Produce Guide:

1) Savoy Cabbage Head

2) Chiogga Beets

3) Winter Savory

4) Blueberries

5) Marketmore Cucumbers

6) Frisée (Curly Endive)

7) Zucchini / Summer Squash

8) Live Oak Farm Greens Mix

Friends of the Farm-

Happy Friday and welcome back to another week of Live Oak Farm CSA...

With the July 4th holiday in the rearview mirror, we celebrate Summer's peak with more great produce coming into form. Tomatoes and peppers are shortly behind, but this week we introduce summer squash / zucchini and more blueberries.

This week you are tasting a well represented mix of Southern Highbush varieties - Patriot, Emerald, Star and Toro. It seems that last week's warmer temperatures have now pushed all varieties into ripening. With 170 pounds harvested last week, we'll keep picking and look forward to bringing this seasonal treat to CSA, our farm stand (open daily at 1030 Lohrman Ln Petaluma), and the Thursday night Occidental Farmers Market in the weeks ahead.

(No joke, picking that many blueberries sure makes one hungry for some pancakes...)

For our recipe this week we put that big zucchini to work in the season's first Zucchini Bread. Great for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack, this edition stays moist and plays to tradition. We welcome you to get wild with additions of walnuts, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, or any other remix on this classic.

We also recommend turning your Winter Savory herb bouquet into a proper smash cocktail. Farmer Will has been loving this herb muddled with bourbon or whiskey, or as an integral aromatic component to grilled fish when accompanied with fresh citrus.

Lastly, we welcome you to enjoy our weekly music playlist.

My celebrated musical discovery this week has been a deeper dive into Dr. John's 2012 album release, Locked Down. Produced by Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys). The album has no skips and really picks up in its second half with favorite tracks such as Eleggua, Ice Age, You Lie, and Kingdom of Izzness. The title track, Locked Down gives you a taste on this week's playlist and a full listen is strongly encouraged. Complimented by Dan Auerbach's own Cherrybomb, a few Summery reggae / dub tunes, as well as Creedence Clearwater Revival (Poterville, 1968), and some Stanley Brothers bluegrass to take with you to the Russian River or the Sonoma Coast this weekend. Enjoy!

All our best from the farm,

Tom & William and Live Oak Farm team

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

2 Cups AP Flour

1.5 Cups Sugar

2 t Baking Soda

1 T Cinnamon

1 T Vanilla

1 t Salt

3 large Eggs

2 Cups grated / shredded Zucchini

3/4 Cup vegetable oil

* 1.5 Cups Walnuts, chopped * (optional)

Method:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350F and prepping two 8x4 loaf pans lined with parchment paper. In a medium bowl combine sugar, cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.

In another large bowl beat your eggs, and add oil, vanilla, and grated zucchini. Mix well. Add your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients and mix to combine.

*Add walnuts or any other inclusions at this stage.

Slowly pour mix evenly across your two loaf pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a tester toothpick comes out clean, ensuring the center is fully cooked.

Remove from oven and cool in the loaf pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to continue to cool until ready to serve.

Slice & serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or pad of butter.

Enjoy!

LIVE OAK FARM at the Farmer's Market...

A reminder that you can now find farmers Tom & William each Thursday night at the Occidental Community Farmer's Market!

The market runs seasonally through October 28, 2023.

Market starts at 4pm and runs till 8pm / dusk.

Family-friendly with produce, live music, food vendors, and community fun.

Come say hello and support our farm and other local vendors each Thursday night.

Link here for market website, to view details and participating vendors.

Save the dates!

If you've attended these dinners in the past you know how much fun a night at the farm is highlighted by hyper-seasonal produce and the creativity of guest chefs. We're proud to announce two new dinners that highlight local culinary programs from restaurants here in Sonoma County, Street Social and Bloom (Petaluma & Sonoma, respectively). We can't wait to share our farm's summer harvest with our guests as well as raise a glass in community with some really great wine partners by way of Darling Wines and Kivelstadt Cellars as well.

Tickets are available to our September 23rd farm dinner with partners, Street Social & Darling Wines!

Follow the link here to Eventbrite to secure your seat now, or click the banner below.

August 5th dinner tickets releasing in the week ahead!

Reminder - We Recycle! 

We encourage you to return your CSA boxes to your pick-up location, or leave cartons, boxes, and other farm CSA reusables at your doorstep for exchange on Friday delivery days. A big thank you to the many of you that already participate in our recycling efforts!

We thank all those who have recently joined us in this practice as well. Your recycling efforts are noticed & appreciated! Thank you!