What’s in your box for week 18

In the Standard Box:

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Collards   1 bu
Triticale Flour   2 lbs
Red Cabbage   1 hd
Cilantro   1 bu
Broccoli   3 lbs
Baby Leeks   2
Rainbow Chard   1 bu
Carrots   3 lb
Potatoes   2 lb

 

 

In the Small Box:

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Collards   1 bu
Triticale Flour   2 lb
Cilantro   1 bu
Broccoli   3 lb
Baby Leeks   2
Rainbow Chard   1 bu
Carrots   2 lb

Rainbow Chard

Chard is closely related to beets. Like its cousin, it consists of two edible parts: its meaty dark-green leaves and its large, flat, celery-like stems or ribs, which can be cooked and served like asparagus. Young chard leaves are tender enough to eat raw, or they can be briefly steamed or blanched and used in most preparations that call for spinach. Rich, earthy, slightly salty, and yet bitter, chard makes a delicious, nutritious addition to soups, salads, quiches, and stir-fries.

Chard is one of nature’s nutritional powerhouses—it’s an outstanding source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and dietary fiber, all for only 35 calories per cup. Research studies have found that its phytonutrients, particularly anthocyanins and carotenoids, may significantly reduce one’s risk of colon cancer.

Chard stems are delicious when braised in broth or other flavored cooking liquid for 20 to 25 minutes; the leaves can be added during the last 10 minutes.

Chard with Raisins and Almonds

¼ cup slivered almonds
2 pounds rainbow chard (or use red-stemmed chard)
½ cup water
½ cup apple juice
½ cup raisins
2 tablespoons butter

In a pan or using your oven broiler, toast the almonds. Wash the chard, but do not dry it. Cut the leaves away from the stems, stack several of them in a neat pile, and roll the leaves up like a cigar. Slice crosswise. Then cut the stems into ½-inch pieces.

In a large pan, cook the chard stems in the water for about 4 minutes; add the leaves and cook until they turn tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the apple juice and raisins, heating them thoroughly.

Top the chard with the butter and almonds, and toss lightly. Serve at once.

— Ruth Charles, Featherstone Farm CSA member, as appears in Bounty from the Box: The CSA Farm Cookbook, by Mi Ae Lipe

Got Carrots?

  • Carrots can be roasted or even barbecued.
  • Make a savory pudding using cooked carrots, chicken stock, butter, milk, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne, and rice.
  • Carrots, of course, are exceptional for juicing. They contain a lot of natural sugar, so be careful if pairing carrots with apple and beet juices to avoid overly sweet concoctions—and massive sugar highs.
  • Like potatoes, carrots are the workhorses of the kitchen. Add them to soups, stews, casseroles, steaks, roasts, and a wide variety of other dishes for color, flavor, and nutrients.
  • Raw carrots julienned in salads are a delight.
  • Carrots are one of the traditional fillings for pasties, those little baked pastry shells filled with beef, potatoes, onions, turnips, or rutabagas.
  • Carrot cake is a perennial favorite; use finely shredded carrots with cinnamon, mace, lemon peel, raisins, and chopped nuts.
  • Pickled carrots can be quite an unexpected treat. Pickle with dill, mustard, and peppercorns.
  • Along with celery and onion, carrots are one of the key ingredients in France’s mirepoix, a flavoring base for all respectable soups and many other dishes. Finely chop all three vegetables, and use twice as much onion as carrot and celery.
  • Sometimes the simplest of vegetable dishes are the best. Braise whole baby vegetables like carrots, turnips, fennel, and pearl onions in butter, along with chicken stock, chervil, dill, and fresh shelled peas.
  • Culinarily, carrots have a huge affinity for other members of their plant family. Cook them with dill, cumin, parsley, anise, cilantro, parsnips, and fennel.

