We're having our first fall weather here at Terra Firma, or as I like to call it, "Fauxll". Late August often brings us a respite from the intense heat of summer, but it almost always returns in September -- sometimes with a vengeance. We are taking advantage of the nice weather to plant our 2021-22 strawberry crop. Strawberries are planted as "crowns", a mass of roots with just one or two leafs still attached. [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Garlic, Medium: Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peaches, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Garlic, Carrots Large: Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Garlic, Carrots, [MORE ...]
This recipe features beets roasted in slices, which gives them a meatier, chewier texture. If you prefer beets soft and velvety, you can just steam or boil them first and then peel and slice. Scrub 1 lb. of Beets. Cut into 1/4" thick rounds (no need to peel) and then arrange on a well-oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the beets at 350 degrees until they are lightly browned on the [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Carrots, Onions, Peaches, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Melon, Medium: Beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, Onions, Peaches, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Melon, Large: Beets, Cucumbers, Grapes, Onions, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini, [MORE ...]
I love falafel but as a sandwich in a pita it tends to get very messy very quickly. This recipe keeps the mess contained and lets you really load up on the delicious tahini dressing. I don't use boxed "dry mixes" often, but some of the organic falafel mixes are really tasty and easy to prepare. Mix together 2 C. Falafel mix with 3/4 C. water and let sit for 45 minutes. Make the Dressing [MORE ...]
It's hard not to read the news this week -- Covid resurging, giant fires burning across the west, and a worsening drought -- without a strong sense of deja vu. And without the politicking of last year's presidential election to obscure the lens through which we view the issues, they seem much clearer: humanity is facing multiple crises that it is structurally disadvantaged at solving. Throughout the pandemic, there has been a strong urge [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Cucumbers, Cantaloupe, Nectarines, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Tomatoes Medium: Carrots, Cucumbers, Grapes, Cantaloupe, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes Large: Carrots, Cucumbers, Figs, Orange Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Gypsy [MORE ...]
I was at the gas station in town the other day when one of our neighbors -- a farmer named Bill who grows vegetables that he sells at farmers markets -- approached and asked me "how are your wells holding up?". Turns out that his well has been producing less and less water, and had finally ran dry entirely. I was not surprised, given the historic drought. All over the state, cities, municipalities and [MORE ...]
This vegan recipe makes grilling vegetables easy. Assembling them is a bit of work, but can be done in advance or as a fun kid activity (just make sure the skewers aren't too sharp). The longer you marinate the skewers, the more flavorful they will be. You will need 8 or more skewers to make this recipe. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 C. tamari soy sauce, 2 t. sesame oil, 1 t. black [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Corn, Red Onions, Peaches, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon Medium: Corn, Cucumber, Red Onions, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon Large: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Peaches, [MORE ...]
There's a "boneyard" out behind our farm shop -- the area where we fix tractors and repair machinery. To most people, it looks like a pile of junk, but to a farmer it is pure treasure: piles of metal objects of various shapes and sizes that can be cut and shaped into new uses. On Saturday afternoon I was perusing the boneyard for a particular size piece of metal for a planter I was [MORE ...]
Small: Carrots, Cucumbers, Orange Honeydew, Nectarines, Gypsy Peppers, Tomatoes Medium: Garlic, Orange Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini Large: Carrots, Cucumbers, Garlic, Orange Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini
There are few better ways to use a bunch of juicy, ripe summer tomatoes than this Italian salad using toasted bread to soak up delicious juices. In addition to the dried bread, this recipe includes grilled zucchini which will also soak up the tomato juices. You can also add things like olives, sliced cucumbers, or fresh mozarella. Heat the oven to 300. Heat the grill. Cut a crusty loaf of bread into bite-size cubes [MORE ...]
