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Inside The New York Botanical Garden

This Week at the Greenmarket: July Harvests

Posted in Programs and Events on July 2 2013, by Matt Newman

GreenmarketPotatoes for mashing, strawberries for snacking, carrots for crunching, garlic for…well, anything you can feasibly put it in shy of ice cream. We’re into week three of the Greenmarket this Wednesday, and things are only ramping up (except the actual ramps—those oniony wonders are more of an April thing) as the summer matures. Last week saw a big focus on summer squash, and while we’re likely to see more of that this week, the start of July traditionally sounds the trumpet for a bunch of other harvests—whether they’re beginning or ending.

Cherries are commonly a July thing, but we’ve been seeing them for a couple of weeks now, so plan to pick up a few hefty handfuls while you’re here. This month also marks the beginning of the fresh potato harvest at large, and the tail end of outdoor-grown rhubarb in our area. Peppers and tomatoes will be coming into vogue from here on out, along with blueberries, peaches, plums, and raspberries, so err on the side of caution and think about bringing your big produce bag in the coming weeks. It’ll be one of your better decisions.

Oh, and keep in mind this is just a tentative schedule—with the weather as unpredictable as it’s been over the last year, the harvests rarely have a cut and dry beginning or end. We just do our best to predict. I’ve got another recipe from the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden for you, so head below for that, and we’ll see you at the Greenmarket tomorrow!

The NYBG Greenmarket runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through November 27, with free short-term parking for Greenmarket shoppers and—as on every Wednesday—free Grounds Admission for visitors. The market accepts food stamps, EBT, WIC/FMNP, and Senior coupons, in addition to cash and credit or debit cards. Learn how to use EBT, WIC and FMNP at the Greenmarket.

Greenmarket

Thyme Pesto with Lemons & Spinach on Toast

Serves 6 slices

Ingredients

  • 2 cups baby spinach, cleaned and torn into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup fresh thyme leaves (stems removed)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup olive oil plus more for brushing
  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche
  • 2 teaspoons minced preserved lemon
  • 6 thick slices of good Italian country bread

Instructions

In a food processor, combine the spinach, thyme, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and salt. Process until the ingredients are roughly chopped. With the processor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until you have a chunky pesto. Set aside. (This will make more pesto than needed; the rest can be kept refrigerated for about a week and used in other dishes like pasta, chicken, and fish.)

In a small bowl, combine crème fraiche and preserved lemon. Allow to stand in the refrigerator for about a half hour for the flavors to combine.

Heat the grill. Lightly brush each slice of bread with olive oil on both sides. Grill the slices a minute or two per side until they are crusty and have charred grill marks but are still soft in the middle.

Spread each slice of bread with the pesto, and top with a generous smear of preserved lemon cream. Enjoy!