WELCOME TO RUTIZ FARMS
HAPPENINGS ON FARM:
Beginning this Saturday, March 7, the stand will be open every Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm. I guess if Mother Nature thinks that we have started our springtime, we might as well go along with her and start our "spring" hours. So, for all of you who haven't been able to make it to the stand these past few months on Tuesdays and Fridays, you now have the opportunity to shop with us again on Saturdays.
Daylight savings time begins March 8...so we will start staying open until 6pm on Tuesdays and Fridays beginning the second week in March
Plenty of eggs from our "happy hens" that live cage-free on our farm.
Heather Teixeira will be bring her locally raised beef cuts to our stand this Friday. In addition to her full line up of individual cuts, some of her special packages for this Friday are:
Winter Whopper $100
1 Porterhouse Steak
1 Rib Steak
1 Roast
1 Package Short Ribs
2 lbs. Ground Beef
Winter Wonderland Package $100
1 Sirloin Tip Steak
1 Rib Steak
1 T-Bone Steak
1 Package Stew Meat
1 Roast
1 lb. Ground Beef
Daylight Savings Delight $100
2 Filets
1 Rib Eye Steak
1 New York Steak
1 Rump Roast
1 Package Short Ribs
HARVEST BOX PRICE IS NOW $18
As our input costs have increased over the past few years ( labor to pack the boxes, farm growing expenses and prices that I pay to other farmers for their fruits ) , we have found it to be increasingly difficult to put together a diverse and interesting Harvest Box if we must stay within the old $15 sales price. By raising the price, we should be able to keep a nice assortment of fruits and vegetables in the boxes each week. We will, of course, continue to have nearly all the items offered in each week's box available for purchase a la carte from the farm stand table.
What's in the box this week:
The tomatoes in this week's boxes are being grown by Debbie Chamberlain in the Salton Sea area ( the desert near Palm Springs ). They are outdoor grown, picked fully ripe for great "summertime-like" flavor and pesticide free.
The "Persian" cucumbers come from Ocean Breeze Farms in Nipomo. They are grown using pesticide- free farming practices. . The "Persian" cucumber is unique among cucumbers in that it has a thin skin that doesn't require peeling and has no bitter aftertaste.
This week's green garlic...this is a true garlic plant, just harvested early, before it makes a bulb and dries out.
They are the size of a large scallion and have a sweet and mild garlic flavor. Use them the same as a onion scallion or regular garlic...raw cut up and added to salad, sauteed in a stir-fry with carrots, broccoli, or potatoes... or coat them with a little olive oil and roast them on a bar-b-que or under a broiler. Use the bottom 3 to 4 inches, but not the leaves as they can be a bit tough.
The sprouting baby broccoli is an old fashion variety of broccoli that forms many small side shoots instead of one large main head ( like the broccoli in the supermarkets that may have a big, woody stem and sometimes bitter tasting ). The stems on the sprouting broccoli are small and thin, with a sweet flavor throughout. No need to cut off any portion, use the whole stalk and head in your saute or stir fry.
This week's avocados are the Zutano variety grown by David Righetti of San Luis Obispo. Not quite as rich flavored as the familiar Hass variety, but still very flavorful when fully ripe. Let them sit out on your kitchen counter ( or put them in a paper sack with a ripe banana or apple to quicken the ripening process ) until they are soft, but not overly squishy!
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT OUR STAND FROM OTHER FARMERS AND BUSINESSES:
Kelli ( aka Sweet Pea) has her tasty baked cookies and cakes at the stand each Friday (you can reach her direct at Sweetpeabakeryag.blogspot.com).
Sweet potatoes from Rocky Canyon Farm in Atascadero...certified organic
Juices from Chadmark Farms of Paso Robles...apple and pomegranate cider . All of his juices are "flashed pasteurized" for best flavor and nutrient retention.
Almond Brittle from Paso Almonds of SLO...freshly made each week by Rusty and his crew.
Persian Cucumbers from Ocean Breeze Greenhouse Farm in
Nipomo.
Dates from the Flying Disc Ranch in Cochella Valley, pesticide free
Blueberries from Gary Teixeira of Santa Maria..pesticide free.
Oranges and
Mandarins from Bob Polito of Valley Center, California.
"Artisan" breads from "Little Red Hen" Bakery every Tuesday and Friday
Vine ripened tomatoes from Debbie Chamberlain growing near the Salton Sea and from Jacinto Bautista, grown in his families greenhouse located just east of Arroyo Grande...both growers are pesticide free.
Vegetable and herb starts from The Transitions Mental Health Growing Grounds of Santa Maria...pesticide free!
Fresh fish and canned albacore for sale every Friday. 100% wild caught by San Luis Obispo County commercial fishermen. Or join the Fish CSA and get weekly deliveries; contact Margie at slofreshcatch@gmail.com or 481-5827.
David's Blue Ribbon Honey from Arroyo Grande and honey from Rock Front Ranch
