Cool mornings, warm vibes

August 28, 2026

This morning I stepped, shoeless, onto the sun porch with my cup of coffee and my dog at my heels and had to immediately turn around to put some socks on.

The cool air was a bit of a shock. Not unwelcome, just unexpected.

Especially given the peak summer bounty at the market right now. The tomatoes — cherry, heirloom, slicing —  show no sign of dwindling. Nor do summer squash have any intention of making way to their winter counterparts. Corn is still piled high and peaches, donut, white and yellow, are clinging on. (See what I did, there?).

Carpe olera! (seize your vegetables!)

I never tire of recipes for zucchini because it is so abundant and flavorful, when done right. This week, one of my favorite chefs, Yotam Ottolenghi, writes about his new love-affair with oft-under-appreciated squash in the NYT, and he offers up this recipe for  baked chicken and zucchini with a basil, caper vinaigrette. His trick to crank up the umami on the squash is to tuck it under the chicken legs so that it becomes jammy in the roasting. I’m already planning my next dinner party around this dish. Head straight to Letterbox Farm or R&M Farm for your poultry.

Of course, zucchini and pasta have always made for good pan partners. This recipe for spaghetti aglio olio zucchini pasta elevates this classing pairing just enough to keep it simple, yet guest-worthy. La Trafila can steer you with your choice of pasta if spaghetti's not your jam.

I have a  friend in Ossining who makes the best Mapo tofu ever. So I was particularly intrigued by this Mapo eggplant recipe which I’m eager to try this week. There are so many varieties of beautiful eggplant on offer at the market right now. This would be so delicious with some seared tuna or salmon from Pura Vida Fishery and a side cucumber salad.

Mama Hu’s is in the house for those of you who prefer that someone else prepare your healthy fish-forward dinners.

For lunch at the market to enjoy at one of our colorful café tables while listening to Julia Corbalis, you have so many options this week: Dough Nation Pizza Truck is here, as is Mel’s Pierogis. We're also happy to have Villa Emilia Empanadas. Have you gotten to know the personalities behind those flaky, savory pockets? Daniella and Rubén, married not so long ago, are both from Argentina, love nature and traveling, and lead busy lives outside of the empanada business. Daniela works with children with hearing impairments, and Rubén is a professional musician. Stop and say “hola” and pick up one of their hearty mushroom or spicy chicken empanadas. While you’re there, check out their traditional handmade Argentine gaucho knives. Each knife comes with its own leather pouch.They make great presents.

And if you are in the market for a special gift, pop into ceramicist Chloe Sikirica’s tent on Saturday. Her color scheme is ever changing and always knocks my socks off. This week, she's into brown, which seems to be the “it” color of the year. Buy one of her cool platters and gift it with a bag of crispy Heathcote Bakery cookies.

See you at the market!