Halloween Carrot Hands in Hummus

carrot-fingers2

5 long carrots, or long carrot pieces
Pumpkins seeds or almond slices
1 recipe of your favorite hummus (check Nash’s Recipe Blog)
Chili powder or paprika for garnish

Set out your serving bowl, and estimate the length you’ll need the “fingers” to be. Select carrots that are most advantageously bent, and peel them. When peeling, add a flat part for the “nail.”

Fill your serving bowl with hummus and position the fingers. Use a bit of hummus to affix the pumpkin seeds or almond slices for nails. Garnish with chili powder or paprika for contrast, and serve with Triticale-Chia Crackers.

Triticale

Triticale is a whole-grain hybrid made by crossing wheat and rye, preserving the best of both plants and improving on both of its parents. This was first done in Sweden about 100 years ago.

Higher in protein  and containing more minerals and fiber than either wheat or rye, triticale retains the earthy flavor of rye with the softer texture of wheat.

Triticale flour can be used to make yeast breads, but because it is lower in gluten than wheat, the loaf will not rise very high.

Triticale-Chia Crackers

2 cups triticale flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup chia seeds
1 tsp. ground black pepper
4 tsp. olive oil
¾ – 1 cup lukewarm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir the flour, salt, baking powder, chia seeds, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and ¾ cup water. Mix to incorporate all ingredients, adding more water if necessary for dough to hold together. Knead a few times until dough is smooth. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Grease two large cookie sheets or jelly-roll pans. Divide dough in half. Using a rolling pin, roll dough to cover each cookie sheet, rolling dough as thin as possible. Prick dough all over with a fork and cut into desired size with a pizza cutter. Bake for 20 minutes or until crackers are golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool. Break into individual crackers and store in a sealed container.

 

 

 

What’s in your box for week 17

In the Standard Box:
Corn   4 ears
Young Leeks   1 bu
Cider   1 qt
Brussels Sprouts   1.5 lb
Spinach   1 bu
Red or Green Savoy Cabbage   1 hd
Chioggia Beets   2 lb
Italian Parsley   1 bu
Broccoli   1.5 lb
Celery Root   1

In the Small Box:
Brussels Sprouts   1.5 lb
Bunched Carrots   1 bu
Spinach   1 bu
Red or Green Savoy Cabbage   1 hd
Chioggia Beets    2 lb
Broccoli   1.5 lb
Celery Root   1

Brussels Sprouts are Back!

brussels-sprouts

Brussels sprouts are like little baby cabbages. They are not known for being the world’s most favorite vegetable, perhaps because they produce an offensive odor when overcooked, something you should definitely avoid if you want to enjoy their excellent flavor and get the most out of their powerhouse nutrients. The odor comes from a sulfur-containing compound in the Brussels sprouts that is responsible for some pretty impressive health benefits, including fighting cancer.

About 98% of commercial Brussels sprouts in the US is grown in the coastal region of Monterey in California, and almost all of it is frozen. We are fortunate to have great local sprouts that are fresh and organic.

A 1-cup serving contains staggering amounts of vitamins B6, C, and K, as well as manganese, folate, dietary fiber, copper, potassium, and iron, all for only 56 calories. Like other members of the Brassica family, Brussels sprouts pack huge amounts of phytonutrients that are believed to have considerable anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

But it’s those sulfur-containing compounds that make Brussels sprouts unique in nutrient content. They are called sulforaphanes and they are found in many cruciferous veggies, like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. They actively fight cancer and help to detoxify the body. It’s one of life’s ironies that something so important for our health should sometimes manifest itself in unpleasant ways. However, if you don’t overcook them, Nash’s organic sprouts taste fantastic even prepared simply.

You can steam them and toss them with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, or butter. You can roast them and quarter them, then toss them like a salad with onions, feta cheese, and balsamic vinegar. You can even keep a bowl in the fridge, seasoned with salt and pepper, to snack on throughout the day – their small bite-sized package makes them perfect for popping in your mouth.

