice or coarsely chop herbs. Combine arugula and herbs in bowl large enough to hold all the salad. Add marinated squash slices, toss to combine, and taste to see if you want to add more dressing, salt, or fresh ground black pepper. (I added a bit more dressing.) Arrange salad on individual salad plates, sprinkle each with 1 T crumbled feta cheese, and serve. Recipe from kalynskitchen.com

MARINATED CUCUMBER SALAD

2 medium cucumbers; 1 tablespoon salt; ½ cup sugar; 3/4 cup dry cider; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill; pinch of freshly ground black pepper; sprig of dill, to garnish
Slice the cucumbers thinly and place them in a colander, sprinkling salt between each layer. Set the colander over a bowl and let drain for 1 hour. Thoroughly rinse the cucumber slices under cold running water to remove excess salt, then pat dry on absorbent paper towels. Gently heat the sugar, cider and vinegar in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool. Put the cucumber slices in a bowl, pour the cider mixture over them and let marinate for 2 hours. Drain the cucumber and sprinkle with the dill and pepper to taste. Mix well and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with a sprig of dill. Chill until ready to serve. Serves 4-6 Recipe from Vegetarian the best ever recipe collection.

TZATZIKI: CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 2 cloves garlic (finely minced), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, 1 cup ​​Greek yogurt (strained), 1 cup sour cream, 2 cucumbers (peeled, seeded, and diced), 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined. Using a whisk, blend the yogurt with the sour cream in a separate bowl. Add the olive oil mixture to the yogurt mixture and mix well. Add the cucumber and chopped fresh dill. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill. Recipe form: thespruceeats.com

CUCUMBERS IN SOUR CREAM
1 large cucumber; 1/2 cup thick sour cream; 1-1/2 tbsp cider vinegar; 1 tbsp chopped chives; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp. white pepper; hard-cooked egg yolk
Rinse and pare cucumber. Score 1/8 inch deep by drawing tines of a fork lengthwise over entire surface. Cut into thin slices. Combine sour cream, vinegar, chives, salt and pepper. Pour over cucumber slices. Toss lightly to coat evenly. Chill thoroughly. Garnish with finely grated, hard-cooked egg yolk. Makes 4 servings.

CHERRY-ALMOND LOAF CAKE
1 cup blanched almonds; 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar 3 eggs, at room temperature; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups pitted cherries; confectioners’ sugar
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 5×8-inch loaf pan. Coarsely chop the almonds in a food processor. Remove 1.4 cup and set it aside. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the remaining almonds and process until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cream the butter with the 3/4 cup sugar in the food processor, then add the eggs one at a time, incorporating each one fully as you go. Add the flavorings, then half the flour-almond mixture. Pulse several times to incorporate. Add the remainder and pulse until smooth. Scrape into the prepared pan and cover with the cherries. Mix the reserved almonds with the teaspoon of sugar and sprinkle over the top of the cake. Bake the cake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Let cool in the pan, then turn it out and transfer to a cake plate. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving. Serves 8 Recipe from Local Flavors

CHERRY COBBLER
3 c pitted sour cherries; 1/2 c sugar; 1 Tbsp cooking tapioca; 1 Tbsp butter, melted
For topping: 1 c flour; 1 c sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 egg; 4 Tbsp butter, softened
In bowl, combine cherries, sugar, tapioca and butter. Stir until well-blended. Spoon into buttered 71/2- by 11 3/4-inch baking dish. Prepare topping: Stir together flour, sugar, salt, egg and butter until crumbly. If desired, use pastry blender to blend in butter. Distribute over top of fruit. Bake at 350 degrees 45 minutes, or until fruit is tender and topping is lightly browned. Makes 8-10 servings Recipe from Farm-Fresh Recipes.

SOUR CHERRY CORN CAKES
2 cups fresh or canned pitted sour cherries, drained; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 tablespoon Chambord liqueur; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix; 1 large egg; 3/4 cup milk; 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus additional butter for cooking the cakes
Combine the cherries, sugar, Chambord, and lemon zest. Let sit for about an hour or longer. Combine the muffin mix, egg, milk, and melted butter. The batter will be thick. In a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon butter until the butter is bubbling. Drop about 4 cups of the batter into the skillet for each corn cake. Spoon the cherries onto the wet side of the corn cakes. The corn batter is a little thicker than pancake batter and will not bubble through as much when it is ready to be flipped. Lift up an edge and peek underneath; when it is golden brown, flip it over. Make sure the batter is cooked all the way through, particularly around the cherries. The fruit will burn easily, so you may have to flip the cakes back and forth until they are done. Serves 2. Recipe from The Café Pongo Cookbook.

DANISH CHERRIES
4 cups pitted cherries; 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch; 3-4 tbsp sugar; ¼ cup lemon juice; ½ tsp grated lemon rind; ¾ tsp almond extract; ½ cup slivered almonds
Place cherries in a heavy medium-sized saucepan, and cook over medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl. Add lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Stir this into the hot cherries, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon rind, almond extract and slivered almonds. Serve with whipped cream or yogurt. Makes 6 servings. Recipe from The Moosewood Cookbook.

FRIED PEPPERS WITH EGGS
1 large green pepper; 1 tbsp salad oil; 1/4 tsp salt; pinch of garlic salt; pinch of pepper; 1 egg; pinch of salt; 1 tbsp water
Wash pepper, cut off stem ends and remove seeds. Cut in strips. Add peppers to heated oil in skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring with a fork, until they are heated. Do not let peppers brown. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt, garlic salt and pepper. Lower heat; cover and cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover, increase heat to medium and cook to desired tenderness. For best flavor, do not overcook. Beat eggs, pinch of salt and water together slightly. Pour over peppers in skillet; do not stir mixture until eggs start to set; then, with fork or spatula, move mixture to allow all liquid to set. Do not let eggs overcook. Turn onto warm platter.

HOW SWEET IT IS CORN AND PEPPER SALAD
4 ears sweet com; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 2 tablespoons slivered basil; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 cup olive oil; salt and pepper
Husk com and boil or grill until crisp-tender. Cool and slice off the kernels. Place com in bowl with sweet peppers, onions; and basil. Whisk balsamic vinegar and mustard in a small bowl, then slowly whisk in olive oil a little at a time. Toss with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 4 servings.

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS
1 lb. spicy Italian sausage links; 2 sweet peppers, seeded and cut into chunks; 1/4 large yellow onion; 1/4 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp fennel seed; 3 tbsp dry white wine; 1 tbsp chicken stock |
Place sausage in roasting pan and cover with pepper chunks and onion quarters. Sprinkle with oregano and fennel seed. Pour wine and stock over, and mix. Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees; toss. Bake 30 minutes more, or until sausage is cooked through. Serve hot as a side dish or main dish. Makes 16 servings