I have had a bad case of “make hay while the sun shines.” I haven’t put away anything from the farm yet, but maybe some of you have frozen some broccoli or this and that from your weekly shares. I confess, what I’ve been after this past week is raspberries, cherries, a hill full of Juneberries and beach time! So much to do, so little time!

Such is summer. Summers always seem so rushed and full in the north, because we all know winter comes so soon. Many years summers rush by and it seems there is little time for rest, or reading in a hammock. For farmers this is especially true. Perhaps insulated hammocks for winter would be nice for farmers…?

For all of us, this summer has such a different feel with weekends free from weddings, grad parties or family reunions. Bitter sweet- to have some free time to stay in-town, but for such a sad reason.

In the spirit of the shortness of summer, I will leave you there. My baby is anxious to be outside (he also wanted to include “AAAAAAS” to share with you all, which I told him didn’t fit with the rest of the newsletter, but that’s the mind of a one year old for you).

I hope you all enjoy the mid-summer offerings this week, and the lovely weather too.

For the farm crew,

Karin

In your share this week:

Basil – Red Cabbage – Carrots – Cucumber – Kale – Snap Peas  – Tomatoes! Just a few now, but more to come…

Kale Peanut Salad

from the Leek and the Carrot

1-1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, divided
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pound kale, ribs removed and very thinly sliced
1 cucumber, seeded and sliced
4 scallions, trimmed
3 radishes, thinly sliced

1. In a food processor, combine 3/4 cup peanuts, oil, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and red pepper flakes. Process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
2. In a large bowl, combine kale with the dressing, using half at first, tasting and adding more as you like. I often use the full amount for a pound of kale but you may not want to.
3. Top with scallion, radish and remaining 1/2 cup nuts. Serve right away or store for 2-3 days in your fridge. The kale can stand up to being dressed in advance.

Red Cabbage date and feta salad

From The Smitten Kitchen

1 to 1 1/4 pounds red cabbage (1 small head or half of a large one), sliced very thin
3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice (I use lime)
Salt and red pepper flakes (I used the mild Aleppo variety) to taste
About 1/2 cup pitted dates, coarsely chopped or sliced
4 ounces feta, crumbled into chunks
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons well-toasted sesame seeds

Toss cabbage with olive oil and first tablespoons of lime juice, plus salt and pepper, coating leaves evenly. Taste and add more lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. I do this a few times, making sure I really get this base well seasoned because it will be hard to do it as well later.

Toss dressed cabbage gently with half of dates and feta. Sprinkle with remaining dates, then feta, then parsley and sesame seeds. Dig in.

Do ahead: The whole salad can sit assembled for at least an hour, if not longer in the fridge. Mine is going strong on the second day. You can also prepare the parts separately (feta, chopped dates, sliced cabbage) to assemble right before serving, if you’re planning ahead for Thanksgiving or a dinner party.