Complementary flavors include apples, bacon, caraway seeds, celery root, chervil, nuts, chives, cumin, dill, garlic, ginger, leeks, lemon, mustard, nutmeg, parsley, potatoes, savory, sesame, paprika, thyme and tarragon.

Fun with Brussels Sprouts!

  • Brussels sprouts are often at their best when prepared simply with butter or a little cream. Creamed sprouts make a lovely side dish with hearty meats.
  • Very thinly sliced Brussels sprouts add unexpected texture and dimension to soups, combine well with other cooked vegetables such as carrots and beets, and, as a raw vegetable, provide crunch and flavor to salads.
  • Brussels sprouts have an incredible affinity with the smoked parts of the pig: bacon, ham, pancetta,
    lardons—they’re all good.
  • For something a little different—and for perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts—try oven-roasting them in culinary parchment paper. This method steams them, and you can insert seasonings inside the paper.
  • Brussels sprouts can stand up to strong flavors like citrus, mustard, red wine, garlic, celery, pepper, and ginger.

Brussels Sprouts in Honey Butter

1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. water
Red chili flakes
Sea salt

Cut each clean sprout in half. In a small bowl, mix the butter with the honey. Heat a wide, flat skillet on medium heat. Add the honey butter and allow it to bubble and melt. Add the sprouts, tossing to coat them with the butter, then arranging them cut side down in a single layer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes uncovered, until the cut sides turn golden and a little charred. Sprinkle the chili flakes and sea salt to taste over the Brussels sprouts. Stir around so most of them turn over cut side up. Add the water and cook, covered, for another 3 to 5 minutes until they are soft. Serve hot.

— Nithya Das, Foodista.com, as appears in Bounty from the Box: The CSA Farm Cookbook, by Mi Ae Lipe

Chioggia Beets

Chioggia is an actual town in northeast Italy, near Venice, and in the mid-1800s, local farmers there developed a beet that has the most wonderful candy-cane red and white spirals. It also has a mild sweet flavor that lends itself deliciously to salads or crudité. Of course they can be cooked and enjoyed in any way that other beets can, but these guys don’t color everything else in the dish red!

chioggas

Actually, the colors will fade with heat, but if you want to keep those colors bright when boiling or braising them, toss in a little lemon juice or white vinegar first. Like all your veggies, don’t overcook them to get the maximum health benefits.

Chioggias are rich in fiber, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium and folic acid, an important B vitamin. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beets their color, is a powerful antioxidant in Chioggias.

Chioggia beets can be roasted, steamed or braised. Roasting will bring out the most flavor, and they can be served cold or hot. They are a great salad beet, whether served alongside greens or as the main ingredient. They pair well with bacon, apples, cheeses (goat cheese, gorgonzola and aged pecorino in particular), cucumbers, hard-cooked eggs, fennel, mustard, oranges, parsley, smoked fish, shallots, and vinegars, especially balsamic.

Chioggia Beets & Goat Cheese on Toast

4-5 beets, drizzled with olive oil, oven-roasted at 350˚ until tender)
5 oz. goat cheese
2 young leeks, well washed
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 pieces whole grain bread

Slice leeks into thin rounds and sauté over medium/medium low heat with a splash of olive oil, small pat of butter and sprinkle of salt and pepper until they are soft and translucent.

Mix 1 tablespoon chopped thyme leaves, and a sprinkle of pepper into goat cheese. Stir to soften the cheese.

When beets are cool enough to handle, remove skins and slice very thinly and evenly.

Toast the bread. Cover each slice with sautéed leeks and dot goat cheese evenly on top. Bake 10 minutes at 350° until cheese has softened. Remove from oven and neatly place beet slices on the top, drizzle with a little olive oil, sprinkle with remaining teaspoon chopped thyme leaves and heat in oven until warm,  taking care to ensure beets do not dry out. Garnish with a spring of thyme and serve with a green salad.

