Summer bean salad

2 large bell peppers

• 1 poblano pepper or a third bell pepper

• 3 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 pound dried, cooked)

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes

• 1/2 cup chopped red onion

• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 4 tablespoons sherry vinegar

• 2 garlic cloves or 1 large, minced with a teaspoon or two of oregano

• 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped basil

• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh oregano leaves (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano)

• Freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

• 1 to 2 cups radicchio in 1/4-inch ribbons or torn into bite-size pieces

Heat your broiler. Put your peppers on a rimmed baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Set the peppers aside to cool until you can handle them.

In a big bowl, add the beans. When cool enough to handle, break the peppers open over the beans and let the peppers’ juices run out. Pull the charred skin and seeds from the peppers and discard. Sometimes, I find it easiest to give each pepper strip a quick rinse under cool water to remove clinging seeds. Cut the peppers into thin strips and add to the beans along with the onions and tomatoes, plus any more juices that collect. Chop garlic with herbs until finely minced and add to bowl. Drizzle the oil, vinegar, and lemon juice over the salad and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and herbs. Toss to combine everything. Here, you can add ribboned radicchio, as I do, or you can put torn pieces on a plate later and serve the bean salad on top of it. The salad is ready to eat now, but it’s even better after marinating for an hour or two.

Butter Chickpeas

Easy tasty dish that is vegetarian or can be made vegan.

• 4 T unsalted butter

• 1 large yellow onion, minced

• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste

• 4 to 8 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

• 1 T grated fresh ginger

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp sweet paprika or smoked paprika

• 2 tsp garam masala

• 1 small cinnamon stick

• 1.5 lb. tomatoes cored and disced or 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled San Marzano plum tomatoes

• 1 (13.5 to 15 oz) can coconut milk

• 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained

• ground cayenne

• cooked brown or white rice, for serving

• ½ cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, for serving

1. Melt butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. Stir in onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until golden and browned around the edges, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. (Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up to medium-high; keeping the heat on medium ensures even browning without burning the butter.)

3. Stir in garlic and ginger, and cook another 1 minute.

4. Stir in cumin, paprika, garam masala and cinnamon stick, and cook another 30 seconds.

5. Add tomatoes with their juices. Using a large spoon or flat spatula, break up and smash the tomatoes in the pot. Stir into spices and let cook for 10 minutes or so.

6. Stir in coconut milk and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and continuing to mash up the tomatoes if necessary to help them break down.

7. Stir in chickpeas and a pinch of cayenne. Bring the pot back up to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes.

8. Taste and add more salt if necessary.

9. Serve spooned over rice, topped with cilantro, with warm naan and steamed spinach, as desired.

Baked Feta Pasta

2 pints cherry tomatoes or two pounds small tomatoes quartered

4 cloves garlic chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

salt

1 block feta cheese

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

fresh ground peppers

12 oz. pasta such as rigatoni or rotini

fresh basil

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

In a baking dish, combine tomatoes and garlic with 1/4 cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat. Place feta in the middle. Pour the rest of the oil on top. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and black pepper. Bake in oven until tomatoes begin to brown (about 40 minutes)

Meanwhile prepare pasta according to box instructions.

Combine prepared drained pasta with feta mixture and top with chopped basil.

Cavetteli Pasta with tomatoes, summer squash and corn

• 1pound fresh or frozen cavatelli

• 3 teaspoons olive oil

• 2 ears corn, kernels cut from the cob

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

• 1 1/2 cups diced zucchini or summer squash

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• black pepper, to taste

• 3/4 cup homemade marinara sauce

• 6 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, for garnish

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and garlic, and cook until golden and fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook 3 minutes, until the tomatoes soften.

Add the corn and summer squash or zucchini and cook until tender crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the marinara, season with salt and pepper and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, cook the cavatelli according to package directions, reserving some of the water before draining, then toss with the marinara and vegetables.

Add the grated cheese, remaining teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste and cook 1 minute, adding some of the reserved pasta water as needed.

Serve right away with fresh basil and additional grated cheese if desired.

Eggplant and tomato stir fry

I learned this one from Adan Martinez when we were both apprentices here a million years ago. No exact amounts here and it always comes out delicious.

• a couple Asian eggplants, sliced up into 1/4” rounds

• 2 tomatoes chopped

• 1 small onion chopped

• couple cloves garlic chopped

• glug of oil

• soy sauce

• rice wine vinegar

• sesame oil

Pour a tablespoon of oil or so into frying pan on medium heat and add onions and garlic. Fry until translucent.

Add eggplants and fry until they begin to soften and add tomatoes. Cook until all is soft and cooked through. Season to taste with soy sauce and vinegar. Sprinkle with sesame oil and serve over rice.

