Summer is almost over, but crops like corn and tomatoes remain in full swing on Concord farms. Here's our rundown of what you can find on local farmstands this week: It's High Time for Corn and Tomatoes Blueberry season has passed, but two of the most popular crops out there — corn and tomatoes — are prevalent all over local farmstands. At Hutchins Farm on Monument Street, farm manager Brian Cramer hopes to pick tomatoes and corn until October, though the length of the season depends a bit on the weather. "If it doesn't freeze we'll certainly be picking them through September and into October…

Aaron Bowers does not simply eat a pie, like one traditionally eats a pie. Chewing, breathing, swallowing — all of these actions take time. But Bowers doesn't have that kind of time. At least not when he's competing to be the first to, using no utensils except his face, finish an 8-inch blueberry pie at the Verrill Farm pie-eating contest. The Arlington resident has held the title the past four years. "You have to breathe sometimes, or you'll pass out," Bowers said. "But minimizing chewing and breathing is the key. It's a matter of being willing to push your body out of its comfort zone of …

In our special video edition of "On the Farm," Chef Ben Elliott teaches us a fresh take on a classic summer ingredient ubiquitous on farms in Concord and Lexington — zucchini. Here, he demonstrates a quick and delicious way to utilize zucchini from his own backyard in the kitchen, by shredding the summer squash, molding it into patties, and pan-frying it. Elliott, who has nearly 20 years of professional cooking experience in Boston and San Francisco, has recently been restoring his family-owned Saltbox Farm at 54 Westford Road. Besides farming, Elliott operates his own catering business, and …

Blueberry Pancakes and Pie-Eating at Verrill Last Saturday, Verrill Farm on Wheeler Road hosted its annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast. The weather cleared up just in time for the 9 a.m start, and below sunny skies the folks at Verrill served up pancakes all morning, made with blueberries from nearby Meadow Brook Orchards. "It went well, but it literally did not clear up until right when the breakfast was starting," Verrill farmstand manager Barbara Hoefer said. Hoefer and the rest of the Verrill staff started cooking and flipping a couple hours before the breakfast started, so they'd have …

In Week 4 of our "On the Farm" series, we take a look at what's going on at some local farmstands. Blueberries at Hutchins Blueberry season is finally here and the folks at Hutchins Farm on Monument Street are picking the popular berries all week. Blueberry season should last until mid-August, Hutchins farm manager Brian Cramer said. Berry lovers should call the farm in advance to make sure that the berries are ripe enough for Hutchins to be picking that day. If so, blueberries should hit the farmstand at around noon. Pick them up quick before they sell out! And while you're at Hutchins, …

In Week 3 of our "On the Farm" series, here's what's going on on a few Concord farms this week: Fresh Vegetable Ragout Recipe from Nancy Marshall: At Marshall Farm on Harrington Avenue, as with every farm in the area, more and more summer vegetables are starting to come into season. Marshall has summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce and strawberries among other items in stock, while Hutchins Farm on Monument Street has a good supply of arugula, broccoli and kale and Verrill Farm on Wheeler Road has swiss chard, rhubarb and kohrabi at its farmstand, among various other produce. Looking …

In Week 2 of our "On the Farm" series, here's what's going on on a few Concord farms this week: Deli Sandwiches at Verrill Verrill Farm on Wheeler Road has a deli at its farmstand that is open daily throughout the summer, but that doesn't mean this week isn't the perfect time to try Verrill's renowned turkey panini ($5.95). To make this sandwich,  dextrous deli supervisor Mario Fingers skillfully applies honey mustard, brie and a thin slice of green apple to multigrain bread, before adding Verrill's house-roasted herb turkey, and melting the whole thing in a panini press. The herb "…

Concord's many local farms are a huge part of what makes this town so unique. Starting today and for the rest of the summer,  every Tuesday afternoon Patch will be "On the Farm" with a rundown of what's in season at various local farmstands. Don't see your favorite farm on here? Let us know in the comment section. Strawberry Week at Verrill The next few weeks are the apex of what Verrill Farm co-owner Joan Verrill calls "a very short strawberry season," but this farmstand at 11 Wheeler Road has your strawberry cravings covered, with quarts of hand-picked berries on sale for $5.99. For more …