 

 

What’s in your box for week 15

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In the Small Box:

Green Savoy Cabbage   1 hd
Hard Red Wheat Flour   2 lb
Corn   4 ears
Curly Parsley   1 bu
Collards   1 bu
Apple Cider   1 qt
Baby White Turnips   1 bu

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In the Standard Box:

Celery Root
Green Tomatoes   2 lb
Arugula   1 bu
Curly Parsley   1 bu
Collards   1 bu
Spinach   1 bu
Baby White Turnips   1 bu
Broccoli   1.5 lb
Bunched Carrots   1 bu
Lacinato Kale   1 bu

 

Baby White Turnips

Turnips taste earthy, but their baby selves taste sweet and creamy. They are even “cute,” if you can call a vegetable that. They lend themselves to many flavors. Try both the root and the greens in a sauté with lemon, garlic, and Herbes de Provence. Remember—you don’t need to peel these babies!

All turnips are very low in calories, with just 28 calories per 100 g. Nonetheless, they are a very good source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins (especially C) and dietary fiber. Even the baby ones! Turnips help the body  scavenge harmful free radicals, thus preventing cancers and inflammation, boosting the immune system.

Turnip greens are a storehouse of many vital nutrients, containing several times more than the levels in the roots. They are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, such as vitamin A, B complex, C, K, carotenoid, xanthin, and lutein, as well as the minerals calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and manganese.

Baby white turnips are also very versatile. Here are some favorite ways to prepare them:

  • Young turnips are one of the favored items in raw salads for their sweet taste, complementing cabbage, parsnips, carrots, beets, etc.
  • They mix well with other vegetables like kohlrabi, potato, and carrots in stews.
  • Diced sautéed baby turnips are delicious with poultry, lamb, pork, etc.
  • Mix raw baby turnip slices with olives and cherry tomatoes in a vinaigrette for an appetizer.
  • Turnip cubes are great pickled.
  • Turnip greens are used like other hearty greens and vegetables, in soups, curries, and stews. Try them in a sauté with garlic, salt and pepper, and a little apple cider vinegar.
  • Like all root veggies, turnips are fantastic roasted, as in the recipe below.

Roasted Baby Turnips

roasted-baby-turnips

1 bunch baby turnips, and chopped into quarters
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Pinch of salt, to taste
Dijon-Shallot Vinaigrette
1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, finely minced
Pinch of salt, to taste
1/2 Tbsp. dried tarragon

Preheat oven to 400° F. Toss baby turnips in olive oil and salt. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft on the inside, with a slightly caramelized exterior.

While turnips are roasting, whisk together the white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, taking care not to add too much at a time. Whisk until emulsified, then whisk in the shallots, salt and tarragon. Toss in the roasted turnips. This is best served at room temperature.

Mexican Grilled Corn

4 ears corn
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 lime, juiced
Red chili powder, to taste
2 limes cut into wedges, for garnish

Remove the husks of the corn but leave the core attached at the end for handling. Grill the corn on a hot grill or cast iron griddle until slightly charred. Turn so it gets cooked evenly all over. Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and cilantro together. Grate the Parmesan in another bowl. While the corn is still warm slather with mayonnaise mix. Squeeze lime juice over the corn and shower with Parmesan. Season with chili powder and serve with extra lime wedges.

Green Tomatoes

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Don’t know what to do with your green tomatoes, besides frying them? Sauté them with onion and olive oil, season to taste, then toss them with hot pasta and bits of feta cheese.  Or substitute green tomatoes for tomatillos in a salsa recipe. Or put them on a pizza, or a quiche.

Of course, everyone automatically thinks of fried green tomatoes. Here’s an easy version:

Whisk 2 eggs and 1/2 cup milk together in a medium-size bowl. Scoop 1 cup Nash’s soft white flour onto a plate. Mix 1/2 cup Nash’s cornmeal, 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs and1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper on another plate. Cut your tomatoes into 1/2” slices. Dip them into flour to coat. Then dip them into the milk and egg mixture. Dredge in breadcrumb mixture to completely coat.

