Dilly Beans
Napa Cabbage (Clem’s Organic Gardens)
Red Leaf Lettuce (New Sprout Organic Farm)
Moringa
Sweet Red Cured Onions
Pineapple Pears
Cubanelle Peppers
Fingerling Sweet Potatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
The Tree of Life
The Moringa in this week’s share has deep roots, literally and figuratively. For centuries, it’s been called the Tree of Life. That’s a big name to live up to. Moringa meets the challenge. It’s mentioned as a cure of over 300 diseases in Ayurvedic medicine. Immune booster, check. Heart health, check. Anti-inflammatory, check… the list goes on and on. It has a heating virya (action), pungent, bitter rasa (taste), and pungent vipaka (post-digestive effect). Kapha and Vata doshas, take note!
Moringa has a some pretty high profile endorsements too. Moses used the seeds at Sinai to purify and provide drinking water. The Mauryan warriors who defeated Alexander the Great used it before going into battle – they believed it was their secret weapon. The stems and leaves you’ll receive in your share are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium. We toss a handful of leaves in our pan every time we make dinner so we can enjoy the amazing health benefits without doing anything out of our normal schedule (hey, we can’t all be Moses, right?). It’s so easy! We’re excited to share this extraordinary plant with you this week. Check out our recipes below and let us know your favorite way to reap the benefits.
Recipes
Moringa Leaf Stir-fry
Ingredients:
- 1 cup moringa leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon grated turmeric
- 1/4 cup grated coconut
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/4 cup shallots
- 1 tablespoon diced chili pepper
- 1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
Instructions:
- Wash and drain the moringa leaves. Get rid of all the thick sprigs. Finely chop the shallots.
- Crush the shallots with the flat surface of your knife. Chop them.
- Take the moringa leaves, grated coconut, turmeric powder, and salt in a mixing bowl and combine well.
- Heat the oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds followed by the chopped shallots.
- After the shallots are cooked to tender, add crushed chilies and curry leaves.
- Saute for a couple of minutes on a medium heat, then add the mixed moringa leaves and combine well.
- Cook with the lid closed for 10 minutes. Add salt if required. Stir occasionally.
- Open the lid, stir well, and cook for 2 minutes.
Moringa Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup fresh moringa leaves
- 1 frozen banana or pineapple, chopped
Instructions:
- Add almond milk, moringa, and frozen banana or pineapple to a high-speed blender.
- Process until the smoothie is smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
Pineapple Pear Slaw
Ingredients:
- 2 large stalks celery, julienne cut
- 2 Pineapple pears, peeled and julienned
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, (scallions)
- ½ inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Thai chili pepper, very finely chopped (optional)
Instructions:
Whisk together the ginger, lime juice and rice vinegar, then toss with the remaining ingredients. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
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