When we started growing "heirloom tomatoes" at Terra Firma back in the 1990s, we were among a small group of growers seeking a market niche in a landscape of mostly inedible supermarket tomatoes. It was extremely challenging to make a living growing varieties bred by backyard gardeners who were mostly interested in flavor. Most of the heirlooms available back then yielded poorly and were heavily damaged when packed in the same manner as commercial [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Corn Medium: Carrots, Cucumbers, Yellow Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Corn, Watermelon Large: Carrots, Cucumbers, Yellow Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, [MORE ...]
This summer soup recipe is for subscribers who live where it's cold and foggy. Zucchini is a much more versatile vegetable than many people give it credit for. This recipe uses it to achieve a creamy consistency, without any cream. Trim 1 lb. of zucchini. Slice them in half lengthwise, then cut in 1/4" thick half rounds. Finely chop 1 onion to make 1 C. Mince 1 clove of garlic. Core 1 medium sized [MORE ...]
If you live west of the Carquinez Strait, you may have heard rumors about a number of intense heatwaves impacting areas away from the coast. Even normally cool places like Tahoe have been hot, and the Pacific Northwest went through an off-the-charts event that killed hundreds of people and did tremendous ecological damage including massive wildfires. One thing that climate change is revealing is that the areas least prepared for intense heat can no [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Peaches, Heirloom Tomatoes, Watermelon Medium: Carrots, Corn, Red Onions, Peaches, Zucchini, Heirloom Tomatoes, Watermelon Large: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, [MORE ...]
Hummus is a great accompaniment to many of our summer crops, including tomatoes and cucumbers. But, it can be a little dry and dense. This recipe combines Cannellini beans with roasted corn and lime aoili to make a lighter version with a kick. If you don't have a grill you can saute the corn kernels in a little oil before blending. Soak 3 ears of corn (in their husks) in a basin of water [MORE ...]
In last week's newsletter I discussed the complications of getting a particular crop to market for a holiday that creates extra demand for that crop. But holidays, particularly 3-day weekends in the summer, cause all kinds of other problems for farmers who grow fresh produce. Like many other businesses -- stores, amusement parks, restaurants, hotels, etc. -- we are actually busier for the holiday. Our crops don't stop growing and our employees don't get [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Corn, Galia Melon, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes. Medium: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Garlic, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes Large: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Garlic, Yellow Onions, [MORE ...]
About as close to a desert salad as you will find, this recipe adds red onion and spicy arugula to contrast the sweetness of the other ingredients. In the recipe, the corn is roasted but you can also use it raw. Remove the tassels from 2 ears of corn as well as any hanging leaves. Soak for 10 minutes in water. Thinly slice red onion to make 1/2 C. Marinate the onions in 3 [MORE ...]
The week before the Fourth of July is generally one of the busiest weeks of the year for us at Terra Firma Farm. We grow just about all the fruits and vegetables people associate with the Independence Day holiday, especially sweet corn, tomatoes and watermelons. And thanks to our location and its microclimate, we are able to harvest abundant amounts of these items a few days before the holiday. Most other farms north of [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Corn, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Peaches, Heirloom Tomatoes, Watermelon, Green Beans Medium: Corn, Cucumbers, Peaches, Gypsy Peppers, Zucchini, Heirloom Tomatoes, Watermelon, Galia Melon Large: Corn, Cucumbers, [MORE ...]
This is a Tomato-fresh mozarella salad with thinly sliced, marinated and grilled zucchini. Grilling the zucchini in very thin strips increases the amount of surface area, which prevents the squash from steaming inside and getting mushy. When it is done cooking, the texture is both crisp and tender -- balancing out the softness of the tomatoes and cheese. You may be surprised how long the zucchini takes to cook. Use a mandolin or very [MORE ...]
Hiding indoors from the extreme heat this weekend, I watched a documentary entitled "My Octopus Teacher" -- a wonderfully up close look at the daily life of this unique creature. The octopus reminded me a bit of agriculture, its tentacles operating semi-independently of each other but still connected to the ever-adapting body. As the drought in the Western U.S. receives more attention, the number of posts in the media and social media addressing "problem" [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Carrots, Corn, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes Medium: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Nectarines, Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes Large: Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Nectarines, Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, [MORE ...]
