June Pesto

from Orfordville subscriber and CSA share packing party volunteer Erica Jones

Dear Erica started out with husband Eric splitting a subscription with another couple. They gradually learned to love eating and cooking fresh, local produce. For several years now, they’ve bought two subscriptions from Scotch Hill, eating one and canning/preserving the other share. They also frequent farmers markets. Can’t get enough of a good thing! Erica shared this recipe over snacks (fresh vegetables, wine and Dela’s cream cheese, of course) following this week’s packing party at Scotch Hill. Take one half cup of toasted walnuts, ¼ c olive oil, ½ bag of chard (or any leafy green), ¾ bag of Asian Greens, 1 bunch of turnip tops or radish tops, 1 or 2 garlic scapes, ½ a 3-oz goat cheese, 1/8 cup parmesan, lemon juice to taste, salt and pepper to taste. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve on pasta. You can also add pickled vegetables OR fresh radishes or turnips. Serve hot or cold.

Tomato Bread Casserole

Cut ½ lb. loaf French bread, sliced  into cubes 1 inch by 1 inch, and melt 3 Tb. Butter. Combine bread and butter and toss together. Bake at 350 for 7 minutes. Place ½ the baked bread cubes in bottom of 7-by-13-inch baking dish. Top bread with layer of 2 lbs. of fresh thinly sliced tomatoes and follow with layer of 1 cup low fat ricotta or goat cheese. Mix ¼ cup olive oil; ½ teaspoon oregano; 2 cloves garlic, minced; and ¾ tsp seasoning salt and evenly pour over layer of tomatoes and cheese. Repeat layering of tomato and cheese. Top with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes covered. Uncover and bake 7 more minutes to brown the top. Enjoy!