WELCOME TO RUTIZ FARMS
Rain forecasted for this week again ( if it's Friday, it must be raining )....at least it seems that way for the last few weeks!
Not that I am complaining. We will be open on Friday and Saturday...but please check our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rutiz.farms ) in case we get flooded out and have to close early.
This Friday at the stand
Teixeira Ranch beef.
Little Red Hen bread ( she will have bread on Friday, but no bread next Tuesday, Feb. 23).
Kacey Cakes gluten free treats.
Central Coast Catch will only be offering fish for her CSF members..no retail sales for the winter. Contact Jo for more info on her CFS ( 2cccatch@gmail.com ).
What's in this week's Box
Grown on our farm using organic farming methods:
scallions, asparagus, spinach, carrots, potatoes and baby broccoli.
The cucumbers are greenhouse grown in Nipomo by Ocean Breeze Farms...pesticide free.
The avocados come from Mallard Lake Ranch in Nipomo...pesticide free.
The blueberries come from Gary Teixeira in Orcutt..pesticide free.
This week's
Zutano avocados are the "winter" variety that is available locally this time of the year. Put them on your kitchen counter to ripen...about 7 days...until they are soft to the touch. If you want to assure a quicker ripening...put the avocado in a paper bag with a apple or ripe banana. The Zutano has a nice flavor and texture when allowed to fully ripen...just not quite as flavorful as the Hass variety.
Use the
baby spinach to make a spinach salad...be sure to wash it thoroughly ( a salad spinner works well ) to remove any sand!
Lightly steam the
asparagus...don't overcook...keep them a bit crispy for best enjoyment. These are a special treat, as we only harvest our asparagus for a short few weeks in the late winter.
The "Persian"
cucumbers come from Ocean Breeze Farms in Nipomo. They are grown using pesticide- free farming practices. . The "Persian" cucumber is unique among cucumbers in that it has a thin skin that doesn't require peeling and has no bitter aftertaste.
The "Sierra Gold"
potatoes are great for baking, roasting, mashing or frying. No need to peel off the outer skin, just scrub off the dirt and cook with the skins left on ( much of the nutrients in a potato are in the skins!). They have a nice sweet taste and a yellow, creamy insides.
A quick word about the
baby broccoli in this week's box...we are starting to see some aphids ( little grey bugs ) that are hiding in the broccoli heads. If you happen to see any, turn the broccoli head upside down and run a strong stream of water on the head...this should wash them out. Just one of the "bonuses" of not using pesticides. When the broccoli is cooked, you won't notice them anyway...just some added protein!
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT OUR STAND FROM OTHER FARMERS AND BUSINESSES:
Chanterelle mushrooms harvested by Louie Mello on his ranch in See Canyon.
Kiwis and avocados from Bob Criswell of Mallard Lake Ranch in Nipomo.
Medjool Dates from Christina and Robert at the Flying Disc Ranch located in Coachella Valley ( near Palm Springs ).
"Artisan" breads from "Little Red Hen" Bakery every Tuesday and Friday
Goat cheeses from Drake Farms in Southern California...apricot and honey, jalapeno, herbs de Provence, and garlic and onion flavors.
Heather and John Teixeira bring their locally raised beef cuts to our stand every 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Sarah and Ryan from Beewench Farms brings her frozen chickens every 2nd and 4th Friday.
Chadmark Farms of Paso Robles brings us 100% pure apple cider, pomegranate juice, pomegranate cider
Almond Brittle from Paso Almonds of SLO...freshly made each week by Rusty and his crew.
Citrus from Friend's Ranch in Ojai and Bob Polito in San Diego County....pesticide free.
Apples from Cuyama Orchards...certified organic.
Vegetable and herb starts from The Transitions Mental Health Growing Grounds of Santa Maria...pesticide free!
Grass fed ground beef from Springville Ranch.
