CSA 2011, October 30

I can't even keep my days straight anymore, so I've lost count of what week of CSA we're on. But here's a picture of today's harvest. About this time of year, I'm ready for the CSA to be OVER. I think a few more weeks!

CSA 2011, Fall

Well, blogging has taken a back seat to...life. I still do enjoy blogging, but it has been on the backburner in recent days. So, here is ONE of the weeks from this fall. We have been eating lots of stuffed acorn squash these days. And when I don't get around to it, they make great fall table decor!

CSA 2011, Week 15, 16, 17

I love the CSA's transition to Fall. Produce keeps longer in a warm, dry place and there is less pressure to cook everything up quickly. Plus, you can always puree the butternut squash and pumpkins for a delicious fall soup. Oh man, I am excited just thinking about some Pumpkin Black Bean soup! But until I do, I will leave you with some snapshots of my CSA the past few weeks. Mid-August, we received: corn, delicata squash, yellow squash, tomato, cucumber, zucchini, cherry tomato, butternut squash, okra, pattypan squash, green beans & banana pepper.On Sunday, September 4, we received: butternut squash, yellow squash, delicata squash, apples, onion, spaghetti squash, pattypan squash, tomato, cherry tomato, acorn squash, cucumber, yellow squash, green bean, okra, and green bell pepper. I made this easy and delicious lunch for myself...Butternut Squash, Edamame & Goat Cheese. SO GOOD.This week (September 11), we received: butternut squash, eggplant, tomato, green bean, green bell pepper, potato, apples, acorn squash, peanuts (I'm boiling peanuts right now!), sweet potato & yellow squash.This week, I'll be making some Stuffed Acorn Squash (stuffed with apples & chicken sausage...Sarah Wilson's recipe...YUM!) What are you excited about cooking this Fall?

CSA, Week 15

This week with the CSA we received: green beans, squash, tomotoes, cherry tomatoes, okra, butternut squash, cucumber, green pepper, green beans, dill, cantaloupe & pototatoes. But just take a minute and LOOK at those fruits and veggies. Aren't they gorgeous??? Look at the greens and yellows. God is so creative. Here's a closer look:

CSA 2011, Week 12, 13, 14

This is the time of year that my CSA posts start falling behind. Here's what we've received the past 3 weeks. (Pictured Above: (Late May) Watermelon, Squash, Okra, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Corn, ZUcchini, Cucumber, Potato, Green Pepper, Cherry Tomato, Peaches, Hot Pepper, CornPictured Above: Corn, Pattypan Squash, Watermelon, Cherry Tomato, Peach, Cucumber, Tomato, Lemon Cucumber, Okra, Green Pepper, Zebra Stripe Tomato, Green Bean, Potato,Pictured Above: Grapes, Onion, Squash, Cucumber, Dill, Peaches, Green Beans, Okra, Bell Peppers, Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Potato, Banana Pepper

CSA 2011, Week 11

This week we recieved: Melon, Corn, Green Bell Pepper, Squash, Kohlrabi, Dill, Cherry Tomato, Heirloom Tomatoes, Peach, Beets, Green Zebra Tomato, Cucumber, Purple Podded Pole Beans and Carrots.

I know it's not Soup Season, but I am a sucker for soup. Especially this one right now, because I have everything on hand! I had every single thing from the CSA or my garden, except for the red bell peppers. And the vegetable broth, but I had some homemade broth from my freezer!ROASTED RED PEPPER & TOMATO BASIL SOUP: Just roast & blend. Tasty. (And It's 100% vegetables!)

2 Red Bell Peppers
2 ¼ lb tomatoes
1 onion
2-3 cloves garlic
2 large potatoes
salt & pepper
olive oil
basil
thyme
2 cups vegetable broth (you can also use chicken broth, which...let's be honest...makes it even more delicious.)

Quarter peppers, tomatoes & potatoes. Cut onion in thick slices. Put in casserole dishes with garlic. Coat in olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast at 450 degrees for 50 minutes. Puree in blender with vegetable broth & herbs. (If desired, you can also puree yours to be a more smooth consistency than mine pictured above. Feel free to add more broth if you like it to be thinner, too.)

