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Recipes

Sweet Potato, Broccoli, and Tomato Stew

Make this tasty, one-pot vegetable stew and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time and with little mess. Put your kids or even your dog on this simple project and go relax—dinner will be served within the hour no matter what. This stew will go well with your favorite corn bread. From Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt On Vegetables

Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 28-ounce can stewed tomatoes
2 cups cooked or canned garbanzo beans, drained
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock or water
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), cubed
1 medium head broccoli, cut into large chunks (about 2 cups)
salt
freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
2. Add the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, stock, and sweet potatoes. Simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes. Add the broccoli, cover, and simmer until the sweet potatoes and broccoli are tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Market News

I think some of our farms have seen more rain in the past two weeks than we’ve seen in some entire recent summers. I’ve heard a few stories of freshly seeded beds getting washed out and collard plants entirely underwater, but all in all, most of our growers came through these rains with little damage. I think the late snowfall we had this spring did more damage, really, collapsing hoophouses and pulling down trees on several farms.

A bit further west, in Carrolton, one of the oldest organic farms in the state became a river bottom for several days. The farm is currently known as “Love is Love Farm” and is operated by Judith Winfrey (the leader of Slow Food Atlanta) and Joe Reynolds, but for over thirty years it was known as the Glover Family Farm, the home of Skip & Cookie Glover. If you’re on Facebook, you can see photos of the flood and its aftermath here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Douglasville-GA/Love-is-Love-Farm/14079829974. We wish them a speedy recovery, but I’ve got to say those pictures look devastating. Farmers used to rely on the annual floods to replenish the fields, but late summer?

The rains and cloudy skies have slowed down the growth of the leafy greens we’re all waiting on. The love the cool nights that are here again, but they love the autumn sun even more ,and we just haven’t seen much of that lately. Soon! Until then, feast on the waning crops of peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. If you’re able, freeze or can some to pull out in February when you’re absolutely craving a ripe tomato or some fried onions & potatoes. And don’t miss out on the winter squash which are now in abundance. Those store well, too, and our growers have some heirloom varieties that are just dynamite in flavor. Certainly unlike anything you can find at the grocery store!

One last reminder: the Georgia Organics “Field of Greens” party is coming up at Whippoorwill Hollow Farm right down the road from Athens in Walnut Grove. This year’s event is shaping up to be the best ever. Participating restaurants, who will be providing free tastings to participants include Rosebud, Leon’s, 5 Seasons, Retaurant Eugene,Woodfire Grill, Parish, Rathbun’s, Valencia, Food 101, 4th & Swift, farm 255, Living Foods Institute — with more pending. A new event this year, the heritage pork cookoff pits Ron Eyester of Rosebud, Dave Larkworthy of 5 Seasons Brewing, and Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill, working with heritage pork raised by three different farms. They’ll also have an organic market onsite where attendees can learn about sustainable living options, and purchase farm products, from 50 vendors. The event is being held on October 4 from 11am – 6pm. Yes, that’s the day after Athens Locally Grown’s “Hunter’s Moon Feast” at my farm, but what better way to spend a weekend? You can find more info about Field of Greens at their special website, http://www.fieldofgreensfestival.com/

Thanks so much for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers, and local food in general. You all are part of what makes Athens such a great area in which to live. We’ll see you on Thursday at the old state market on Broad Street from 4:30 to 8pm!

Coming Events

We still have one more event on the schedule, up at my place: our annual Hunter’s Moon Feast this coming Saturday, October 3rd. Spaces are limited, so be sure to make your free reservations along with your order! Take a look in the “Event Reservations” category for full details on this event.

The Athens Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at Bishop Park from 8am to noon. It’s a totally separate entity from Athens Locally Grown, but you’ll find many of the same growers at both. And of course, you can learn more about that market on their website.

Also, Watkinsville has a thriving farmers market every Saturday morning, behind the Eagle Tavern. And further east, Comer has a nice little market Saturday mornings as well. Several of our growers also sell at the Hocshton
farmers market, also on Saturday mornings. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so!