August Newsletter: Summers Abundance

Summer is still Going Strong

Vincent makes a habit of greeting each seating with a speech about the history of our farm and property. A few months out of the year he jokes that Whidbey Island becomes a Mediterranean island. Figs ripen on our trees. Tomatoes, basil, peppers, eggplant are abundant. (If only we could grow olives!) We could be mistaken for being in Italy. 

In fact, our vision and inspiration of this project was born in a little town in Tuscany called Panzano. Known for its rolling hillsides of olive groves, Panzano is home to family owned farms. These farms make their money by providing lodging and meals. Known as Agritourismo; it's an essential form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner. 

We thought this should be more prevalent in the states, so in 2007 we made a pact to ourselves we would find a small farm that we would grow into a home and a business. That is what the Orchard Kitchen has become. Join us!

At The Table

Last week’s feature: Eggplant

The savory aspect of eggplant is an interesting base to any dish. We made Baba Ganoush, a creamy Middle Eastern dip made from roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic and paired that with the crunchy textures of carrot ribbons, cucumber, radish and caramelized onions. 

Completed Dish

Baba Ghanoush Coriander Sourdough Flatbread, Balsamic Torpedo Onions, Radish, Cucumber, Shaved Carrots & Blistered Shishitos  

Wine Pairing

Brotte, Les Eglantiers Rosé, Tavel, France 2023

A clarity of pink with bright reflections. Flavors of small red fruits (cherry, strawberry) with some white fruit notes (peach). Reveals fresh fruit flavors, strawberry woods and a slight tangy taste, with a clear round, elegance and vivacity. “Les Eglantiers” : A tribute to these rose trees of the Mediterranean region, with colours recalling that of the wine. Their fruit, rich in vitamin C, is used for medicine. Tavel was named ‘the King of rosés’ by Balzac. Only white and red wine may be made in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while in Tavel, only rosé. The vineyard in Tavel is located on the right bank of the Rhône on a plateau at the south-west of Orange.