It seems like someone or something just flicked the switch and fall has arrived. With the cooler temperatures using your oven becomes a possibility again. Roasted fall vegetables are a nice change from the summer saute. And salads are becoming heartier using greens like kale and mustards. You will be eating more plums, apples and pears this time of year (although we do have a few Bradford watermelons still left in the fields if you are interested). Fall is a special time of year at Rumar Farm. We are starting to see an end to many of our main summer crops and the start of our late season produce. We have mixed feelings about seeing the final weeks of “the summer of 2020”. It has been an interesting year so far….and it isn’t over yet.
Here is what you can expect this week:
Paula Red Apples These dusty red coloured apples are an early sweet variety for fresh eating. With it’s pinkish white flesh, they also make an attractive apple sauce that requires little or no sugar. You may also want to consider making apple butter with them. We make ours in a crock pot, its really fast and easy.
Tender Lettuce Mix All washed and ready to eat.
Jalapeno Peppers We hope you will get creative so you can use all of them. Outside of just chopping them up and using on eggs, stews and soups, you may also consider freezing, pickling or canning them. One favourate recipe of ours is candied jalapenos. Sweet and spicy and incredibly addictive. You can can them or just make up a jar and keep them in the fridge to use on burgers or on a pickle tray.
Sweet Mama Winter Squash Sweet yellow flesh and nutty flavour. Perfect for roasting or make a soup flavoured with apples (see above), maple syrup and cream. So good.
Canning Tomato Do you know you can freeze whole tomatoes in bags to use later in the winter? If you are sick of looking at tomatoes and just don’t have the energy to get creative, throw them in bags and into the freezer, no blanching needed. However should you have some time you have just enough in your share for a nice batch of tomato bisque. I’d easily put this soup into my top 3 favourites ever. Goes great with gourmet grilled cheese for a special fall lunch or light supper.
Baby Kale Smaller more tender leaves for a hearty winter salad with nuts and apples. A great healthy snack for the kids are kale chips. Pre-heat the oven to 350, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and remove leaves from thick stems and tear in bite sized pieces. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt about 10-15 minutes.
Lavender The fragrance from lavender is believed to help promote calmness and wellness. Let lavender infuse your favorite desserts and drinks with the smell of summer.
Enjoy
