Variety

A lot of folks have been asking what exactly a Cherokee Purple tomato is so I thought I would share a brief description. It was chosen for our gardens because of its superior flavor.
Heirloom from Tennessee cultivated by Native American Cherokee tribe. Very productive plants producing loads of dusky rose to purple colored, 12 oz.-1 lb., beefsteak tomatoes with deep red colors to the interior flesh and dark shoulders. A very popular market variety because of it's rich, complex and sweet flavors. One of the best tasting heirloom tomatoes.

Also,there's been a bit of talk at work about stuffed pepper soup so I thought I'd give it a go this past weekend.I used Rachael Ray's recipe (included below) and substituted three Cherokee Purple tomatoes for one can crushed tomatoes. I now know what all of the talk was about -- even my doubting ten year old exclaimed at how good it tasted!

If you have a recipe for stuffed pepper soup please share it with us. We'd love to try it!

• Rachael Ray’s Stuffed Pepper Soup•
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef sirloin
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice (eyeball it)
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large onion, cut into bite-size dice
• 3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-size dice
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn
• Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table
PREPARATION
Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with the EVOO. When the EVOO is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper and allspice. Brown the meat for 5 minutes then add garlic, onion, peppers and bay leaf and cook for 7-8 minutes, until tender.
Stir in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat. Fold in basil.

Serve in shallow bowls with grated cheese.


Market News:

Tomatoes:
Fresh picked: $2.00 a lb.
Bushel: $40.00
u-pick: N/A

Green and Red Bell Peppers:
Fresh picked: .75 each
Bushel: $18.00
u-pick: N/A

Green Beans:
Back to school special!
Fresh picked: $1.00 a lb.
u-pick: .50 a lb.

*Don't forget fall hours beginning Tuesday, August 25th are 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.