(Here's the scoop: this is my second season belonging to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture---basically I pay a farm upfront for a share of their season's harvest). Every week from now until October, I'll drive to my farm's pick-up spot and get my share of whatever is in season. When I remember, I'll take a photo of the week's bounty, tell you what I got and what I did with it. Hope you enjoy this ongoing project).
Week One: The Beginning
The interesting thing about a CSA is that it really opens your eyes to the seasonality of food. Like green leafy things? Well you are in luck right now. Love peas? Then, when they appear, eat them fast because they won't last long. Items come and go throughout the season, reminding me of a day when people learned to live without fresh tomatoes most of the year (wait, we DO live without fresh tomatoes most of the year).
So, this is Week One. And what do you see? Green Leafy Things!
Pictured are (clockwise from top left): Green Kale, Arugula, Turnip, Radishes, Pak Choi, Mixed Greens, Collard Greens.
I was thrilled for the arugula. Scared of the collard greens. And, really have no idea what to do with the turnips and radishes. Oy, they never go away, if memory serves me correctly.
The Recipes
Tuesday night, I got home from pickup after 4pm. By the time I finished photographing and storing the vegetables, it was time to make dinner. I needed something quick, so I made a Martha Stewart recipe called Green Orzo which used up the arugula. It has a light taste (blanching takes away the sharpness of the arugula which is good for kids), is pretty and, oh yeah, fast. I also threw some shrimp on the grill.
Verdict? Oldest tried the orzo, didn't love it; Middle ate it up; Youngest just looked at it*.
Wednesday, I used up my kale to make my favorite. soup. ever. One of the best things is that it is a "30-Minute Meal", meaning I can finish it in about 45 minutes. I also made some pasta & oil for the kids since I already know that soup is not their thing. Verdict? Oldest tried it and didn't love it; Middle LOVED it; Youngest just looked at it.
For Thursday, I had seen a recipe in Bon Appetit that looked good and would use up TWO of my vegetables. It is called Sesame Soba Noodles with Cucumber, Bok Choy (Pak Choi is in the same family) and Mixed Greens. Unfortunately, I didn't read the fine print (or the recipe) since it called for baby bok choy and salad greens, not random mixed greens you are supposed to cook before serving. However, I plunged forward and made the dish anyway and it was pretty good. It has a peanut butter base which I figured the kids would kind of like. I also grilled some chicken breast to throw on top. Verdict? Oldest and middle ate a bit, youngest poked at it with his fork and ate the chicken.
Last night (Friday) was pizza night (my night off from cooking), and tonight we're at a birthday party (more pizza!). I still have a load of greens, turnips, radishes and collards to use up by Tuesday's next pickup. Any suggestions?
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* Going forward, expect to see this type of reaction to almost everything. My middle (age 5) will eat almost anything you put in front of her; my youngest (age 3 1/2), almost nothing. My oldest (age 7) will try things when pressed but is still pretty picky.
HI,
I'm a friend of Shannon's. She gave me a link to your blog because she knew I'd be interested in your CSA post. We're on our 6th or 7th year on ours and I plan to give updates, too. I am going to try your yummy soup recipe. Kale is also great for making or adding to smoothies. We love it! I have a great turnip recipe, too, which I plan on adding to my blog soon. You can also mash turnips like you would w/ mashed potatoes- even combine them w/ sweet potatoes. The greens are also very nutritious.
I love farm shares!!
Posted by: Melissa | June 07, 2008 at 03:09 PM
The trick to the Soba noodles is to eat them cold. At least that is how they serve them here.
I would love to join a farm co-op. To get what is in season, and that almost makes you change up meal time. Here we eat the same 3 things lol
Posted by: SabrinaT | June 07, 2008 at 03:56 PM
My culinary skills are unworthy.
Posted by: AlphaDogMa | June 07, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I'm in a CSA too, first time this year. Simply chowed down on the radishes, after slicing thinly, with a bit of dressing. Made a rgeat hors d'oeuvre. And the lettuce was delish, but the arugula threw me. Next time -- possibly next week!? -- I'll be more prepared. Also I shoulda left the rhubarb for the giveaway to someone who would use it; I had big plans but didn't get to it in time. Good thing I split a share with another family, otherwise it'd have been bigger carnage. Glad I found you, love the Orzo idea!
Posted by: janny226 | June 08, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Only I would get "hors d'oeuvre" right and miss the typo in "great."
Posted by: janny226 | June 08, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Don't be afraid of the collard greens. I never ate one until I moved to Atlanta, now I adore them and got a nice haul from my CSA this week. Here's how to make them nice and smoky, but still vegetarian: Get a big pot. Add 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 cup water. Add a 1/2 tsp. salt and 3/4 tsp. SMOKED Spanish Paprika. This is the magic ingredient! Chop your collards, discard tough bottom stems, add to pot, cover and simmer in the liquid for at least 45 minutes. I think you will really love the deep and tangy flavor. And if you're lucky, you will have what southerners call "Pot Likker" (the liquid at the bottom) to dunk your cornbread into.
Posted by: Nina | June 12, 2008 at 02:29 PM