Friends of the Farm-
Happy Friday!
Putting aside the age-old Tomato as a fruit versus vegetable debate, we can all agree that this week's CSA produce box is flush with fruit. Gravenstein Apples delivered in time for this weekend's namesake Apple Fair in Sebastopol, Purple Heart Pluots, Albion Strawberries, and yes, Cherry / Heirloom Tomatoes are all here this week. Not to pick favorites of our farm's veggie and fruit "children", but the Purple Heart Pluots have been my favorite stone fruit to be picked yet this season. The flesh is super soft and juicy inside. These should be ready to eat or cook with right out of the box.
This week's recipe comes with inspiration from one of our very own CSA families who shared their love of turning our fruit and herbs into drinks at their American Canyon home. We love how aromatic the Anise Hyssop is and how gently it can add nuance to a simple cocktail. See below for our Strawberry Anise Hyssop Gin & Tonic recipe. Quite refreshing with the heatwave ahead.
Lastly, we welcome you to enjoy our weekly music playlist.
Heavy in this week's rotation was Madrill's 1973 album, Just Outside of Town. From it we've taken our playlist's lead track, Two Sisters of Mystery and a later, slower track She Ain't Lookin' Too Tough. Born in Panama and raised in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, brothers Lou, Carlos, and Ric Wilson make the horn & funk heavy Afro-Caribbean music that carries a deep groove. Electronic music's early days are also represented in this week's mix with Silver Apples' Ruby and Gil Trythall's cover of Foggy Mountain Breakdown on the MOOG synthesizer. Both are unique for leaning on banjo or influences of country / bluegrass music. We had some fun with this one. Enjoy all this and more!
All our best from the farm,
Tom & William and Live Oak Farm team
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