Along a rural stretch of road in Salisbury sits a magical place called Pettengill Farm where summertime celebrations are well underway. The 222-year-old piece of land recently played host to its first “Pasture to Plate” dinner party arranged by Justin and Liana Webb. The sold-out event took full advantage of the pastoral setting—a long flower-studded table nestled into a nursery courtyard seated nearly 30 guests who were surrounded by bright green and blood red foliage, fat rose shrubs in full bloom, and all the colors and textures that make garden-gazing such a pleasure.
Small details like napkins rolled with bachelor’s buttons and sprigs of thyme, and fresh cucumbers floating in pitchers of icy water set the tone for the bounty to come. Featuring ingredients from Anna Rosa’s, Atlantic Salt Works, Wolf Meadow Farm, Red Fire Farm, Brookford Farm, Cider Hill Farm, Heron Pond Farm, and The Herb Pharmacy, chef/owner of The Wooden Spoon Catering Company, Krisztina Perron, assembled a menu that included fresh bread with herb butter, blue cheese and bacon deviled eggs, a garden-fresh salad with feta cheese and mint poppy seed vinaigrette, tarragon chicken stuffed crepes with artichoke sauce, herb-roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus bundles, and the most delightful little mason jar full of honey cheesecake with strawberry sauce.
Guy Moxey, owner of Parker River Winery in Boxford, was on hand genially pouring glasses of wine made from his small vineyard’s varietals. Particularly popular was his unoaked Chardonnay of which only one bottle remained at the end of the evening. So, of course, we bought it!
All told, it was an honorable tribute to the season, our regional growers, and the kinship of breaking bread on a summer evening with new friends.
On the heels of this thoughtful event came the ever-popular annual Vintage Bazaar. Over 130 vendors spread out over farm fields to share their wares with the droves of people in attendance. Antiques, repurposed items, artisan crafts, wholesome fare, acoustic talent, and fine weather made for a wonderful way to spend the day.
There were pepper vinegar samples to sip, homemade soaps to smell, jewelry to try on, a “Men’s Room” to browse, old tools to handle, and all manner of collectibles to sort through. It was a vintage mix-and-match bash! And, of course, in the middle of it all was the respite nursery that makes Pettengill Farm such an enchanting place to visit. www.pettengillfarm.com