Lacto-fermented Carrots & Kombu

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Hello,

Have you tried pickling carrots before? If not, you really should give it a try (check out our lacto-fermenting overview if you are a beginner). It’s easy and the carrots have a great sweet/sour balance. I added kombu, an edible type of kelp, to this batch to an extra layer of flavor. Kombu is traditionally used to make dashi, which is the broth base for most miso soups, but it can used in any number of other dishes, too. As an added bonus, kombu keeps well for long periods of time, making it an ideal pantry staple to keep on hand. It doesn’t hurt that it is a nutritional powerhouse as well.

Enjoy!

Lacto-fermented Carrots & Kombu
makes a pint

Recipe note: I used the small carrots from last weeks share, which were only 2 to 3 inches long. It took roughly 40 of these small carrots to get 2/3 pound whereas you might only need 3 or 4 large carrots to equal this weight.

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 pound carrots, trimmed and cut 1/4″ thick on the diagonal
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 ounce (about 3/4 tablespoon) sea salt
  • 3 pieces of kombu (roughly 2×3″), cut into 1/2″ strips

Directions:

  • Place carrots in a 1.5 pint jar.
  • Place 1 cup of water along with the salt in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat, making sure the salt has dissolved. Remove from heat and add the kombu (it should soften within a minute or so). Add 1 cup of cold water and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Pour over the carrots and ensure they are submerged (we love the KrautSource fermenting lid but you can also weigh them down with a cabbage leaf). Cover and allow to sit at room temperature. Taste daily to determine when they are “done”.

Weekly Farm Notes :: June 15th, 2016

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Hello,

If you received a text message earlier, you can expect a share for the CSA extension this week. If not, stop by anyways to pick up some veggies and say hi!

This week, Alice shares some of her favorite resources for clean eating (thanks for including us in your article, Alice!). Check out the list and then let her know if you have anything to add!

See you at market!

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June 15th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market {M} and in the CSA {CSA}:

  • Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: the only way to eat soup in this heat is if it’s chilled. This Chilled Swiss Chard Soup was eye-opening the first time I made it and I continue to make it every summer.
  • Romaine & Green Leaf Lettuce {M/CSA}: I love bowl type meals, piled high with lots of different flavors and textures. This post, which includes a recipe for crunchy roasted chickpeas, breaks down the different elements that make a great vegan bowl meal.
  • Green Beans {CSA}: I saw a lovely recipe of green beans, bulgur, walnuts, mint all mixed with a tahini sauce. It is on my list of recipes to try but I encourage you to experiment if it sounds good to you too!
  • Carrots {CSA}: I have always loved pickles and carrots separately but luckily I know enough now to combine the two flavors. Try Lacto-Fermented Carrot Sticks for a sweet/sour treat!
  • Green Onions {CSA}: the newest market recipe – Zucchini & Herbed Ricotta Tartines – incorporates green onions into the ricotta mixture. If you don’t pick up a zucchini at market, you can use the same ricotta mixture with our cherry tomatoes for a quick and delicious meal!
  • Cabbage {CSA}: I haven’t tried this myself but I have charred cabbage in the skillet, and I can tell you the results were wonderful. If you already have the grill fired up, why not try this Grilled Cabbage recipe?
  • Red & Yellow Cherry Tomatoes {CSA}: it’s been quite a while since I linked to any tomato recipes on here, but here is one of my favorite – Cherry Tomato Gazpacho. We might not have enough to make this full recipe but supplement with some others from the market (and support other farms in the process!).
  • Herbs {M}: the herbs this week include basil, parsley, mint and lemon balm. I think all of these would be a great addition to these Seared Tofu Bahn Mi Sandwiches.

Weekly Farm Notes :: May 11th, 2016

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Hello,

We have a couple new items at market this week: carrots, escarole and beet greens! See below for more information and tasty ways to use these items.

Alice O’Dea is following up her post on 2 ingredients cookies with 2 ingredient pizza crust! Making homemade pizza is delicious but I am often dissuaded by making the crust. Now I don’t have any excuses.

See you tomorrow at market!