In a large skillet, pour vegetable oil (enough so that there is 1/2 inch of oil in the pan) and heat over a medium heat. Place tomatoes into the frying pan in batches of 4 or 5, depending on the size of your skillet. Do not crowd the tomatoes. When the tomatoes are browned, flip and fry them on the other side. Drain on paper towels and enjoy.

Collards—More than good for you!

Collards are also known as “non-heading cabbage” or “tree-cabbage” due to cabbage-like leaves that resemble a crown on top of the stem after removal of the leaves (after few harvests) from the bottom part of the stem.

They are a rich source of dietary fibers, vitamin B9, C, A, K and minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, manganese and selenium. 100 g of collard greens contains only 30 calories.  They are especially noted for lowering cholesterol.

The stalks and leaves are edible. Add them to soups, stews and dishes made of various types of vegetables and meat. Fresh leaves can be used in salads and juices.

 

 

 

 

 

What’s in your box for week 14

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In the Standard Box

Hard Red Wheat Flour   2 lb
Spinach   1 bu
Corn   4 ears
Table Carrots   3 lb
Red Chard   1 bu
Red Beets   2 lb
Green Cabbage   1 hd
Green Kale   1 bu
Banana Peppers*   3/4 lb

 

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In the Small Box

Arugula   1 bu
Spinach   1 bu
Broccoli   1.5 lb
Potatoes   2 lb
Red Chard   1 bu
Apples   2 lb
Banana Peppers*   3/4 lb

* From Alvarez Organic Farm,     Yakima

arugula

 

 

 

 

Arugula Quiche

1.5 cups mushrooms, thinly and evenly sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cups arugula
1/2 tsp. sea salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup pouring cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese plus a little extra for sprinkling
Freshly ground black pepper
Pastry dough

Pre-heat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9” pie pan. Place rolled out pastry dough into pie pan, press in and trim edges.

Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Once the oil and butter start to swirl, add the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and shake the pan around. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes then transfer mushrooms to a bowl to cool.

Use the mushroom pan to lightly cook the arugula until just slightly wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside.

Make filling by combining the eggs, cream, milk, cheese, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Whisk mixture thoroughly to combine the ingredients.

Spoon mushrooms and arugula evenly at the bottom of the pie pan, then slowly fill it with the egg mixture until about 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle with a little extra cheese.

Bake quiche for 30 minutes or until firm and golden. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool further.

Want to use your arugula for something else? Substitute spinach, chard or kale! For color, add a little of your Alvarez pepper. Quiche is a great dish for improvisation.

 

Whole Wheat Bread

The Sponge
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
A drop of molasses
2 cups Nash’s Hard Red Wheat flour

Dissolve yeast in water. Add molasses and let stand 5 minutes. Beat in the flour. Cover with a towel and let rise 30-60 minutes. When the sponge rises, prepare the mix.

The Mix
1 cup cracked wheat berries
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup sweet butter
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup seedless raisins

Combine all ingredients. Let stand 30 minutes covered, and 30 minutes uncovered. Beat into risen sponge (100 strokes with a spoon).

Add 3-4 cups Hard Red Wheat flour, 1/2 cup at a time, graduating from a wooden spoon to hand mixing as dough thickens. When all the flour is added, turn out the dough on to a floured surface and knead it a good 15-20 minutes. Add small amounts of extra flour if dough is sticky. Return the kneaded dough to an oiled bowl, roll it around in the bowl so that it gets all nicely oiled, and let it rise, covered with a towel, until its bulk has doubled, about an hour.

Punch down the risen dough, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it another 15-20 minutes. Form your desired loaves, place them in well-buttered bread pans, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in bulk one more time.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Brush top of loaves with melted butter just before baking. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans right away so the crust can crisp. Allow to cool for 10 minutes for easier slicing.

We thank The Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen for this recipe.