CSA 2011, Week 10

It's time for lots of cherry tomatoes! Here are some recipes that I'm going to be trying out soon. Last year, I roasted cherry tomatoes and froze them in small batches. Then, I added them to baked potatoes. Yum!

Here are some cherry tomato recipes I plan to try in the coming weeks:
Bowtie Caprese Toss
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Roasted Cherry Tomato & Basil Pizza
Roasted Tomato Tart (I've made this, it's good!)
Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita
Angelhair Pasta Alla Checca (from the "Family Dinner Cookbook")

And I'm also going to try this recipe for Dragon Tongue Green Beans.

CSA 2011, Week 9 (Plus, a FIVE Year Glance of Seasonal Eating)

Here's what we received this past week (on July 3, 2011, pictured above): Corn, Beets, Squash, Cucumber, Blueberries, Pattypan Squash, Green Beans, Carrot, Garlic, Green Pepper. Cooking with fresh veggies is becoming easier & easier as the years of CSA cooking go on. Now, I look at my basket and have a very good idea what to do with it. Here is a look back at what we've gotten around this time in previous years.
2010 Share, Pictured Above. And here is a look back at the whole range of produce from 2010.
Pictured above is what we received this time of year in 2009. And here's a look at the whole year, 2009.
June 2008, Above: I didn't photograph the whole year, but here's what we received one week in June of 2008. And look! I even took an occasional picture in 2007! This from June, 2007.

CSA 2011, Week 6

This week: Cucumbers, Blackberries, Carrots, Beets, Kohlrabi, Kale, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Onions, Cabbage, Snowpeas, Pattypan Squash

CSA 2010, Week 5

This week we received: kohlrabi, broccoli, onion, blueberries, Kale, buttercrunch lettuce, cabbage, beets. I'm still working to like greens. This week I made this greens recipe (with the kale, kohlrabi greens, and beet greens). I had some pancetta leftover from another recipe, so I used in place of the ham. Lance said it was the best greens he's ever eaten. We still don't love them, but we're making progress. We do, however, love kohlrabi! I roasted mine, and topped it off with a sprinkle of very good balsamic vinegar that we received as a gift. (Side note: Wow - have you ever had a good bottle of balsamic vinegar? I hadn't, but there is a huge difference. It's delicious!)

What are you cooking this week? Happy Cooking!

Cabbage Rolls

(pictured above, before cooking & adding the sauce on top.)
This is, hands-down, my favorite thing to do with cabbage. Cabbage Rolls are delish, although a few years ago, I made Bierocks, which also ranked up there!

CSA 2011, Week 4

This week, we received: a bag of mixed greens, strawberries, green onion, strawberries, kohlrabi, cabbage, radishes, snowpea, bibb lettuce, broccoli, lemon balm, and some dark green (mustard greens?). (We were traveling and missed week 3). I just looked back at 2009, and May was pretty similar. The only thing we didn't receive this year were garlic scapes. Bummer, I was looking forward to trying out some garlic scape pesto.

If June this year is like it was in 2009, here's what we'll be eating (it starts to get fun in June!): Various Spring Greens, English Peas, Green onions, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Swiss chard, Broccoli, Potatoes, Strawberries, Garlic scapes, Purple Cauliflower, Carrots, Onion, Potatoes, Herbs, Peaches, Garlic Scapes, Greens, Green Beans, Blackberries, Carrots, Onion, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beets, Broccoli, Radishes, Squash, Cauliflower, yellow zucchini, garlic, Green Pepper, Pole Beans, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Corn, & Garlic!!!

CSA 2011, Week 2

Another week of CSA Cooking! Unfortunately, no cinnamon rolls worked their way into my box this week. This week we recieved: Cabbage, Broccoli, Lettuce, Strawberries, Green Onion, Spinach, snow Peas, Radishes, Bok choi

This time of year we receive a bounty of green onions. Here are some of the things we do with them:
1) Freeze them!
2) Throw them on top of a baked potato
3) Test out this recipe for Asparagus, Green Onion & Goat Cheese Quiche
4) Or this Jasmine Rice with Carmelized Green Onions
5) Oh...And check this out. Chicken Breast with Goat Cheese, Carmelized Green Onions & Thyme.
6) And then here are even more great ideas for what to do with green onions.