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May 11th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market {M} and in the CSA {CSA}:

  • Sweet Baby Carrots {M/CSA}: if you are interested in lacto-fermenting but aren’t sure where to start, read through our recent post with tips and tricks to help you get started. Once you have the basics down, give these recipes a try: Carrot, Radish & Apple Ferment and Purslane & Carrot Ferment.
  • Ford Hook & Rainbow Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: since you are saving so much time on the crust, why not spend a little extra and make caramelized onions for this Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Ricotta and Chard recipe.
  • Siberian & Red Kale Mix {M/CSA}: I love this Easy White Bean and Kale Hummus. It’s a fun change from chickpea based hummus and a recipe I come back to over and over.
  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: have you ever put collard greens in a smoothie? I haven’t tried it as I always think they need to be cooked to death. Why not try it with this Banana Orange Collard Green Smoothie?
  • Natacha Escarole {M/CSA}: aren’t familiar with escarole? Not to worry – it is versatile and can be used both raw and in cooked applications. Here is a good place to start.
  • Red Leaf Lettuce {M/CSA}: a salad is something I think one should be able to put together without a recipe. Check out our post on The Essential Elements to a Satisfying Salad to find out where to start.
  • Scarlet Salad Turnips {CSA}: I rarely using canning as a preservation method as I find so many other options that are easier. I think this recipe for Lemon-Pickled Turnips would work just as well as a quick pickle.
  • Red Kitten Spinach {M}: unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know that spinach is good for you food. But did you know it is this good for you? Seriously, we all need to eat more!
  • Beet Greens {M}: these greens can be used in so many ways, but I love the suggestions on this post: barley salad with lemon, goat cheese and scallions; mixed with ricotta to make a beet green crostini; and stir-fried and served with rice and a fried egg.
  • Edible Mild & Spicy Asian Flowers {M}: one of our loyal patrons, Jerri, posted a picture of lettuce cups topped with our edible flowers. She filled Bibb lettuce with kamut, edamame, corn, fresh herbs & the flowers and topped it with a kale tahini lime sauce. Yum!
  • Peppermint {M}: lemon and mint seem like a natural pairing, not to mention perfect flavors for spring and summer. Why not turn your mint into a Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette to use with all of the salad greens?

Vegetable Packed Pancakes

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Hello,

Turning traditionally sweet food into something savory is nothing new. Of course there is Zucchini Bread and Carrot Cake but the vegetable additions are usually masked by lots of sugar and sweet spices. Nowadays, you can find items like Corn & Basil Cupcakes, Rosemary, Almond and Parmesan Cookies, and even our Savory Quick Bread with Broccoli Rabe and Sun-dried Tomatoes, which keep the basic shape of the original item but lacks most or all of the sweetness.

This is my take on a Buckwheat Vegetable Pancake recipe from Fresh Food Fast (one of my favorite cookbooks), which looks like a pancake but is served as a savory side dish. The author uses cabbage where I use kale but I think a number of vegetables would work well. These are great because you can flavor them in any number of ways – I added a few dashes of a Turkish spice blend but I think curry powder or Italian seasoning would be great too. You could also skip the spices and just add fresh herbs, like dill or parsley.

I didn’t try it, but you might be able to make this vegan by swapping the eggs for flax or chia eggs and using a plant based milk. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!

Also, if you want a dipping sauce to serve along side, try this spicy yogurt sauce: mix together 1 cup whole-milk yogurt, a couple tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 small minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon (or more as desired) cayenne.

Vegetable Packed Pancakes
makes about 10 3″ pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free flour of choice (I used 1/4 cup buckwheat + 1/4 cup brown rice flour but you could also use more all-purpose)
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1-1/2 cups milk (I used soy milk but use whatever you have on hand)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1-1/2 cups finely chopped kale
  • 1 large carrot, grated on the medium holes of a box grater, about 3/4 cup
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • Spices / herbs of choice, optional
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and oil. Pour the wet mixture over the dry and stir to combine.
  • Add the kale, carrots, scallions and spices / herbs, if using, to the batter and mix well. The batter will be thick.
  • Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a 12″ non-stick skillet until shimmering. Using a 1/3 cup dry measure, add three scoops of batter to the pan. Cook until the first side is spotty brown and there are bubbles around the edge, about 3-5 minutes. Flip and cook until the second side is spotty brown and the pancakes are cooked through, another few minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cook the remaining batter.
  • To keep all pancakes warm while working in batches, you can place the cooling rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to a 200 degree oven.