Curried beans and greens

This is my go to dish for a delicious, healthy and fast dinner. Seriously, it is so quick and really delicious! The recipe calls for chick peas but it really is the most delicious with black eyed peas. Any mix of greens works great in it. Serve it up with rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs. oil, butter or ghee

• 1 1/2 c. chopped onions

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds

• 1 1/2 tbs. curry powder

• 1 tsp. ground ginger

• 1 tsp. ground coriander

• 1 1/2 c. broth

• 3 cups cooked chick peas or black eyed peas

• 1 chopped tomatoes

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 3 c. chopped greens (any combination of kale, collards, mustard, swiss chard, Brussels tops)

Directions:

Heat oil in pan and add onions, garlic and cumin. Cook until softened. Add the greens and cook stirring until softened.
Stir in curry, ginger, and coriander until absorbed. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Add the chickpeas and tomatoes and salt. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.

Credit:

1,000 Vegetarian Recipes by Carol Gelles

The easiest tomato sauce in the whole wide world

Ingredients:
tomatoes, chopped (You can squeeze out some of the excess water and seeds if you like prior to chopping)
olive oil
salt
fresh basil,
parsley, optional
oregano
one onion, chopped
a couple cloves of garlic, chopped

Directions:
Fry up your onions and garlic in a healthy glug of olive oil. When they are translucent, add the tomatoes.
Cook them till softened. Then grind it up with an immersion blender or food processor (don't burn yourself!)
Put the sauce back on the heat and season with herbs, some salt and a grind of pepper. Cook until desired thickness is reached. Correct salt to taste and enjoy!

Tomato Leek Sauce

This recipe is adapted from the Washington Post. It is delicious and versatile. Serve it over any cooked grain (try the barley, wheat berries or triticale from the farm), over potatoes, pasta, fish or chicken for an easy meal. Add a hot pepper for some heat or some fennel or fennel seeds for a change of pace. 

Ingredients:     

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups thinly sliced cleaned leeks (white and light-green parts)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 sprigs thyme

4 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped, plus their juices

1/3 cup sauvignon blanc or other dry white wine

Coarse or flaky sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the leeks, garlic and thyme. Stir to coat, and reduce the heat to medium; cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender but not browned, stirring occasionally.

Add the tomatoes plus their juices and the wine, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed. The mixture will thicken and begin to look like a chunky sauce. 

Discard the thyme sprigs. Taste, and adjust the seasoning before serving or cooling and storing.

Tequilla Braised Corn Salsa

kernels cut from 2 ears of corn
3 tbsp tequilla
1-2 tbsp finely minced hot peppers
2 tbsp finely minced fresh onions
1 finely diced tomato
1 tbsp minced cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a dry skillet over high heat, add corn kernels, and pan-roast them until they brown in spots - ~3-5min. Stir in tequilla, scrape up browned bits in bottom of pan, and boil until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Serve as a snack with chips or a s a topping for grilled meats or fish. Makes 2-4 servings.

Polenta Baked Breakfast

4 eggs (you can find these in the farm shop)
3/4 cup polenta
3 cups of water
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 diced carrot
1/2 diced onion
2 diced garlic cloves
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino
Olive oil, salt and pepper

 Preheat the oven to 375. In a saucepan, saute onion, garlic, and carrot, seasoned with salt and pepper. Once soft, add the sugar and cook for a minute before adding the tomatoes. Let cook while you get the polenta ready. In an oven-proof skillet, boil the water. Slow pour in the polenta while stirring so it doesn’t clump. Cook for 3-4 minutes, and once thick add half the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce on top, and make 4 holes to crack in the 4 eggs. Top with the rest of the cheese. Bake for 7 minutes.

Recipe from Spork Me (sporkme.tumblr.com)

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons sliced black olives 

Preheat oven to 350F

Place spaghetti squash with cut sides down on a greased baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven and set aside to cool. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion until tender. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant,. Stir in tomatoes and cook until warmed through. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.

Tomato Vinaigrette

10 plum tomatoes  Quartered and seeds removed (You can also use fewer slicers.)
Quarter cup salt
1 shallot
1 clove garlic.
half teaspoon pepper
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 cups olive oil

 Place tomatoes and salt in a colander and let sit a few hours or overnight to draw out moisture and acidity. Rinse excess salt from tomatoes. tomatoes. Puree in the blender with remaining ingredients. (We also added basil to the blender, and a very small amount of onion & maybe one slice of onion. You can also add a small amount of garlic.) Strain and chill.

From Colchester Farm CSA Newsletter

Baked Stuffed Zucchini Boats

2 large zucchinis
2-4 cups of cooked rice (I am partial to basmati, it makes it all less "blobby")
1 onion
1 green pepper
1/2 pound of ground meat of your choice
Salt
Tabasco Sauce (or finely chopped hot peppers)
Shredded cheese (I like cheddar with some flavor)
Any vegetables of your choice, such as chickpeas, tomato, corn, mushrooms.
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius)
Wash and halve two large-ish zucchinis. Scoop out the pulp, chop up and set aside. Dab the inside of the zucchini halves with olive oil and bake in the oven while you prepare the stuffing for about 5-10 minutes. I actually put them in while they've is preheating.