 

 

 

What’s in your box for week 13

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Standard Box

Curly Parsley   1 bu
Golden Beets with Greens   1 bu
Green Savoy Cabbage   1 hd
Red Kale   1 bu
Leeks   2
Arugula   1 bu
Celery Root
Dill   1 bu
Alaska Bloom Potatoes   3 lb
Apples   2 lb
Lettuce*   1 hd

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In the Small Box

Rolled Oats   2 lb
Corn   4 ears
Leek
Green Cabbage   1 hd
Celery Root
Green Kale   1 bu
Lettuce*   1 hd

* From River Run Farm, Sequim

About Celery Root

“You can’t tell a book by its cover” goes the proverb. It couldn’t be more true in the case of celery root, aka celeriac or knob celery. On the outside, it looks like something from outer space. On the inside, it is a luscious cream color that also tastes fantastic prepared in a variety of ways.

celeriac

If you come from Europe, or lived there for any length of time, celery root is no stranger to you. It has been a common cultivar there since the 17th century. Celerie remoulade is a classic cold French salad. The root is peeled and grated, soaked in diluted lemon juice or acidulated water, then dressed in a mustardy mayonnaise.

A simple and delicious favorite local way to eat celery root is roasted, perhaps as part of a roasted root medley. It cooks quicker than carrots or beets, so either roast it alone, or remove it early. Brush pieces with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper before placing on a cookie sheet in a high oven (400°F). Watch it carefully to prevent burning.

Celery root is related to celery, but has been a distinct species since the time of the ancient Greeks. It’s a perfect substitute for starchier veggies, such as potatoes, and it has only 30 calories per serving and is an excellent source of dietary fiber. You can boil and mash it, grill it, cut it into long strips and French-fry it, or grate it raw onto a green salad. Add it to soups, stews or casseroles.

Peel it with a paring knife rather than a vegetable peeler because the outer layer can be fibrous. It’s worth every effort, because its flavor is so unique and delicate.

Celery root contains many anti-oxidants that possess anti-cancer properties and in particular may offer protection from colon cancer. It is a very good source of vitamin K that improves bone mineralization and protects against neurological damage to the brain. The root is also a very good source of essential minerals, such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, copper, and manganese. Further, it contains some of valuable B-complex vitamins and also provides moderate amounts of vitamin C.

Leek, Celery Root & Apple Soup

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp.  olive oil, plus more for serving
2 large cloves garlic, sliced
1 rib celery, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
6 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts
4 cups chicken or veggie stock
2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into 2” pieces
2 sprigs thyme
1 medium celery root, peeled and cut into 2” chunks
3/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
Salt and white pepper, to taste
Parsley for garnish

Melt butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, celery and onion and cook until onion is translucent. Reduce heat to low and add leeks. Cook, covered, until soft.

Add stock, 1 cup water, apples, thyme and celery root. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook until celery root is tender. Remove from heat.

Discard thyme. Puree soup, in batches, if necessary. Add cream and season with salt and pepper. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with parsley sprigs.

 

Beet Greens

Beet greens are more nutritious than the beets themselves! They have almost twice the potassium of beet roots and high amounts of beta carotene, an important antioxidant that helps fight numerous diseases. They also have good amounts of protein, phosphorus, and zinc, and are a great source of fiber. Packed with antioxidants, they’re high in vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, and manganese, and low in fat and cholesterol.

To store beets, separate the leaves from the root, leaving an inch or two of the stems. Remove any leaves that are damaged before storing the tops in a loosely wrapped plastic bag or a clean wet dish towel in the crisper section of the refrigerator, for no more than a few days. Roots should also be stored similarly—if left in the crisper unwrapped, they will quickly dehydrate and become soft.

