Vegetable Side Recipes

Raab Frittata

lacinato kale raab

Which raab is your favorite? Try this frittata with kale raab, cabbage raab, brussels raab, arugula raab, and any other raabs that come you way, and let us know which is best in the comments below!

1 small onion, chopped
1 bunch raab, stems and florets/leaves separated and chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
6 eggs, scrambled
3/4 cup grated cheese
Pepper to taste
Frittata sauce (see below)
Fresh tomato, chopped

With olive oil in skillet, saute onion and raab stems with basil until tender. Cover and stir occasionally. Add chopped raab leaves and florettes. Replace lid. When the saute has shrunk, add eggs and stir quickly, then press evenly in pan. Cover and turn heat down very low. Top with cheese and sprinkle with pepper. Cut with pie server when egg is cooked and serve with sauce (see below) and fresh tomato.

Frittata Sauce
1 cup yogurt
6 cloves garlic, minced fine
1/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup cream (optional)

Mix together and serve generously on frittata with fresh tomato.

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Chickweed Pesto (and Other Chickweed Recipe Ideas)

Chickweed Pesto
1 1/2 cups chickweed
1 1/2 cups basil leaves
3-4 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup melted butter

Puree everything together in a food processor until it forms a paste. Store in glass jars in the refrigerator or freeze. I store (and freeze) mine in small pickled artichoke jars. Substitute for pesto in any recipe or add as a complement to veggie dishes, pasta, egg dishes, etc.

Bonus: More Chickweed Ideas
I freely add chopped chickweed and its slender stems in soups, stews or hot veggie dishes. Fresh, raw chickweed tips are great in salads or as a lettuce substitute in sandwiches.

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Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips

Brussels sprouts at market

Brussels sprouts make a lovely pairing with parsnips — both visually and tastefully.

2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
6 medium parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup pecan halves

Preheat oven to 450 F. Toss vegetables with oil, salt and pepper on 2 rimmed baking sheets and spread into single layers. Roast, rotating sheets halfway through, until tender and golden, about 20 minutes.

Divide pecans between sheets and roast 10 minutes more. Toss and serve.

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Collard, Pear and Caramelized Onion Casserole

collard greens

It’s so wonderful to eat fresh greens in winter. When lettuces and kales have checked out for the winter, collard greens may still be ready to harvest.

1 pound collards, stems removed, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 pound yellow onions, peeled, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 pound pears, ripe, cored, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/3 cup dried cherries (can substitute any dried fruit)
1/2 cup apple cider
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cup smoked gouda, shredded
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Sea salt to taste

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onions in olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon salt until caramelized, about 20 minutes. When soft, sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and let cool.

In a large pot, cook collard greens, covered, in 1/2 cup water until soft, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

In a small saucepan, combine apple cider with dried fruit and simmer over low heat until fruit is plump. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl, mix together onions, pears, collard greens, fruit with juice, apple cider vinegar, coriander and 1 1/2 cup cheese. Season with salt to taste. Transfer the mixture to an oiled 6-cup casserole dish, sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and bake at 350F for about 45 minutes until the pears are soft.

We thank chef Annie McHale of Port Angeles for this recipe.

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Celeriac Potato Puree with Sunchoke Croutons

2 medium celery roots (celeriac) peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound potatoes, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 fresh thyme sprigs
1 fresh bay leaf
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, divided
8 ounces sunchokes, scrubbed
1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (for garnish)

Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy large pot. Add enough water to cover. Sprinkle with salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer with lid slightly ajar until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir over medium heat to dry vegetables. Using potato masher, mash vegetables until coarsely pureed. Mash in 3 1/2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper. This can be done ahead.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut sunchokes into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in medium bowl; add oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Dot with remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet; roast until tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 25 minutes.
Place celery root and potato puree in serving bowl. Sprinkle with roasted sunchokes and chopped thyme.

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Sunchoke Rosemary Chips

sunchokes

Use sunchokes in place of potatoes — for example, make sunchoke chips. The advantage: sunchokes don’t cause a spike in blood sugar like potatoes do.

1/2 pound large sunchokes
1 1/2 tablespoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Slice sunchokes lengthwise 1/8 inch thick and toss with salt. Place slices on paper towels in a single layer, cover with 2 paper towels and let sit 15 minutes, pressing to absorb liquid.

In a bowl, gently toss sunchokes with olive oil and rosemary. Place in single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet.

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Wheat Berry Casserole

Soft white wheat berries

Nash’s soft white wheat berries, up close and personal.

Serves 4

2 cups Nash’s soft white wheat berries, sprouted
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups beef or chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dried green pepper corns, crushed

Place 2 cups sprouted berries in a flameproof casserole with stock and salt. Bring to a boil and skim.

Add thyme, rosemary and peppercorns and boil vigorously until liquid has reduced to the level of the wheat.

Transfer to a 250-degree oven and bake for about 4 hours or until berries are tender.

