Hot in the City…and everywhere else for that matter…

I am so not ready for school to start, but I do find myself thinking longingly about fall, and the ski/snowboard trip we have planned for Christmas. I guess after a long period of really hot, dry days, time just kind of runs together into one hot, humid memory. Kind of like the “dog days” of summer, except these doggy days have lasted all summer long.

One great thing though, have been the beautiful boxes that Doe Run Farm has put together all summer long. We are truly blessed to have such variety. I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our local farmers who have been putting in long hours in this heat. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO JOHN AND JUDY!


Farm News
Hot, hot, and dry on the farm,

The CSA deliveries are running smoothly with only slight delays here and there due to traffic on delivery days.

The CSA shares are really beautiful at this time of the year. Everything in it's prime right now and that's how Doe Run decides when to have their CSA going on, when everything is in its prime in the garden.

Southern Peas are coming in now, and okra will soon appear in our shares. Peaches have been beautiful, but if you refrigerate them, they can become mealy and the fruit is not as tasty. It is best to use them while you have them--or freeze or can them!

Right now on the farm John and Judy are just "maintaining" everything, as they are really busy now. When CSA is going on, their hands are full, just harvesting, cleaning vegetables, packing the CSA shares and getting them all delivered to the 13 delivery sites. In addition to John and Judy, they have one full time employee, one part time employee, and occasionally their young Grandson

Crop failures this year were carrots and tomatillos. Carrots were planted more than once, but it was poor germination on both occasions. Some type of insect invaded the tomatillos before John and Judy could get them under control using organic methods. They are history unfortunately. Judy had planned to have them for salsa verde this summer, but her plans have now come and gone. Farmers can't expect to win all the insect battles on the farm, but they still try!

The Delicata squash is beautiful this season and so delicious. Just bake, butter and enjoy! Can't be simpler than that! They are good enough that with a dab of honey or maple syrup, you can eat them as dessert!

Recipes
Baba Ganoush
2 medium sized eggplants
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 to 3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Place eggplant on cookie sheet. Bake in 400-degree oven until skin is crinkly. Cool and peel. Place in blender. Add yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth. Season with salt. Serve with corn chips, bagel crisp, pita chips, or toasted rounds.

Peach and Summer Berry Crisp
2 peaches, thinly sliced
1 cup blackberries
1 cup blueberries
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Topping

Put fruit into bowl. Toss with lemon juice. Divide fruit between four ramekin containers. Sprinkle with topping. Press topping lightly down into cup. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until fruit is bubbling and topping is golden. Serve with scoop of favorite ice cream.

Topping
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
In a bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt. Add the pecans, rolled oats, sugar, brown sugar, and butter. Rub together all the ingredients between your fingertips until they are evenly distributed and the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Set aside.