Zucchini noodles made with a spiralizer, mandolin, or just a sharp knife are "Zoodles" -- the most exciting thing that has happened to summer squash...ever. Turning Zucchini or other summer squash into noodles and then salting them to remove the water means they don't get mushy when you cook them -- however that may be. Every Zoodle recipe I include in the newsletter has a Z in it where it shouldn't, and you can [MORE ...]
One of the keys to successful fruit and vegetable growing has always been finding good varieties. But "Good" means different things to different farmers. To some, it simply means high-yielding and thus profitable. To others, it means "appealing to consumers": tasty, attractive and user friendly. The farming world is full of produce that achieves one goal but not the other. At Terra Firma we have always striven to find varieties that achieve both. A [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Cucumbers, Peaches, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Valencia Oranges, Garlic Medium: Apricots, Carrots, Cucumbers, Peaches, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Valencia Oranges, Red Beets, Watermelon, Red Onions, Garlic Large: Apricots, Carrots, [MORE ...]
Growing tomatoes takes a combination of good planning, specialized farming techniques, and the right location. But in the end, nature decides whether we'll have a good crop or a bad one, a short or long season, an early or late start. We've raced against approaching storms and finished planting in the rain. Other years, we've had multiple frosts that require late-night intervention to prevent the young plants from freezing. We've had wind storms and [MORE ...]
The smoky tartness of the Apricots pairs perfectly with the sweet Vanilla ice cream and the rich nuttiness of the almond butter. You can grill the apricots or roast them in the oven. Heat a grill or oven to 400. Cut 1 lb. of apricots in halves and remove the pits. Place the fruit cut-side up on a grilling pan (or sheet pan in the oven). Cook the fruit until the skins begin to [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Apricots, Green Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers,Potatoes, Strawberries, Zucchini, Tomatoes Medium: Apricots, Green Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Yellow Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Tomatoes Large: Apricots, Green Beans, Carrots, [MORE ...]
There's never a good time for a heatwave, but the timing of the particular heatwave we're having right now could be worse. If it doesn't last too long and the weather cools back down soon, it could kickstart our summer season into a higher gear without too much of a downside -- a dress rehearsal to get us ready for the main event. With the warm spring we've had, our summer crops have been [MORE ...]
Summer is the time for "composed salads" made with a combination of lightly cooked and raw veggies. In this salad, parboiled green beans are combined with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes and then tossed with a garlicky goat cheese dressing. Remove chevre cheese from the fridge and allow to warm to room temperature. You want the cheese to be completely soft. Cut 1 C. cherry tomatoes in half or the larger ones in quarters. Toss [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Green Beans, Cucumbers, Garlic, Nectarines, Red Onions, Peaches, Zucchini, Medium: Apricots, Green Beans, Carrots, Garlic, Nectarines, Red Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes Large: Apricots, [MORE ...]
Spuds and Zukes pair nicely together when cooked given their complementary textures. The only problem is their different cooking times. You can solve that by parboiling the potatoes first. And salting zucchini before cooking will keep it from turning into mush. You can optionally add Spinach, Kale or Arugula to this recipe following the instructions below. Wash 4-6 new potatoes. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the spuds in the [MORE ...]
Earlier this spring, I mentioned in a newsletter that you would likely see "farm shaming" occurring in the news and social media: attacking farmers in California for their use of water. The shaming has begun.* Every Californian lives in a glass house where water is concerned. Without the vast, costly infrastructure that delivers water from one corner of the state to the other, our state could not support a fraction of the population it [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Lettuces, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Spinach Medium: Carrots, Lettuces, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Spinach, Strawberries, Zucchini Large: Carrots, Dino Kale, Lettuces, Nectarines, Red Onions, Peaches, Peas, [MORE ...]
