Notes from the Farm

All is well on the farm.  The vegetable and weeds alike are growing like crazy after the rains and now this hot weather. Our blog master Renee is on vacation (hope you’re having fun Renee!) so I am winging it.   Enjoy the food.

This Week’s CSA

Your CSA box will include:

Salad mix

The trick to storing salad greens is to place them in a container (or plastic bag) with a paper towel in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. You can wash and spin dry the salad mix first for easy use. Change the paper towel regularly if needed.

In addition to traditional salads, greens can be roasted, used as a topping for pizza, or added to green smoothies!

parsley

The leaves can be minced and used fresh to brighten the flavor of sauces and soups. The stems can be saved and used for adding to stocks or flavoring soup base. If the stem is tender it can be minced and added to your dish. Dried parsley tends to lose flavor quickly so it is best used fresh.

fresh garlic

Fresh garlic is milder than mature cloves so feel free to use a healthy dose in cooking. Fresh garlic is also easy to peel. Cut off the dried core end of the clove and using the tip of a knife, lift up the skin to remove.

fennel

Small bulbs are best for salads since they are tender, while larger bulbs are best suited for braising and baking.

Fennel pairs well with olive oil, butter, thyme, orange, lemon, tomatoes, potatoes, olives, garlic, Parmesan and Gruyere cheese. If thinly sliced, the bulb makes a nice addition to an antipasti platter or goes well with pork.

strawberries

Store strawberries in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, and use them as quickly as possible.

In addition to being consumed fresh, strawberries can be frozen, made into preserves, as well as dried and used in prepared foods, such as cereal bars.

dock leaves

Leaves can be added raw to salads for brightness, or can be  mixed with greens for cooking. Dock can be treated like spinach when cooking, just don’t cook it too long or it will turn mushy. If cooking with other greens add towards the end.

Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; excess condensation will cause leaves to disintegrate so they are best used within a few days.

Red Russian kale

The dark green, red-stemmed Russian kale may be one of the sweetest greens in the kale family. The tips of the leaves are tender enough to be eaten raw, but are  improved by cooking which tenderizes the tough parts of the leaf. Russian kale has tough, woody stems, however, so be sure to remove as much of them as possible before cooking.

epazote

Epazote is a Latin American herb that comes with a very distinct smell and taste. Its smell can be unappealing when raw, but will soften with cooking.

Epazote is best used fresh but can be dried; hang upside down in a cool, dark, well ventilated spot. Once dried, store in a cool, dark spot for up to 6 months.

If you won’t be drying the herb, it is great used fresh in rice and bean dishes. Roughly chop the leaves and add fresh to your burritos, quesadillas or enchiladas.

marjoram

Marjoram is part of the mint family, which gives it a slightly minty flavor. Some compare the herb to oregano but it is sweeter and lacks the resinous flavor of oregano. It can be substituted for basil in most recipes (about two-thirds as much) since it pairs well with similar foods. Marjoram is present in many Mediterranean cuisines and was even used by early Greeks in funeral rights to symbolize their loved ones’ happiness both in life and beyond.

arugula blossoms

Arugula is in the brassicaceae family, related to broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.  It is loaded with folic acid and Vitamin A, C, and K.  This yummy green comes from the Mediterannean and can be added raw in Italian pasta dishes, and sauces and salads.

Recipes

Shaved Fennel salad

source:  adapted from Simply Recipes

Arugula Pesto

I’ve discovered that you can make pesto out of many combinations of greens and herbs.  You could add parsley to this recipe.  Yum.

source: adapted from Simply Recipes