We thank Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon for this recipe.

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Lemony Leek and Risotto Cake

leeks

These savory cakes have a lovely lemon-and-leek flavor.

1 leek, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups chicken stock, divided
1 cup uncooked short-grain white rice
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 sprigs fresh parsley, for garnish
1 lemon, cut into wedges, for garnish

Place the sliced leek and 3 tablespoons of the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes, until leek is tender. Add the rice and the remaining chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch baking pan.

When the rice is tender, remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the lemon zest, chives, parsley and mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into the pan, and spread evenly. Cover the top of the pan with aluminum foil.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and lightly browned. Run a thin spatula or knife around the outer edge of the pan, and invert the cake onto a serving plate. Serve hot or cold, sliced into wedges. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.

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Kale & Triticale “Risotto”

lacinato kale, bunched

Risotto isn’t just for rice anymore — make your risotto with one of Nash’s whole grains, like our nutty triticale.

1 pound Nash’s triticale berries
2 bunches lacinato or red kale leaves, ribs and stems removed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 cups veggie broth
2 medium shallots, sliced
1/2 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, sliced
6 ounces Parmesan cheese

Wash berries and soak them overnight. Cook as you would rice (1 part grain to 1 1/2 parts water) for about 1-2 hours or until tender. Drain and coat with a bit of olive oil. Coarsely chop kale and put aside. In large sauce pan, warm oil on medium head and add shallots. Cook about 2 minutes, then add kale and wilt together for 2 minutes, then add garlic. Saute 30 seconds, stirring occasionally, then add 4 cups of the broth and simmer. Simmer about 10 minutes or until broth is mostly absorbed, then add butter, 4 ounces Parmesan cheese and cooked triticale. Adjust to remaining stock, and more butter, salt and pepper. Garnish with chives and Parmesan cheese as desired.

We thank Mike Shethar, formerly of Nash’s, for this recipe.

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Six Nettle Recipes

Nettle leaf

Young nettles are easily blanched and frozen to enjoy year round. They are easy to dry as well for healthy herbal teas.

Farmer’s Nettle Frittata
Saute red onions, mushrooms in season, grated carrot, finely sliced broccoli spears and minced chickweed together in olive oil until wilted. Add a handful of minced young nettle stalk and leaves on top, cover and let steam until nettles wilt. Meanwhile, prepare a mixture of eggs, minced parsley and dried basil. Stir well and pour it over the steaming veggies. Place a cover on the pan, wait until eggs set, then flip until done. Delicious as is or with salsa or chickweed pesto.

Leek, Chickweed and Nettle Soup
Saute chopped leeks, celery and crushed garlic cloves in olive oil until soft; add diced potatoes (I use russets or Yukon golds). Add minced chickweed, nettles, parsley, dried basil, turmeric, salt and perhaps a bit more oil or butter. Saute a few minutes more, mixing all the ingredients well to blend the flavors. Cover with stock or water and simmer until everything is tender. Other veggies can be added, such as tomatoes, grated carrots, or perhaps a tin of salmon added at the end for even more variety. Unlike most leek and potato soup recipes, I do not use milk or cream as an ingredient, nor do I find a need to puree if the ingredients are diced small enough, as everything seems to meld together just fine.

Nettle Lasagna
Any spinach lasagna recipe will do for nettle lasagna with the obvious substitution of sauteed or steamed young nettles. If you make your own noodles, toss a spoonful of dried nettle powder into your flour mixture for added nutrition or into your homemade tomato sauce.

Nettle Quiche
Again, there are countless recipes for making quiches. My favorite is from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen. Since I make my own crusts, sometimes I’ll throw in a tablespoon of dried nettle powder with my flours. For the filling, I use a large handful of chopped and steamed nettles, along with sauteed onions, mushrooms in season, chopped broccoli, and an assortment of fresh and dried herbs laid on a bed of feta and shredded raw cheddar cheeses. Over that goes an egg-and-milk mixture to which I might mix in an additional tablespoon of flour depending on how moist my ingredients are.

Nettle Greens Medley
Saute slivers of red onion and garlic in olive oil or coconut oil until translucent. Add equal amounts of chopped Swiss chard and nettle tops. Pour in a small quantity of water, cover with lid and steam until wilted and tender. Mix gently to blend the veggies and oil, sprinkle on some sea salt and serve.

Sesanelp
A seasoning mixture of sesame seeds, nettle seed and nettle herb plus kelp and Celtic salt. Tasty! Roast 1/2 cup sesame seed in a frying pan to your liking. Cool. To a blender add cooled sesame seeds, 2/3 cup of nettle seed, 2 tablespoons dried nettle herb, 2 tablespoons kelp granules and 1/2 teaspoon Celtic salt. Blend till fine. Store in a glass jar. Goes great with a wide variety of foods. My morning toast is sprouted grain bread with a dribble of olive oil topped with this mixture and nutritional yeast. Yum!

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