While the fields at Crooked Pines Farm may be dormant for the winter, our kitchens are anything but. Our farm family has been busy crafting nourishing, from-scratch recipes to warm both body and soul. From hearty soups and savory pies to luscious seasonal desserts, we’re excited to share some of our favorite farmhouse-inspired dishes showcasing the very best of Crooked Pines’ produce.
Seasonal Produce
Spring Bounty
As the earth awakens from its slumber, our fields burst forth with an abundance of crisp greens, tender herbs, and the season’s first delicate blooms. One of our go-to springtime recipes is a refreshing Sorrel Soup. This bright green elixir captures the fleeting essence of the season, balancing the lemony tang of sorrel with the earthy sweetness of our farm-fresh potatoes and onions. Finished with a drizzle of cold-pressed Crooked Pines sunflower oil and a scattering of edible flowers, it’s a true taste of spring.
Summer Splendor
The height of summer brings a colorful riot of produce, from heirloom tomatoes in every shade to the sweetest, juiciest berries. One of our family’s favorite ways to showcase this bounty is in a classic Tomato Pie. We layer slices of our prized Cherokee Purple and Brandywine tomatoes between flaky, buttery crusts, finished with a sprinkling of fragrant basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Served warm from the oven, it’s the perfect centerpiece for an alfresco gathering.
Autumn Harvest
As the days grow crisp and the leaves begin to turn, we turn to the hearty produce of autumn. A farmhouse favorite is our Pumpkin Spice Cake, made with our own roasted pumpkin purée and infused with a warming blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting and a generous handful of toasted pecans, it’s a cozy, comforting treat.
Crooked Pines Produce
Heirloom Tomatoes
At the heart of many of our recipes are the vibrant, flavor-packed heirloom tomatoes we grow on our farm. From the deep burgundy Black Krim to the sunny Yellow Brandywine, each variety brings its own unique profile, from subtle sweetness to bright, acidic notes. We love to showcase these beauties in simple preparations that allow their natural goodness to shine.
Heritage Apples
Another Crooked Pines specialty is our orchard of heritage apple trees. Come autumn, we eagerly await the arrival of Golden Russet, Ashmead’s Kernel, and Bramley’s Seedling apples, among others. These old-fashioned varieties lend themselves perfectly to traditional farmhouse baking, like our signature Apple Cider Donuts and Maple-Walnut Apple Pie.
Organic Greens
Wholesome, nutrient-dense greens are the foundation of many of our dishes. Whether it’s our Kale Caesar Salad, featuring the robust leaves of our Lacinato and Red Russian kale varieties, or a vibrant Spinach Quiche showcasing the tender, mild-flavored leaves from our Bloomsdale and Olympia plants, these greens pack a powerful nutritional punch.
Rustic Recipes
Hearty Soups
When the temperatures dip, nothing satisfies like a steaming bowl of homemade soup. Our Roasted Butternut Squash Soup utilizes the natural sweetness of our farm-grown squash, amplified by the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. For a heartier option, try our Beef and Barley Stew, simmered low and slow with tender grass-fed beef, earthy mushrooms, and our own barley crop.
Savory Pies
Flaky pastry crusts filled with the bounty of the season – what could be more quintessentially farmhouse than that? In addition to our beloved Tomato Pie, we also adore our Spinach and Feta Phyllo Pie, layering crisp phyllo dough with sautéed spinach, tangy feta, and a sprinkle of dill.
Sweet Desserts
Of course, no farmhouse feast would be complete without a tempting selection of homemade sweets. Alongside our Pumpkin Spice Cake, we also love to serve slices of our signature Apple Crumble Tart, showcasing our prized orchard apples beneath a buttery streusel topping. And for a truly decadent treat, our Chocolate Beet Cake marries the earthy sweetness of our garden beets with rich, fudgy chocolate.
Culinary Inspiration
Farm-to-Table Dining
At Crooked Pines, we believe that the best meals start with the finest, freshest ingredients. That’s why we’re committed to a farm-to-table philosophy, crafting our dishes using only the seasonal bounty from our own fields and orchards. Whether you’re joining us for one of our monthly family-style suppers or picking up a jar of our homemade tomato jam at the farmstand, you can taste the difference that hyper-local, sustainable sourcing makes.
Preserving the Harvest
Of course, the fruits (and veggies) of our labor can’t be enjoyed year-round without a little preservation know-how. That’s why we dedicate time each season to canning, pickling, and fermenting our surplus produce. From zesty dill pickles and tangy sauerkraut to sweet blackberry preserves and savory tomato chutney, these pantry staples allow us to savor the flavors of every season, no matter the calendar.
Sustainable Sourcing
In addition to our own farm bounty, we also work closely with a network of local producers, artisans, and small-scale suppliers to source the highest quality ingredients for our recipes. Whether it’s the rich, creamy milk from the herd down the road or the fragrant beeswax from our neighboring apiary, we take pride in supporting our community’s sustainable food systems.
So, the next time you’re craving a taste of the farm, we invite you to step into our Crooked Pines kitchen. With produce-forward recipes that celebrate the rhythms of the seasons, we’re serving up the best of what our land has to offer. After all, the most cherished recipes are the ones that tell the story of the soil, the hands that tended it, and the hearts that nourished it.
