Week 16, October 24
Both boxes have: Red wheat flour, broccoli, pears, collard greens, red beets
The Small box also has: Baby leeks, Savoy cabbage
The Standard box also has: Rainbow chard, parsnips, Italian parsley, Brussels sprouts
About Your Beets
Nash’s beets are sweet and tender. The sweetness is enhanced by roasting them.
Wash the beets thoroughly, then wrap in foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes. When done, unwrap and hold under cold water. Now you can slide the skins off easily. Cut into quarters, and slice.
You can leave the skins on, of course. They are tender and delicious, and have lots of nutrients. Cut your raw beets into bite-sized pieces, put in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and a little garlic powder, if desired. Toss well so that all the pieces are coated. Put on a cookie sheet in a 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Turn the pieces and roast for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Serve hot or cool down and slice on to a salad.
Beets are heart healthy because they lower blood pressure and levels of bad cholesterol. They are also excellent cleansers for the kidney, liver and blood, and are high in powerful antioxidants, which means they help fight cancer. They have been used for centuries to treat anemia and fatigue. The Romans thought they were an aphrodisiac and modern science has backed that up!
Beets also contain a substance called betaine that is used to treat depression. They have tryptophan, as well, a substance that relaxes the mind and increases our sense of well-being.
The Brussels sprouts and the broccoli in your boxes this week are both from the Wilson Field, located practically across the street from the Farm Store. The variety of sprouts is called Titan and it was planted in greenhouse flats in March and transplanted into the Wilson field mid– June. A month later, the broccoli plants were put in nearby, all part of a large block of fall and winter brassicas. As part of our natural pest control program, we alternated the brassicas with beds of bright purple phacelia, which attract wasps and ladybugs that feed on aphids.
Your beautiful pears came from Alvarez Organic Farms in Mabton, WA. Founded in 1988 by Hilario Alvarez, this farm is one of the most successful and innovative farms in Washington.
This week’s recipes:
Collards Sauté
http://nashsorganicproduce.
Kia’s Biscuits & Gravy
http://nashsorganicproduce.