The first time I visited "the farm that would later become Terra Firma" was early February of 1992. Among the other activities that were happening that day, the crew was planting potatoes: dropping the cut pieces of potato (aka: "seed") in the ground and covering them with soil. It was a warm, sunny and dry day. A few days after I visited, it began to rain and basically didn't stop for the rest of [MORE ...]
This lightly creamy salad highlights the delicate flavor of the New Potatoes. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Wash 6 C. of Arugula leaves and spin dry. Refrigerate until the potatoes are ready. Peel and thinly slice 1 onion to make 1/2 C. Toss with 6 T. lemon juice in a bowl. Rinse 1 lb. of New Potatoes and drop into the water. When the water returns to a boil, lower [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Arugula, Carrots, Lettuces, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Yellow Onions Medium: Arugula, Carrots, Lettuces, Peaches, Potatoes, Zucchini, Strawberries, Mandarins, Yellow Onions Large: Arugula, Carrots, Lettuces, Peaches, Donut [MORE ...]
Make these beets in advance and then toss with lettuce, extra vinagrette, and goat cheese to make a tasty salad. Trim the top ends of 2-3 Gold Beets then scrub well (no need to peel). Place in a shallow baking dish. Combine 2 T. olive oil and 1/4 C. water then pour over the beets. Bake until you can easily pierce with a knife. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Meanwhile, make [MORE ...]
Onions are often described as "Humble", but they are actually sophisticated world traveling gourmands: grown all over the world not for mere sustenance, but rather to make other foods more flavorful and enjoyable. Their ubiquity makes them relatively abundant and affordable thanks to thousands of years of breeding and adaptation by farmers and more recently, plant breeders. Like most food crops, onions are sensitive to the weather and the time of year. They can [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Carrots, Green Garlic, Lettuce, Spinach, Strawberries, Mandarins, Gold Beets Medium: Asparagus, Carrots, Green Garlic, Lettuce, Yellow Onions. Snap Peas, Spinach, Strawberries, Mandarins, Gold Beets Large: [MORE ...]
Summer is ramping up pretty quickly here at Terra Firma. I know this probably comes as a shock for those of you who live within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean, but temperatures since early April have been running 10-15 degrees above average for areas without a coastal influence. It's been very warm, verging on hot. That warm-to-hot weather has been great for our summer crops. Our tomato field looks amazing, and we [MORE ...]
Asparagus season is drawing to a close. If you haven't prepared a shaved Asparagus dish yet this season, maybe now is the time. This is a quick and easy pasta recipe with just a few ingredients. If you have more time and want to do something other than pasta, this preparation also works well for risotto. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook 6 ounces of thin spaghetti noodles until [MORE ...]
Here are your tentative weekly CSA contents! We post these every Monday, but please bear in mind the contents may change slightly, as things are always in flux on the farm. The list that Pablito shares in the Wednesday newsletter is what you will actually receive. Happy eating! Small: Asparagus, Carrots, Lettuce, Fresh Red Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, Strawberries Medium: Asparagus, Carrots, Dino Kale, Lettuce, Fresh Red Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, Spinach, Strawberries, Mandarins [MORE ...]
CSA Manager Eric Yuke got me some goodies from his favorite Asian foods store this weekend: Japchae Sweet Potato Noodles and Gochujang Chile Paste. The naturally gluten-free noodles have a unique texture and flavor that combines perfectly with the bright flavors of spring produce. They are also fast to prepare, meaning this whole meal can be prepared in half an hour or less. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add 1/2 [MORE ...]
Standing in the dry bottom of Lake Mendocino last week, Governor Newsom declared a drought for Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. After the driest winter on record for many areas north of San Francisco, many people are wondering stopped there. Farmers are chief among those wondering, given that many of them around the state have already received notice that they will be receiving limited amounts of water from the state and federal reservoirs this year. [MORE ...]