WELCOME TO RUTIZ FARMS
Slim pickings on our farm right now...the recent rainy and cold winter has really slowed the growth of most of our crops. We are fortunate to have a great network of like minded growers around the area that we can count on to supplement our offerings at the farm stand. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, we will have more to harvest in our fields.
You may ask...what's going on with the strawberry crop this year? We have been picking the field for several weeks, but discarding all the fruit because of damage from the weather.
Hopefully in the next week or two, the quality will improve so we can offer them at the stand. Our old strawberry variety that we've been growing for 13 years ( Galante ) is no longer available from the plant nursery, so we are trying 5 new varieties for this season...hopefully we'll find a replacement that will be as good or even better than Galante!
Representatives from the University of California's Master Food Preserver Program of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties will be available at the farm stand this Friday from noon-5pm to provide information about their Spring Community classes and answer your home food preservation questions.
THE NEW TIMES MAGAZINE---BEST OF SLO COUNTY 2017 CONTEST
It's that time of year again. We know it's time consuming but come on people, help our SMALL STAND beat THE BIG BOYS! You can vote online, or pick up a paper and mail in your ballot. We greatly appreciate your loyalty and support!
Vote for Rutiz Farms under the category of "Getting Goods", 92). Best Farm/ Produce Stand.
And if we win, we'll have a party!
This Friday at the stand
Teixeira Ranch beef.
Little Red Hen bread.
Kacey Cakes gluten free treats.
Larry Kandarian's ancient grains, herbs and spices,
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:
kale, salad mix, carrots and potatoes .
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 apples are organically grown by Cuyama Orchards .
The kiwis are grown pesticide free by Mallard Lake Ranch in Nipomo.
The Mandarins are pesticide free from Friend's Ranch in Ojai.
How about a nice fresh kale salad using the bunch of
Tuscano kale in your box this week. First, gently massage the leaves with your hands for a minute to make them a bit more tender. Then cut up the leaves into thin "ribbons" discarding the thicker portion of the stem. Mix in a bowl with some vinaigrette dressing and chopped nuts and fruits and finish with some Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top..delicious and good for you! Or how about some "kale chips"...wash and separate the leafy part from the stem ( discard the thicker stems ), cut up the leaves into smaller portions, add a little olive oil and seasonings, put on a roasting pan and roast in a hot oven until the leaves are crispy.
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.
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.
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.