Easy Kale Salad with Russian Dressing

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Hi!

Here is a kale salad that is tasty, quick to prepare and can be kept in the refrigerator for days without wilting (you can’t say that about many dressed salads!). It is flavorful enough to eat on its own or you can add any number of items – tofu, beans, hard boiled eggs, cheese, more veggies – and make it the base to a full meal. Check out our Essentials for a Satisfying Salad post for more ideas.

Enjoy!

Easy Kale Salad with Russian Dressing
makes about 4 side dish servings or 2 main dish servings

Recipe note: 1) I would consider this a lightly dressed salad. I think it is just enough to evenly coat the greens and add flavor without weighing them down. Increase the dressing ingredients by 50% if you like a lot of dressing or are planning to add more ingredients; 2) I used a mix of sweet pickle and pickled garlic juice but I think just about any pickle or fermented vegetable juice could work well – add a little at a time and taste as you go; 3) if you don’t have scallions, use finely chopped shallot, onion or a little minced garlic; 4) this was adapted from the Maximum Flavor cookbook.

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces (about 30 small leaves) of Toscano kale, destemmed and thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, grated on the large holes of a box grater
  • 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice (see recipe note)
  • 1 scallion, white and light green parts, finely chopped (see recipe note)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried horseradish or fresh horseradish to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

  • Add the kale and carrots to a medium mixing bowl.
  • Whisk the remaining ingredients together in a small mixing bowl until combined. Dip a piece of kale into the mix and taste for seasoning. Adjust as needed.
  • Pour the dressing over the kale and massage the greens for about a minute, or until they are slightly wilted and softened. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Weekly Farm Notes :: Nov 24th, 2015

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Hello!

Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving? If you waiting until the last minute to figure out your meal, we hope you find some ideas below. Also, don’t forget that the end of the “Fall into Greens” CSA session is ending soon so preserve the bounty now!

A reminder: all of those stems from your greens are edible! Adding them to smoothies is always an option but I like the ideas on this post. Also, look for a “Stem Jam” recipe coming soon!

See you at market tomorrow (not Wednesday) and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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November 24th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Carrots {M/CSA}: check out our latest post – Carrot and Turmeric Soup! This would be an easy, make-ahead side dish if you are still planning your Thanksgiving meal. Also, don’t forget that you can eat the carrot tops!
  • Jerusalem Artichokes {M/CSA}: there is one important thing to know about the composition of Jerusalem artichokes – they are rich in a carbohydrate called inulin and very low in starch. This makes them great for those who wish to avoid starchy foods but they can also be difficult to digest in large quantities. Check out this, this and this for more information.
  • Siberian Kale Mix {M/CSA}: how genius is this “Salad Booster” – a combination of toasted nori, kale, sunflower seeds and lemon zest?! This is definitely on my list of things to try ASAP!
  • Red Leaf & Red Butter Lettuce {M/CSA}: how do you store your lettuce? This link tells you how to keep your greens fresher, longer!
  • Ford Hook Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: kale gets all the attention but Swiss chard deserves some of the lime light! Check out this link for lots of recipe ideas – I especially like the sound of Bread Soup with Onions, Chard and Mushrooms for Thanksgiving.
  • Awesome Asian Salad Mix {M/CSA}: there are LOTS of Asian salad recipes out there but I think this one looks the best (no crispy ramen topping included, which is a good thing in my book). Just substitute the salad mix for the kale.
  • Pak Choi {CSA}: if you need something on the lighter side post Thanksgiving, give our Triple Sesame Noodles with Pak Choi a try!
  • Garlic {CSA}: I just got The Joy of Pickling cookbook and wow, it’s fantastic. If you are a fan of pickling, I would suggest you pick up a copy (I got mine for $6 on Ebay). See the Chinese Pickled Garlic recipe below for a fast and flavorful way to preserve your garlic.
  • Tender Collards {M}: these Chickpea, Cashew and Collard Green Patties can be made ahead and frozen. No need for greasy carry out when you have these stashed away in the freezer!
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M}: I am fascinated by another cookbook I picked up this week – Preserving the Japanese Way. There is a recipe for Wild Arugula with Walnut Miso that I am dying to try. If it turns out well, I will definitely post it soon!
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: hot damn, this vegan Mustard Greens Soup with Poblanos and Almonds sounds delicious! I love how simple ingredients can come together to make a special meal.

