Summer is winding down but we're not!

Just about everyone is enjoying the cooler, more civilized August temperatures including the livestock at Harlem Valley Homestead.

For years, the farm has been developing silvopasture - a mixed-use land of managed trees and pasture- along the forest edge. And the cows seem to heartily approve.

The summer heat and drought has been rough on wheat growers. Yield is way down. The good news is that flavor concentration is way up as a result. So, if you bake, make sure to pick up some grain from River Valley Community Grain this week! And don’t forget some rolled oats to make a dark plum or blackberry crisp made with old-fashioned rolled oats.

Also in the good news/bad news department, Sofia, of Sofia’s Feast (artisanal pasta and so much more), says her sfogliatrice (dough sheeter) is in the shop getting a tune up, so she will have no ravioli this week. On the bright side, she says, it gives her some time to focus on other fun things that she likes to make, such as her Rosemary Semolina Crackers which are divine with the eggplant caponata she will be bringing to market.

Don't worry if “ravioli or bust” is your pasta jam, La Trafila always has some interesting ravioli on offer. Check out this ravioli preparation on their Instagram.

Summer is winding down and now is the time to invite friends over for some chill time before the hectic start of school. Make it easy on yourself and serve some charcuterie and cheese boards.

Daniel of Larchmont Charcuterie is back from vacation with a whole new batch of traditional French charcuterie, including smoked duck breast and saucisson sec. He’s quite proud of his latest batch of beef saucisson, so give it a try if you typically lean toward the more classic pork variety.

This week we have Painted Goat, Cooperstown Cheese and McGrath Cheese Co. to satisfy all of your fromage wants. Not to mention fresh mozzarella at the Di Riso tent and smoked mozz at Bambino Ravioli. (Don’t forget the aforementioned crackers!) Charlotte’s Home Kitchen is always happy to provide a dessert which will be as painterly as it is delicious.

Don’t let tomato season pass you by without putting up some tomatoes to enjoy on a bitter cold winter’s day. Never canned tomatoes before? Here's a primer from Food52.

This time of year the eggplant in a dizzying assortment of varieties and shades of purple are filling the produce bins. As tempting as they are, I tend to think of eggplant as more of a winter ingredient – perfect for hearty moussakas, eggplant parmigiana and belly-warming ratatouille. So I’m always happy when I stumble on an eggplant recipe perfectly suited for the dog days of summer, like this one from Food and Love, which brings heirloom tomatoes, eggplant and basil together beautifully.

Some of you are lucky enough to be heading out on vacation this week. Pick up a shampoo bar from Ash Hopper Soap and avoid the mess of leaky bottles in your toiletry bag while being kind to our planet. Visiting someone? Grab some local honey from Hudson River Apiaries or some lavender products from Northwinds Lavender Farm as a gift for your hosts.

Before you know it, pruning season will be upon us so make sure your gardening shears are in tip top shape! Ready Set Sharp is back this week and will not return until late September.

See you at the market!