Summer has arrived here in the lower Hudson Valley, and it got off to a rousing start with the Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival at Croton Point Park in Croton-on -Hudson this weekend. If you missed the Festival this year, be sure to bookmark it for the future. Croton Point Park, situated on a large peninsula in the Hudson River, is a great place to visit at any time. Like other Westchester County Parks, it is home to a variety of events throughout the year. In summer it is also a favorite spot from which to launch a boat, swim, camp or hike. Other Westchester County Parks within the Town of Cortlandt are: Blue Mountain Reservation, Croton Gorge Park, and George’s Island. Another summer perennial in the area is the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. The 23rd season is already underway at Boscobel in Garrison with this year’s first selection, “Troilus and Cressida,” but tickets are still available for it and the other 2 plays in this year’s series. Plan to arrive early to tour Boscobel House and Gardens and enjoy a picnic overlooking the Hudson River before the show begins. These are a few of my favorite ways to celebrate summer here in the Hudson Valley. There are many others – from shopping at my local Farmers’ Markets in Croton-on-Hudson and Ossining, to walks along the riverfront, to exploring the art galleries in Peekskill – let me know what favorites of yours I’ve missed so I can add to my list.

Posted by:  Liz Pereira

Here in Westchester, farmers markets have been growing in popularity over the last few years. Taking this concept to a new level is the international concept of “slow food”! I thought at first this perhaps referred to stews or crock pots. But the footnote on the menu before me indicated that all the products were grown or produced within a hundred miles.

Serendipitously, right here in Bedford Hills a new market called Table has recently opened. And its chef, John Pratt has been named “Green Chef of the Year” by Westchester Magazine. Now we have a year round farmers market that’s open 7 days a week! Not only are local fruits and vegetables and cheeses featured, but delicious free range chicken and grass fed beef (now featuring cow number three). Even better, you do not even have to cook to enjoy this bounty. There are a range of prepared foods to take out or you can eat right there, at the one communal Table.

A disclaimer- soon you will be able to get honey from our very own bees at Table (Chapman Farm). And there is promise that eggs will be forthcoming shortly by our happy hens (more about this in another blog). Slow food isn’t just smart; it’s a great hobby in our case, and delicious in every case.

Posted By: Jacqueline Dzaluk

At long last, a red ripe heirloom tomato! The process started over a year ago when I saved some seeds from a wonderful heirloom tomato I bought at the John Jay Farmer’s Market and started plants from their seeds in February. Six months later, the first tomato ripened and I ate it on August 24th. Wow! It was yummy!

In a previous post, I described the process of seed to plants. Here are the results. The tomatoes I put in the raised beds with screening to keep the varmints away grew like a weed, over 8 feet high, then died and did not produce any tomatoes. What a disappointment that was! I think it had more to do with improper amount of sun than anything else. The first tomato believe it or not came from one I planted along the side of the driveway in a flower bed. The plants on the deck in pots have also started to yield some red ones, but I have to protect even the green tomatoes from our Golden Retrievers because think they are balls. I feel lucky to have any tomatoes at all because many of my friends had their tomato plants die due to blight in the Northeast.

My brother recently joined Facebook and I saw a photo of his tomatoes in raised beds with a great trellis and was quite impressed. I wrote on his wall that we had to talk about how he made them. Much to my surprise, he sent me a link to his blog which gives detailed information about his method of growing tomatoes including the construction of raised beds, how he made his trellis and the tips on pruning. Check this out! From his last report, the plants are loaded and almost ready to pick. The harvest is upon us so remember to visit your Farmer’s Market and eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

This time of year, many people visit farmers’ markets and Salinger’s Orchard Farm Market, a short distance off I- 684 & Hardscrabble Road, is definitely one you do not to miss. Unlike your local farmers’ market where vendors bring their crops and products to various locations during the spring and summer months and set up shop, Salinger’s is open all year. Their produce varies from season to season and peaches are being picked now and are in plentiful supply! Salinger’s is also well known for their quality and variety of apples. If you’re not sure which apple to select for baking, making applesauce, or crisp eating, they provide a handy reference guide for you to take and keep in your cookbook. The guide gives you a list of the apple varieties, uses and the approximate dates they are available at the farm, I refer to mine often.

I first learned of Salinger’s Orchard Farm Market after moving to Pound Ridge NY from Oregon when I was searching for orchards that sold fruit by the bushel. I was very glad to find Salinger’s and have been a loyal customer ever since. You can find seasonal fruit, plants and flowers, a large gourmet section with honey, homemade jams, fresh pies, pastries and condiments. The fall is fabulous with beautiful mums, pumpkins, fresh cider and a large variety of apples. I just picked up some fresh vegetables including red ripe tomatoes and a 1/2 bushel of peaches. I made my grandmother’s peach cobbler for my family and the office and everyone thought it was delicious! If you come to any of my Open Houses in the fall, you’ll always find a bowl filled with a variety of fresh apples from Salinger’s for you to eat. Check back soon as I’ll be reviewing another orchard you’ll want to visit. Here is my grandmother’s peach cobbler recipe for you to enjoy as well (click the image for a larger version):

Posted By: Sonja Lovas