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Recipe :: Chinese Pickled Garlic

This recipe is from The Joy of Pickling and makes about 1 cup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar, white wine vinegar or distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pickling salt

Directions:

  • Put the garlic into a half-pint jar. Stir together the vinegar, sugar and salt and pour the liquid over the garlic. Cap the jar and store it in the refrigerator or another cool, dark place for at least 1 month before using the garlic. It should keep well for 1 year or more. After opening the jar, store it in the refrigerator.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? Take her advice and make a yummy soup from your Thanksgiving leftovers!

 

Carrot & Turmeric Soup

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Hello,

Making this soup is a lesson in balancing fresh and cooked flavor and seasoning based on taste. The base of the soup – onion, turmeric, carrots, coconut milk – would make a nice soup by itself, but it is definitely kicked up a notch by adding fresh flavors at the end. I like to incorporate fresh versions of ingredients cooked in the soup, like the carrots and turmeric. It helps to intensify both of those flavors and brightens up the dish. I then added two additional ingredients that I think almost every dish needs at the end – a little acidity and a little sweetness (a lot of dishes need extra salt too but I added plenty in the beginning). I chose apple cider vinegar and honey as I think they pair nicely with the other flavors but you can play around and try what you like (lemon juice or white wine vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup or sorghum in place of the honey might be nice). Whichever route you decide to take, just taste, make small adjustments, and taste again. Enjoy!

Carrot & Turmeric Soup
makes about 4 servings for a main dish, 6 for a side dish

Recipe notes: 1) I found fresh turmeric at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago so have been using that over dried. If you don’t have access to fresh, use 1 teaspoon dried turmeric instead and add it all in the beginning with the garlic; 2) I preferred this soup the day after making it as the flavors had time to really blend and smooth out, but it was still very good the day of.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 3 teaspoons grated fresh turmeric, divided
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (from about 2 medium cloves)
  • 1-1/8 pound (about 6 medium) trimmed carrots, chopped into 1/2″ pieces, divided
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 3-4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • To serve: croutons and/or chives

Directions:

  • Heat oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan until shimmering. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and just starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons turmeric and garlic and stir frequently for 1 minute. Add 1 pound of carrots, water and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and add the remaining turmeric and carrots, 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar and honey and puree until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Weekly Farm Notes :: Nov 18th, 2015

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Hello!

There are two important events coming up of note: first, Thanksgiving of course, but also the “Fall into Greens” CSA session is coming to an end in just a few short weeks. Start thinking about preserving part or all of your weekly share to hold you over before the “Deep Winter” session starts in January. We are providing information below to help you prepare for both!

For those who use Facebook and Instagram, we are asking that you use #tanthillfarm whenever you post something about the farm or your weekly CSA share. There are lots of us in the community but I am guessing we aren’t all connected on social media. This will give us an easy way to connect and see what others are doing each week with their produce. We will also tag any pictures of the farm so you can see what it takes to get your produce from the field to your table.

A few “Deep Winter” and “Walking to Spring” CSA shares are still available. Don’t miss out on powerhouse greens to get you through the dark and cold months ahead! Here is the link to our CSA information to find out more.

See you at market!