Great ways to use fresh dill

dill

  • Add sparkle to a tuna sandwich.
  • Enhance a cold gazpacho soup.
  • Mix ¼ cup fresh dill with ¼ cup vinegar, 1 tsp. sugar, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper, and 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Add 2 sliced cucumbers, 1 cup sliced red onion, and 2 cut-up tomatoes. Toss, and let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • Got a favorite pureed carrot soup recipe? Be sure to garnish it with some delicate dill fronds for a treat that’s not only tasty, but visually appealing.
  • Dill with salmon is a marriage made in heaven. Add finely chopped garlic, too!
  • Add to Greek green salads, with romaine, sliced scallions and crumbled feta.
  • Next time you make sourdough bread, throw in some olives and dill.
  • Finely chop ½ cup dill and mix with 2-3 Tbsp. butter, salt, and pepper. For an incredible roasted chicken, use a spoon to get it under the skin of the breasts, thighs, and legs, and massage it around the meat. Stuff some into the cavity of the chicken with some lemon slices and garlic.
  • Add to potato soup, or potato salad with lemon and green onion.
  • Add to cole slaw, omelets, lentil dahl, borscht.
  • Make dill sauce with 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, 1.5 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 2 tsp. chopped, fresh dill. Chill before serving.

 

 

 

 

 

What’s in your box for week 12

In the Small Box:

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Cylinder Beets with Greens   1 bu
Green/Purple Beans   3/4 lb
Pears   2.5 lb
Nash’s Best Carrots   5 lb
Italian Parsley   1 bu
Tomatoes   1 lb

 

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In the Standard Box:

Potatoes   2 lb
Cylinder Beets w/ Greens   1 bu
Collards   1 bu
Rainbow Chard   1 bu
Corn   4 ears
Baby Dill   1 bu
Nash’s Best Carrots   5 lb
Italian Parsley   1 bu
Red Baby Bok Choy   1 bu
Apple Cider   1 qt

 

Nash’s Carrots

carrots-bulk

Carrots belong to the Umbelliferae family, named after the umbrella-like flower clusters and seed heads that plants in this family produce (photo, right). Other members include parsnips, fennel, parsley, anise, caraway, cumin, and dill.

They are high in antioxidants, have cardio-protective benefits, anti-cancer properties, and support vision health.

Carrots are a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, C, and some B, as well as potassium and phosphorous.

Carrots are an easy and tasty way to boost your vegetable intake, increasing the amount of fiber and health-protecting nutrients you consume.

 

 

Carrot Tahini Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

1.5 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed, drained & patted dry
(or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained & dried)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
Pinch of salt and pepper

1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. minced parsley
Water to thin if necessary

3 cups shredded carrots (3 to 4 medium-sized carrots)
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup fresh parsley, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss the chickpeas with the oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Place on a prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the pan several times throughout baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. In a large salad bowl, toss the shredded carrots, onion, raisins, and parsley with the dressing. Mix well. Season with a little salt and pepper. Right before serving, top with the chickpeas and enjoy. Recipe from www.thekitchn.com/

Grilled Corn with Cheese and Lime

4 ears corn, shucked
1/2 Tbsp. organic safflower or sunflower oil
Kosher salt
1/4 cup crumbled Queso Fresco or Feta
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, to taste
1 lime, cut into wedges

Heat grill to medium-high. Brush the corn with the oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Grill, turning often, until tender and charred, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle the corn with the cheese and cayenne. Serve with the lime wedges. If you are not feeling like firing up the grill, this recipe works just as well with steamed corn.

Easy Red Baby Bok Choy Sauté

bok-choi-red-baby

1 Tbsp. high-heat oil
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
Small piece ginger root, peeled and minced
Dash red-pepper flakes, or to taste
1 bunch red baby bok choy, cleaned, with the ends trimmed
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. chicken stock or water
Toasted sesame oil for drizzling

In a large sauté pan with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Add garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 45 seconds.

Add bok choy and stir carefully to cover with oil, then cook for approximately 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, stock or water, then cover pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes more, until steam begins to escape from beneath the lid of the pan.

Uncover and continue to cook until liquid is close to evaporated and stalks are soft to the touch, approximately 3 minutes more.

Remove to a warmed platter and drizzle with sesame oil.