Carpe Diem!

Well, well, well. Here we are past the midpoint of summer with August rearing its head. And this steamy July we've had practically in the rear view mirror. I’m happy to bid it farewell but not quite ready to say hello to August either. What to do? Carpe Diem, that’s what!

Summer fruit, including tomatoes, are fleeting. So this is your time to  enjoy them and figure out new ways to cook with them and ways to make them last. Jam those plums! Can those heirlooms. Pickle those cukes. Make an apricot tart  and a plum clafoutis and make a point of eating a ripe sweet tomato every day with some beautiful Thai basil from Halal Pastures or some peppery arugula from Thousand Leaf Gardens  or Titusville Farm.

Corn is here (finally!) and you’ve got no time to waste. Enjoy some on the cob of course, but then, free the kernels to make this unctuous  corn chowder, or this corn butter farro.

Wil-Hi Farm is visiting us this Saturday with all things lamb. Throw those cobs on the grill and make these lamb skewers Grab those beautiful red onions from Morgiewicz Produce. And flavorful Mediterranean spread, including tzatzikis from the SAHA GUYS. Any one of their spreads would converge so nicely with your favorite veggie burger from Plantidote, also here this week (yay!). These burgers make a summer weeknight dinner so effortless. Especially with a side serving of grilled zucchini–so many unusual varieties to choose from at Halal. 

Going to a dinner party or bbq this weekend? Impress your host by bringing a box of sophisticated “global” cookies from Butter+Bow. Dinner for two? Treat yourself to a mini plum or peach upside-down cake from Elderberry Rd. And, if you shy away from gluten, Mayfield Farm Bakery is here with delicious desserts just for you.

Dress your dining room table with head-turning sunflowers from Thousand Leaf Gardens. Their bouquets were so massive last week, they easily filled two large vases. Buy yourself a bunch and then share it with a friend who could use a floral ray of sunshine right now. Or just flood your house with them!

If you’re pressed for time this week, a stop at L’Escargot Voyageur for some prepared meals, like Poulet à la Tahitienne, or Poulet à la Catalane. Both delicious and great value. For vegan soups/salads, hit up Soupernatural.

Going to a summer wedding or housewarming party? Consider a cutting/charcuterie board from Sound Design Woodworking popping in as a guest vendor this week. Joe’s work is really beautiful. Check out this video Story of Sound Designs from his studio.

We want to thank all of you for your generous donations to the food pantry last Saturday. Our gleaning basket was literally overflowing. And thanks to the shoppers who found cash on the ground and opted to donate it to the food pantry if nobody claimed it by day’s end. Our shoppers are, truly,  the best.