What’s In the box?

notes on the box.

Cosmic wheel creamery cheese shares.

This week I’m sending our soft-ripened cheese (like a brie or camembert) called First Snow. It’s called first snow because I started making it late in the fall when we got our first snows of the season and the cows were at the end of their lactation. At that point the milk is perfect for this type of cheese. High in fat and then the ripening would be done right around Thanksgiving- Christmas. I next made it in the early spring when the cows were eating just hay and there was usually snow on the ground at that point, too.. That worked out pretty well also. I’ve tried to make this cheese so many times during the warmer summer months, but it had never worked out. It usually turned into hard little pucks that never developed the mold on the outside needed for ripening. It was very frustrating! I always felt pretty crummy feeding cheese that I spent a long time making and trying to age to our pigs when it failed. So I’m really pleased to have this work out! It’s lovely and buttery and flavorful. I credit the success with the learning that I was able to do at Westminster Artisan Cheesemaking in Vermont earlier this year.
It might still be firm in the center, but it’s ready to eat! Or you can let it age in your fridge for another week or two if you like it softer and more pungent. I prefer it at this stage smeared onto a good baguette and paired with some jam or cured meats. You can also make a super indulgent grilled cheese with it. I hope you enjoy it! I have another round ripening, if it turns out that may come your way as well.

Recipes.

Vegan Stir-Fry Cabbage in Peanut Sauce

Tangy Buttered Beets and and Beet Greens with Dijon

Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad with Dill

On the farm.

If you feel like going out for a drive, we are having an open farm tour day that several other area farms are participating in. Since the Eat Local Coop Farm Tour isn’t happening this season, we wanted to make sure folks still have a chance to connect with some land and some local growers. Josh and I (Rama) will be at farmers markets during the farm tour, but Otto and Sadie will be here to give tours and our farm store will be open for you to check out. More info and the map of participating farms is below. Let us know if you have any questions!

Another chance to see the farm will be July 30 for our next Sunday Sundaes Ice Cream Social. At the farm from 1-4.