7.21.2014

Scenes From Dinner In The Field At Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.

Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.

On July 10, guests gathered at Volante Farms for their first Dinner in the Field of 2014. Below are scenes from the dinner, with dishes prepared by chef Todd Heberlein and staff using farm-grown produce.


Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.

Menu at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.

Herbed water at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Herbed water made with cucumber, lemon, and numerous herbs including lavender, Thai basil, and pineapple sage

Beet gnocchi at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Beet gnocchi with garlic and beet puree, sauteed beet greens, arugula microgreens, and goat cheese sauce

Dueling bacons at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Dueling bacons: pork bacon on a mini Stone & Skillet English muffin with pineapple sage jelly, a dandelion leaf, and pickled rhubarb versus lamb belly bacon on a house-made pita with carrot hummus and tzatziki

Mixed lettuces at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Mixed lettuces paired with herb vinaigrette

Roasted broccoli and cauliflower salad at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Roasted broccoli and cauliflower salad with warm Dijon-anchovy dressing

Salad course at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Thai-inspired salad with pickled vegetables

Roasted chicken with chard, white beans, and fennel at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Roasted chicken thighs with fennel, cannellini beans, and Swiss chard

Fresh pasta with English pea and garlic scape pesto at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Fresh pasta from Sweet Basil with English pea and garlic scape pesto and romano and wax beans

Beer-braised brats at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Beer-braised brats with cabbage, potatoes, rye bread crumbs, and spicy beer mustard

Dark chocolate zucchini cake with cherries at Dinner in the Field at Volante Farms, Needham, Mass.
Dark chocolate zucchini cake with cherries and ganache and candied zucchini

With farm-grown produce and ingredients sourced from local vendors weaved into creative dishes, a gorgeous farm setting, and conversations shared with friendly table mates, dinner at Volante Farms was delicious and enjoyable -- a perfect way to spend a summer evening.

For more on this and other farm dinners in the area, read my articles in The Boston Globe (Globe West, Globe North, Globe South).

Have you been to a farm dinner?