See why I love the CSA? I never would have run across some of these ideas, had I not planned my weekly menu around how to use up some green onions!

This week I'll also be trying this easy snow pea recipe, steamed broccoli with lemon, cabbage rolls, & a bok choy salad (also uses green onions).

Feasting on Fresh

Last night we hosted a potluck dinner with some friends from church called "Feasting on Fresh." I adore potluck dinners, but always leave feeling so weighed down. So this time, we asked people to bring food inspired by whole, unrefined foods. I didn't want people to get weighed down by "rules" of what they could or could not bring, but just bring something in the spirit of the evening. We had such a great time, and the most amazing food!!! (See picture below: Please note that this is too many lemons. I could have added some sugar and called it lemonade.)The party started at 5. All afternoon we delayed the setting up, due to a 10% chance of rain. Finally, at 5:00 (as guests started to arrive), we decided to move indoors. It was a little kink in our plans, but it worked out just fine. We ate quinoa salad, russian carrot salad, collard greens & cornbread, wheat berry salad, kohlrabi/apple slaw, coleslaw, kale & white bean soup, cucumber & tomato salad, yellow squash & goat cheese custard, radish dip & crackers, cowboy caviar, asparagus, fruit salsa & chips, orzo & broccoli salad. And I'm probably forgetting some other delicious foods!! Dinner was topped off with some amazing cupcakes, cookies, pie and freshly whipped cream!
I made radish dip (I can't find the recipe online, but it's radishes, cream cheese, & green onion) and also summer squash goat cheese custard (pictured above).

Are you a church friend who would enjoy "Feasting on Fresh"? We invited people we thought would enjoy it, but we hope to do this again! If you would like to join us next time, let me know. We'd love spending time with you!!

Seasonal Spotlight: Radishes

Radishes. I'm still trying to figure those guys out. I've tried them a number of ways and just can't figure out how to make them in a way I enjoy. Don't they look pretty just like this? My friend Danna eats them raw. How do you like to eat them?

This week I'm trying this Radish Dip
This Steamed Radish recipe looks pretty easy.
Radishes with Pea Puree looks like a tasty appetizer.
Simple Roasted Radishes

Here are some more ideas of what to do with all the radishes on chowhound here and also here. And here are some reasons why I should try to love radishes. (I said try!)

CSA 2011, Week 1

It's that time again! Week 1 for Avalon Acres CSA. It's not too late to sign up either! Avalon Acres offers produce packages, meat packages, cinnamon rolls, breads, eggs. It's a great CSA, this is now our 4th year. In 2009, I took pictures (almost) every week, if you would like to see what a package looks like. Keep in mind, produce varies year to year, week to week. Even our package from this week will be slightly different from another person's box, because they split them up to give the greatest variety based on what they have. Pictured above is one week of the 1/2 Bushel (or "Produce Only Family Share").

Here's what we got this week: radishes, broccoli, kale, strawberries, lemon balm, lots of lettuces, green onions, & kohlrabi. Here's the complete list of "this week's harvest", from Avalon Acres. And look at this: A Suprise! We didn't order it, but I'll take it! And they are yummy.
This time of year we get lots of greens. This week, I'm going to try to freeze the winter greens (not the lettuces). This or this website show instructions on how to do this. I will freeze in small portions and throw in smoothies, lasagnas, or maybe puree them to sneak them into recipes. Have you ever frozen spinach or other dark winter greens?

I've never used Lemon Balm before, but this website says that "Lemon Balm is best known for its calming properties, and has been used for centuries as a mild form of drugs like Valium." Interesting. I'm going to throw it into some tea or ice water. I'll let you know if I turn into super-mama.

And here are a handful of kohlrabi recipes, but I think I'll just roast mine.