Sauté chopped onion in olive oil in a pan, till glassy.
Add chopped meat to cook.
Add chopped peppers, chopped zucchini pulp, and any other veggies you chose till cooked but still not overcooked. Add salt to taste.
Add cooked rice and Tabasco sauce to taste and mix through thoroughly.
Spoon this mixture into the zucchini halves and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, since everything is already cooked, till cheese is melted and browned.

Serve hot (optionally with tomato sauce over it).

And most importantly: enjoy!

While we don't like having zucchini boats, when we do this is a great one from our shareholder Tomma Henckel

Mimi Unstuffed (All Acoustic Stuffed Cabbage)

3 med. onions, chunked and sliced 2/3 lb ground beef Olive oil 3 cups chunked and sliced cabbage.
1 lg can tomatoes with juice.
½ c uncooked brown rice
Water
2/3 cup raisins
2 Tbsp sweetener of your choice.
lemon juice: ½ to 1 whole
2 Tbsp Vinegar
2 Garlic clove(s), minced
2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
Salt and Pepper

 Saute chunked and sliced onions in olive oil till slightly soft. Add ground beef and brown. Add cabbage and tomato ingredient, stirring from time to time. When the cabbage has softened a bit, stir in the cooked brown rice. You may need to addsome water at this point to cover the rice. When it's bubbling, turn down to low cover, and cook until the rice is done. (about 40 min.) Add the remaining ingredients. Cook gently, low or warm, until the raisins are plumped.

This one came from super-farm shareholder Rosie Pearson.

Jodi's Roasted Chicken and Veggie Casserole

Carrots
Celeriac
Onions
Garlic
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Chicken pieces (we like chicken thighs with bone in)
Stewed tomatoes

 In a casserole spread thin layer of olive oil with paper towel. Layer the vegetables (if you use other vegetables , hard root veggies on the bottom and progressively add softer veggies toward the top) Then a layer of Olive oil, with some salt & pepper. Layer the chicken, then stewed tomatoes to cover the chicken. Than another layer of oil, salt & pepper. Cook uncovered at 250-300 for a long time (couple of hours?) It will get that roasted look on top  I think it is impossible to overcook at this temp.

From our shareholder Jen Hyde who says it's a delicious recipe from my friend, Jodi Narahara.

Tomato Sauce

Sauce now, smile later. Buy some tomatoes in bulk. Put them in a big pot and add just a little bit of water. Bring them to a boil and then turn the heat down to simmer (don't let them burn - that's the trick!). After they've cooked for a lot of hours (like, all day) put the whole thing through the Foley Food Mill (to take out the skins, etc). Don't add any onions, peppers, garlic or nothing. Just tomatoes. Put this brew in yogurt containers (leave an inch of head room) and into the freezer. Defrost this winter when you want to be happy.

Tomato Corn Chowder

3 scallions
1 tsp oregano and thyme
4 paste tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup flour
1 cup cream
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1/4 cup parsley

Fresh Brookfield sweet corn and paste tomatoes will make for an especially tasty soup!! Saute scallions with oregano and thyme over medium heat until browned. Add tomatoes, then 4 cups of water. Lower the heat and simmer 30 minutes covered. Mix flour and cream (watch for lumps!) and add to soup. Simmer and add corn kernels, pepper and parsley. Simmer 15 minutes uncovered and enjoy!

Tomato Arugula Sandwiches

bread
tomato
arugula
pesto (can substitute oil and vinegar)
mozzarella cheese (can substitute cheddar)

This is quick, easy, and very delicious - the farm crew's been eating them all week.

Take a slice of bread and spread pesto (see recipe from two weeks ago) on it. Arrange slices of tomatoes, and then arugula on top of the pesto. Top with a slice of cheese and bake in the toaster oven for 3 minutes.

These are very good and you can eat a lot of them if you're not careful!

Tex-Mex Casserole

4 ears fresh corn
1/4 cup butter
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 cup fresh tomatillos, diced
2 Anaheim chiles, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 tsp. fresh oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a very sharp knife, cut the corn from the cobs and set aside. In a large skillet, heat a tablespon of the butter and saute the onions and zucchini for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove. Add another tablespoon of the butter and saute the tomato and tomatillos for 3-5 minutes. Lightly grease a large casserole. Combine all the vegetables together, including chiles; season with oregano, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and dot with the remaining tablespoon of butter.

Bake the casserole, covered with a lid or foil, for 30 minutes. Then run it briefly under the broiler to brwn the top. Serves 4-6

 From: Recipes from a Kitchen Garden

Sundried Cherry Tomatoes

2 to 3 cups cherry tomatoes
knife
medium sized framed screen
warm, dry space (green house, roof, oven)

The most important ingredients are the framed screen to place the cut tomatoes on, and the warm, dry space for them to dry in. Pick ripe tomatoes, de-stem, and wash. Cut in half and put on framed screen. Set in dry space for three to five days