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November 18th Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Kale Mix {M/CSA}: this mix includes Toscano, Siberian & Red Ruffled varieties. For a fresh recipe, this seasonal Balsamic Butternut Kale Panzanella salad looks like a great way to incorporate fresh greens in a festive way! If you want to preserve your bounty, freezing is my favorite way to store kale for future use. It is fast and great at retaining the nutrient value. Check out this guide to make little kale bundles that can be used in various ways down the road.
  • Tender Collards {M/CSA}: I have never included Mac n’ Cheese in my Thanksgiving celebration but I know a lot of people who do. Why not toss in some of your collards into the dish this year, similar to this recipe? You can always prepare and freeze your greens this week to make the process easier.
  • Rainbow Swiss Chard {M/CSA}: don’t forget about your dehydrator when trying to find ways to preserve greens. While I don’t like the way raw greens turn out when dehydrated, I really enjoy those that are tossed with oil and spices. Check out our Dehydrated Greens post that includes a recipe for Swiss chard.
  • Mild Red Dragon Tongue & Green Amara Mustard Greens {CSA}: I always fall back on making sauces to preserve fresh ingredients. I especially loves sauces like this one because it can be transformed down the road. You could add cheese and toasted nuts and toss it with pasta or use it as a spread on a sandwich.
  • Cabbage {CSA}: I always think of sauerkraut when trying to find ways to preserve cabbage, but sometimes you need to spice things up. Our Curtido (Salvadorian Sauerkraut) recipe includes carrots, jalapenos and dried spices for a nice twist on an old classic.
  • Spigarello Broccoli Rabe Leaves {CSA}: everything gets turned into a pesto these days, for good reason. They are relatively easy to make, taste great and freeze well. Prepare the sauce for this Broccoli Rabe Walnut Pesto now and freeze to enjoy later!
  • Lettuce {CSA}: I love tahini based salad dressing for the flavor and richness it provides. Just so happens, the market published this Lemon-Tahini Dressing this week. Let’s all give it a try.
  • Tatsoi {CSA}: this green is similar to spinach but with more character. That’s why it works great in this Pasta with Tatsoi and Gingered Butter Sauce recipe.
  • Spicy Large Leaf Arugula {M}: I love mixing fresh and cooked items together in a salad. I think this Arugula, Dried Cherry and Wild Rice Salad would make a great addition to Thanksgiving!
  • Spicy Asian Mustard Greens {M}: really, anything with a fried egg and avocado is going to be great, but this egg sandwich looks pretty legit.

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Thanksgiving Prep

Here are the items that will possibly be in your CSA share next week. We hope this helps you plan your dinner!

  • Sunchokes / Jerusalem Artichokes: here is a list of possible sunchoke recipes. I think the sunchoke and potato gratin would be a great Thanksgiving side dish!
  • Carrots: I can imagine really enjoying this Roasted Carrot Turmeric Soup the day or two after Thanksgiving when a light meal is in order.
  • Awesome Asian Mix: I noticed that Alexzanna Farms has Japanese persimmons this week. I think it is worth asking if they will be available next week too. Substitute the chicories with our Asian mix and I think this salad would be lovely for Thanksgiving!
  • Garlic: if you need to have a dairy-free “creamy” option for Thanksgiving, I thought this Roasted Garlic Ricotta looked like a great option (anything is good when mixed with roasted garlic).
  • Spicy Arugula (same as suggested above): I love mixing fresh and cooked items together in a salad. I think this Arugula, Dried Cherry and Wild Rice Salad would make a great addition to Thanksgiving!
  • Pak Choi: this Glazed Shiitakes with Bok Choy recipe is a similar take to many other pak choi recipes out there but I love the focus on mushrooms. It almost reminds me of a fresher version of green bean casserole!
  • Lettuce: I love shaved fennel in salad and it just so happens that Crabtree Farm has some this week! Ask to see if it will be around next week and add it to your Thanksgiving meal.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? I cannot wait to experience a Scenic City Supper Club dinner myself someday!

 

Barley and Lentil Soup with Swiss Chard

3 Comments

Hello!

I found the soup below here, and although I made a few small tweaks, it’s pretty close to the original. I considered swapping out or adding to the only spice used, cumin, but I am so glad I didn’t. Cumin and Swiss chard is now one of my favorite flavor combinations! It might not sound like they go together well but you really should try it.

I love the combination here of barley and lentils as it provides substance and protein. It’s really a one pot meal. If you don’t have any of the vegetables listed below, try it with whatever you have on hand. This is a soup that can be altered in so many ways. Check out our Essential Steps to Vegetable Based Soups for inspiration!

Barley and Lentil Soup with Swiss Chard
makes about 6 servings

Recipes notes: the amount of time it takes to cook both the barley and lentils is close to the same but it really depends on the age of the lentils. Older beans take longer to cook. Start with fresh lentils for best results.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 5 small carrots, cut into quarters lengthwise and sliced 1/2″ thick
  • 12 large Swiss chard leaves, leaves and stems separated with the leaves cut into rough 1″ pieces and the stems sliced 1/2″ thick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2/3 cup pearled barley
  • 2/3 cup French lentils or other lentils that hold their shape
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1/2 to 1 cup roughly chopped drained whole canned tomatoes (substitute canned diced tomatoes)

Directions:

  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, carrots, and Swiss chard stems. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute. Add broth, barley, lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the barley and lentils are tender, about 40 minutes (start checking after 30 minutes). Add the Swiss chard leaves and tomatoes and cook until the greens have wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or cool and store in an air-tight container for up to 7 days.

