SAVORING SUMMER SALADS
Hello Chimacum Corner Community!
It’s really fun to meet someone out on the Produce Porch that has never been to the Farmstand, nor have they researched it at all. Especially in peak local abundance time (i.e. now), they are consistently blown away by the quality of the fruit and vegetables. Sometimes it is easy to get desensitized to how special our food producers are when you are handling the goods day in and day out. Fresh eyes keep us in gratitude to be out here on the Peninsula. It is officially hot crop summer time, and Wednesdays are a seemingly neverending rodeo of cucumbers, basil, tomatoes, melons, and blueberries. Did you know that the word “salad” comes from the Latin salata, meaning “salted things”? It was common in Rome to brine vegetables, and then also to oil, vinegar, and salt them. “Salata” slid to “salade” in older French, which was then picked up in English. The French have a corollary to our English adage of “an apple a day”: they say, “petite salade, jamais malade,” or, “a little salad (everyday), never sick.” I love the concision of the phrase - four words, yet still maintaining an end rhyme for mnemonic purposes. I for one feel much better when I am consistent on my salad making/eating. So keep it healthy, keep it local, and may ye ever remain in your “salad days.”
Hot Crops
Cool Vibes
By this point in the year, the hoophouses and greenhouses all over JeffCo are getting rather steamy.
image courtesy of Roxanne Hudson
The first substantial flows of slicing tomatoes have made their way to the tables at Farmers Market and the shelves at Chimacum Corner. Did you know August 3 is the beginning of National Farmers Market week? Support the JCFM and all that they hold for small businesses this coming week by showing up and hitting the booths at market hard these next two weeks. Farmers really rely on the solid sales of July / August / September to get them through the other nine decidedly leaner months of the year. And with so many hot crops available at this point in the season, what’s not to love? We support and highlight farms in our store that vend at our local markets. We are proud to carry Stellar J mixed cherry tomatoes (and blueberries!), Spring Rain english cucumbers and heirloom tomatoes, Midori Farm mini cucumbers and basil, Red Dog Farm salad mix and arugula, and many, many more! It’s time for the “caprese and slay” segment of this magical ‘25 summer. To welcome the caprese season in, we are delighted to feature some softneck garlic braids of exquisite construction from local legend Steve Habersetzer of Oatsplanter Farm. Dig into all the local salad fixings you can possibly handle at the Farmstand today!
Case Deals!
We are due for a substantial re-load on Tonnemaker Hill Farm fruit this weekend (Sunday delivery). In addition to a reload on yellow (freestone!) peaches and apricots, Luke will be adding to the fray yellow & white nectarines, yellow & white donut peaches (!), Shiro and Santa Rosa plums, and Harrow Gold and Sunrise European Pears! It’s enough to make your head spin! Come on down to see what’s available in cases, as it is a day-by-day development. We still have cases of pickling cucumbers and Hermistons as well!
Sweet Italian Sausage & Pepper Pasta
Needing a heartier holder for all these hot crops? Look no further than local pasta wizards Local Goods Pasta, from Orcas Island. Whether you are more of a Pappardelle gal or a Kale Radiatori ripper, there is a shape for every palate. These local pastas provide a solid base for all manner of delectable entrees. In this case, a little riff on sausage and peppers, featuring the local lineup of One Straw Ranch Sweet Italian Sausage, Stellar J Cherry Tomatoes, SpringRain Basil, Red Dog Arugula, topped with Ferndale Farmstead Parmesan. Tossed amongst Local-Goods Turmeric & Black Pepper Campanelle. Truly, a “mamma mia” moment.
Last Call for Fall Hauls
The window of opportunity is closing for getting in your Fall transplants so that they have enough time to size up for autumnal harvest. Our Nursery “plug-tenders” are signalling last call on all Midori fall/winter succession plant starts and greens. Midori has had another great run this year, from March to August, supplying our county with starts of a quality so high, that people come from the other side of the Salish to secure some. Of course, if you are doing right by your garden, it is also time to start putting down some cover crop seed for plots that are spent or don’t have any more plans for annual production this season. The Nursery team has made a helpful and informative display of all things cover crop right in front of the register out in the greenhouse. Depending on your soil health needs, there is an appropriate crop for you, whether clover, rye, buckwheat, daikon radish, or beyond.
Sundried Breakfast Pie
Hanni in the Corner Kitchen has rolled out a new Sundried Tomato Quiche! This is for those tomato-holics out there who want to sneak some nightshades into their most-important-meal du jour. Flaky delectable crust, fresh egg, and sundried tomato for brightness and tang, this one is sure to lift any spirits, even on a grey August day. Pairs well with a fresh pint of blueberries and cup of Sunrise drip coffee. Come snag a tin soon!
Heartstoppin’ Salad Toppin’s
We have some select INFRA deals that pair impeccably with a salad siesta on a hot summer’s day. The Primal Kitchen Dressing suite have significant price reductions. These excellent salad additions are crying out to adorn local cucumbers, head lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, et al. A particular fave from the Primal dressings is the Cilantro Lime with Avocado Oil base!
Deals through August 12
Jefferson County Fair 2025
This weekend is our local offering of that most iconic of American summer gatherings, the County Fair!
The 88th Annual Jefferson County Fair guarantees to be an adventure - come explore! As a tradition-oriented county fair, our purpose is to provide county residents and guests of all ages the opportunity to gather together for the recognition of those individuals and families willing to share their accomplishments in livestock, agriculture, home and fine arts, crafts and industry, and organizations which provide education, environmental stewardship and public service.
Located at 4907 Landes St. in Port Townsend, the fair is excited to bring you a schedule packed full of entertainment and activities for the whole family! Plenty of exhibits, vendors, entertainment & delicious food to enjoy!
“I’m gonna keep well, my vegetables
cart off and sell, my vegetables
I love you most of all
my favorite vege-table”