In Season: Peas

It is almost time for fresh pea season! I love this time of year. I hope I can get Ethan & Katie Belle to help me shell peas again this year. I keep hearing that if you can't eat peas immediately after they are picked, you should go with frozen peas. They apparently lose their flavor & nutrients very quickly.
Simple is Best! I love my veggies easy and unfussy. Here's how to make the peas.

SIMPLE PEAS: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. While the water is heating, remove the peas from their pods and place in a bowl. When the water reaches a boil, add some salt and the peas. You are just going to cook them for a very short time. Don't leave the stove. Somewhere between ten and thirty seconds. You want them just barely tender, so they still pop in your - mouth, no mushy overcooked peas please. Quickly drain. Return the peas to a bowl with a dollop of butter and a sprinkling of salt.

Here are some others worth trying:Pea & Mint Soup (there are lots of minor variations of this recipe online), Carla's Peas, And from Martha Stewart Kids: Roasted Pea Puree, Pea Gnocchi, Pea Fritters, B.L. Pea Sandwich, & Pepperoni Pea-zzas

Here's the rundown on why you should love peas.

Guide to Spring Cooking

I'll be checking this out in a few weeks when the CSA starts. Stuff to eat right now that's easy to find around here: Asparagus, Ramps, Garlic Snapes, Rhubarb, Arugula! Check out these & other recipe ideas on thekitchn.com.

Avalon Acres - 2010 Season Recap

Here's a recap of 2010! (I started late July, so this is missing half of the season from Avalon Acres CSA. Here is early and late July. (Remember, there are a few weeks of July we didn't get). We received:lemon cucumber, zucchini, pattypan squash, corn, yellow squash, yellow & green stripe squash, cucumber, potato, green beans, blackberries, carrots, kohlrabi, purple green bean, tomatoes, green bell peppers, & casaba (or canary?) melon.

In August (posts are here and here), we received: corn, melon, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomato, red tomato, yellow squash, peaches, green bell pepper, cucumber, potatoes, pattypan squash, eggplant, okra, butternut squash, various hot peppers, onion, green zebra tomato, & green beans.

In September (one week pictured below) we received: sweet potato, watermelon, cucumber, green zebra tomato, acorn squash, spaghetti swuash, purple okra, cherry tomato, tomato, eggplant, yellow squash, green bell pepper, lettuce, okra, melon, radish, pattypan squash, beets, green beans, delicata squashIn October we received: okra, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, cucumber, parsnip, apple, greens, cherry tomato, yellow squash, bok choi, eggplant, delicata squash, okra, green beans, kale, daikon radish

If you are interested in finding other local foods, I have thoughts on that here! And if you want a chuckle about how ridiculous the whole quest for local foods can be, you should watch this!

Avalon Acres - Winter CSA Recap 2009

I realize I never posted a recap of the Winter season of Avalon Acres CSA. Keep in mind, this was their first year - I think things changed quite a bit last year. Some of you might be able to share how it was different in 2010.Week 1: cornmeal, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, & peach preserves, green beans.
Week 2 (pictured above): Turnips (with turnip greens), Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Popping Corn, Sweet Canned Corn, Canned Tomatoes, Apple Butter, Whole Wheat Fettuccini (not pictured) & canned Tomato Sauce.
Week 3: homemade noodles, cherry jelly, tomatoes, corn, saurkraut, cornmeal, swiss chard, mustard greens, turnips, & green beans
Week 4: canned corn, popping corn, strawberry preserves, sweet potatoes, green beans, whole wheat noodles, bread & butter pickles, acorn squash, little pumpkins, Blue Hubbard Squash.
Week 5: pumpkin, blackberry preserves, corn, cornmeal, green beans, popping corn, fettucini, tomato juice, sorghum & sweet potatoes.
Week 6: blue cornmeal, corn, green beans, hot pickled okra, whole wheat fettucini, stewed tomatoes, & jelly
Week 7: Canned corn (2 sizes), popping corn, homemade pasta, canned tomato juice, peach preserves, apple butter & green beans.
Week 8: cornmeal, corn, popping corn, chow chow, saurkraut, tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, and kudzu jelly
Week 9 (pictured below): apple butter, apple jam, linguini, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, cornmeal, sorghum, blueberry jelly & saurkraut