Weekly Farm Notes :: Oct 21st, 2015

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Hello!

“Deep Winter” and “Walking to Spring” CSA shares are still available. Don’t miss out on powerhouse greens to get you through the dark and cold months ahead! Here is the link to our CSA information to find out more.

Also, we are in the process of adding nutritional information to the Produce Information tab. Let us know what else we can add to make this useful for you!

A note on the Napa cabbage: when you farm without the use of harmful pesticides, sometimes you have to deal with what Mother Nature gives you. Right now, we are dealing with some worms in the cabbage but there is a simple way to get rid of them. Chop the cabbage roughly and soak in a large bowl (or sink full) of water that has been mixed with 1/4 cup of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly then drain and use as desired.

See you at market!

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October 21st Produce

Here are the items you can expect at Market (denoted by M) and/or in the CSA (denoted by CSA):

  • Napa Cabbage {CSA}: check out my Quick Kimchi recipe on the Main Street Farmers Market blog this week!
  • Carrots {CSA}: simple roasted carrots are a favorite of mine. I love Cook’s Illustrated recipe and have used it over and over again. It is included below so you can give it a try as well.
  • Rainbow Swiss Chard {CSA}: learn about the blood sugar control properties and more of this tasty green here!
  • Awesome Asian Lettuce Mix {M/CSA}: I have been on a buddha bowl kick this week. I think these Asian greens would be a great base for a recipe like this one.
  • Pak Choi {M/CSA}: for a super simple and tasty meal, give our Triple Sesame Noodles with Pak Choi recipe a try!
  • Spicy Red Mustard Greens {M/CSA}: check out this Quick Pickled Mustard Green recipe – I could find lots of ways to use greens preserved this way!
  • Siberian Kale {M/CSA}: Wheelers Orchard is selling “ugly” apples this week, which are perfect for processing (homemade applesauce, anyone?!). I was actually thinking of picking some up, cooking it down with kale, and making a fruit and vegetable leather (think homemade fruit roll-ups). We would love to hear if you have any experience in this area!
  • Tender Collards {M}: this recipe for Breakfast Tacos with Eggs, Onions and Collard Greens has me dreaming of weekend brunch.
  • Bold & Peppery Arugula {M/CSA}: these greens have a bite this week but the more bitter, the better, I say! Check out this article on why bitter greens are good for your health. This article provides lots of great ideas to tame the flavor. My favorite way to enjoy bitter greens is in a salad with a sweetened dressing.
  • Salad Turnips {M}: I haven’t tried this yet, but our salad turnips are mild enough that I think they would be great in our newest recipe for Kohlrabi Hash Browns. Swap the kohlrabi for salad turnips and you have a meal in minutes!
  • Mint {M}: if you love Indian food as much as I do, then I suggest whipping up a batch of Cilantro-Mint Chutney to serve along side your favorite dishes. This sauce would freeze well, too!
  • Lemon Balm {M}: shrubs, which are sweetened vinegar mixtures, typically use fruit for flavoring. I swapped the fruit for lemon balm in this recipe and it was delicious!
  • Eggs {M}: pick up collard greens too and make this Breakfast Tacos with Eggs, Onions and Collard Greens recipe!

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Roasted Carrots

As noted above, this recipe is from Cooks Illustrated. It serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds carrot, peeled, halved crosswise, and cut lengthwise if needed to create even pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Table salt and ground black pepper

Directions:

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. In large bowl, combine carrots with butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Transfer carrots to foil- or parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and spread in single layer.
  • Cover baking sheet tightly with foil and cook for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook, stirring twice, until carrots are well browned and tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to serving platter, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

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Alice O’Dea Article

Have you read Alice O’Dea’s recent article? If you cook, even just casually, you should know about mirepoix – Alice breaks it down for you.