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Fort Hill Farm


fresh * local * organic


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FARM NEWS ~ August 11, 2026



Late summer is here, that time when you feel September is right around the corner, but it’s still plenty hot. Crops continue to grow well, as do the weeds. We have spent a lot of time picking blueberries instead of weeding the crops, and it’s beginning to show.  Blueberries will only be available pick your own, and this will be the last week, with better picking early rather than later in the week.  Be sure to pick only firm ones, and plan to eat, freeze, or jam them within 5 days of getting them home.  

The Herb Girls, bunching cilantro: Keila, me, and Julia H. (Faye is behind the camera.)

 

The harvest continues to roll in with the field pepper and eggplant crops starting up, the high tunnel tomatoes in full gear, flowers reaching peak prettiness, and a good crop of corn.  Well, whatever corn the blackbirds haven’t destroyed is very good.  We have all the heirloom Red Torpedo onions and Ailsa Craig sweet onions out of the field and will bring in the storage crop to cure soon.  Garlic is dried down and has made a wonderful crop; feel free to stock up as it will hold well in your kitchen for several months. 

 

Aiden peacefully harvests lettuce behind a wall of sunflowers.

 

This time of year can be hard for the farm crew because the work is still piling up, but we are saying farewell to a great bunch of young folks who have helped us plant, water, weed, harvest, and pack the crops this summer.  They generally arrive during peak craziness in late May and help us get through the busiest part of the season.  We really appreciate their efforts!


We hope you enjoy the farm and the harvest,


Paul, Rebecca, and the Fort Hill Farm crew

Featured this week:


Red Gold potatoes:  This early spud kicks off our potato harvest and satisfies our growing yen for potato salad. They are light red potatoes with a hint of yellow in the flesh, and we find them to be more delicious than the more common Yukon Gold. Stores for at least a month in a dark, dry place at room temperature. See the recipe below. Do not refrigerate spuds!

 

Two Herbs:

Parsley:  indispensable in the kitchen, you might choose the curly or Italian flat leaf.  After an amazing spring crop, we are hoping the rains don't compromise our fall crop. See recipe below, or check out Paul's own secret recipe for linguini and clam sauce on www.forthillfarm.com, click Recipes tab, Fresh Herbs, then hover over Parsley.


Cilantro: Love it or hate it, we have had cilantro available every week since the first week of May! Faye sows it religiously every two weeks, and Matt or I flame weed it just before germination to kill weeds that would overtake the delicate herb; then, of course, we still have to hand weed it. Cilantro adds that uniquely fresh and zesty flavor to salads, slaws, stir fries, soups (and just about everything if you love it).

 

Also available:


Sweet Corn

Edamame

German Extra Hardy garlic

zucchini

zephyr and patty pan squash (limited)

Asian cucumbers (limited)

Slicing cucumbers

carrots

head lettuce

salad mix

pea shoots (as available)

curly and lacinato kale

rainbow chard

red radish

French Breakfast radish

Baby bok choy

basil

cilantro

dill

parsley, Italian and curly

oregano, sage, thyme, and chives

Tendersweet cabbage (limited)

red cabbage

sprouting broccoli/broccolini

red beets

chioggia beets

scallions

radicchio

red and Sungold cherry tomatoes (Sungolds on SALE!)

slicing heirloom and beefsteak tomatoes (Heirlooms on SALE!)

Cipollini onions

Ailsa Craig fresh onions

Red Torpedo fresh onions

garlic scapes

watermelon (limited)

cantaloupe (limited)

green bell peppers

mixed eggplant (limited)

sweet Italian peppers (limited)

orange snacking peppers (limited)

shishito peppers (limited)

jalapeño peppers (limited)

Coming soon:

blue gold potatoes


Pick Your Own:


Blueberries: Still blueberries left and plenty good for jam and deserts. For fresh eating, be sure to pick only firm berries. Likely the last week. PYO into QUARTS, $12 each or 4 or more $10 each!


Sunflowers: Don't forget the sunflowers! Sold by the stem: small $.75 and large $1.


Flowers: The patch is in full swing. Pick your own bouquets; please pick up a bunching ring at the barn for bouquet sizing.


Perennial Herbs: Chives, Oregano, Sage, and Thyme. Please use the Herb rings for the bunch size.


Recipes:

Suggested by Rebecca Batchie

– Not into this particular recipe? For more recipes arranged by crop, check out the Fort Hill Farm Recipe Database.


Oven-Roasted Crispy Smashed New Potatoes

These crispy smashed potatoes are oven-roasted, rustic, and crispy on the outside with a soft interior. Made with new potatoes, olive oil and sea salt. They are insanely easy, addictive, vegan and gluten-free.


Author Hannah Sunderani


Ingredients

1 tsp sea salt

1.5 lb baby potatoes

2 tbsp olive oil, more if desired

pinch flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

1 batch chimichurri sauce (optional for drizzling - highly recommend! recipe follows)


Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F/200C, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Bring a large pot of water with the salt to a boil and add the baby potatoes. Boil until the potatoes are cooked through, 20 mins. Drain and transfer to the baking sheet.


Smash each potato with a fork (thinner = crispier, fatter = fluffier) and drizzle with 2 to 3 tbsp of olive oil. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt. Bake for 40 to 45 mins, or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown. 

Transfer smashed potatoes to a serving plate and drizzle with chimichurri, if using. Or serve with dipping sauce of choice.


Notes

The more you smash to flatten the potatoes, the crispier they will be. If you want them really crispy than give them a good smash. If you want a more fluffy interior, then only smash to flatten slightly.




Salad5-minute Chimichurri Sauce with fresh parsley

Author Hannah Sunderani


Ingredients

1 cup parsley leaves tightly packed

1/3 cup olive oil

1.5 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic very finely chopped

2 tbsp red onion very finely chopped

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt

pinch chili flakes

pinch ground pepper


Instructions

Chop the parsley leaves until very finely chopped. Then add the chopped parsley to a small bowl with the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, onion, oregano, sea salt, chili flakes and pepper. Place to the side.

You can also find us at the

Westport Farmers' Market

 Thursdays* from 10 AM - 2 PM 

50 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT


We will not be attending the New Milford this season, but you can come see us at the farm on Saturdays from 8 - 12:30.


FARMSTAND SUMMER SCHEDULE:


Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 2 - 6:30 PM

Saturday: 8 am - 12:30 pm


A few notes about coming to the farm:


  • Please do not bring pets to the farm, as there is no shade in the parking lot.
  • Drive slowly and carefully while at the farm; watch for pedestrians, vehicles, and tractors.

See our Visiting page for details.

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