Tag: Japanese eggplant

  • CSA 2026 WEEK 38

    From Our Farm

    Eggplant, Japanese

    Peppers, Jalapeno – Tricolor Mix

    Persimmons, Heirloom

    Potatoes, Kennebec

    From Our Partners

    Cucumbers – Watsonia

    Grapes, Muscadine – Watsonia

    Onions, Scallions – Tendwell Farm

    Squash, Spaghetti – Clem’s Organic Garden

    Tomatoes, Heirloom – Clem’s Organic Garden

    Try out this great recipe we found around the web that feature items from your CSA share:

    How to Prepare Spaghetti Squash

    Ingredients:

    • 1 spaghetti squash
    • extra-virgin olive oil
    • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions:

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and ribbing. Drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    • Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on the baking sheet and use a fork to poke holes. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm. The time will vary depending on the size of your squash. I also find that the timing can vary from squash to squash.
    • Remove from the oven and flip the squash so that it’s cut side up. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands from the sides of the squash.

    Tip: If your squash is too hard to cut, soften it slightly in the oven or microwave before slicing it in half.

    Option 1: Roast the squash whole. Prick it all over with a fork and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes to make it easier to cut.

    
Option 2: Microwave the squash. Prick it all over with a fork and microwave in 1-minute bursts until it’s soft enough to cut.

    Then, cut the squash in half and proceed with the recipe!

    Recipe adapted from: https://www.loveandlemons.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/#wprm-recipe-container-77304

  • CSA 2026 WEEK 30

    From Our Farm

    Basil, Tulsi

    Eggplant, Japanese

    Peppers, Sweet Habanero

    Potatoes, Purple

    Sweet Potato Greens

    From Our Partners

    Beets – Clem’s Organic Gardens

    Kale, Curly – Tendwell Farm

    Tomatoes, Slicer – Tendwell Farm

    Watermelon, Seedless – Watsonia

    Try out this great recipe we found around the web that feature items from your CSA share:

    Japanese-Style Mabo Eggplant with Tomato

    Ingredients:

    • 2 Japanese eggplants
    • 1 tomato (large)
    • 1/2 block firm tofu
    • 80 g (2.8 oz.) ground pork
    • 1 knob ginger (minced)
    • a small amount chili pepper (cut into rounds)
    • 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
    • a small amount of sesame oil
    • Japanese pepper powder as desired

    Sauce

    • 80 ml (2.7 fl. oz.) dashi/bonito broth
    • 1 Tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce
    • 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
    • 1 & 1/3 Tbsp sake (cooking sake)
    • 2/3 Tbsp sugar
    • 1/2 tsp potato starch (or cornstarch)

    Instructions:

    1. Wrap the tofu in a paper towel and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
    2. Roughly chop up the eggplants, slice the tomato into wedges.
    3. Mix together sauce ingredients.
    4. Heat the vegetable oil in a fry pan over medium heat and sauté the ginger, taking care not to scorch it.
    5. Once fragrant also saute the ground meat while breaking it apart. When half of the meat is browned, add in the eggplants (2) and the red chili pepper and sauté.
    6. Once the meat is crumbly, quickly re-mix and then add in sauce mixture and bring the mixture to a boil.
    7. Tear up the tofu while adding in, also add in the tomato, give all ingredients a quick stir and then allow to simmer for a short time.
    8. Drizzle in some sesame oil for aromatic effect, then turn off the heat. Sprinkle on Japanese pepper powder if desired.

    Recipe adapted from: https://www.kikkoman.com/en/cookbook/recipe/00001265.html?

  • CSA 2026 WEEK 28

    From Our Farm

    Basil, Thai

    Eggplant, Japanese

    Peppers, Jalapeno – Tricolor Mix

    From Our Partners

    Beets – Clem’s Organic Garden

    Corn, Sweet – Watsonia

    Kale, Lacinato – Tendwell Farm

    Romaine – Tendwell Farm

    Squash, Zucchini – Watsonia

    Tomato, Cherry – Watsonia

    Try out this great recipe we found around the web that feature items from your CSA share:

    Spicy Thai Basil Eggplant

    Ingredients

    2 tbsp neutral oil, like avocado or grape seed (30 mL)
    2 Japanese eggplants, halved lengthwise, then cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 6 cups/420 g)
    1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (approx. 140 g/1.5 cups)
    1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (approx. 140 g/1.5 cups)
    1 onion, thinly sliced (approx. 155 g/1.5 cups)
    4 garlic cloves, minced or grated (heaping 1 tbsp/20 g)
    1- inch ginger, peeled then grated (1 tbsp/20g)
    1-2 red Thai chili, seeds removed, if desired, thinly sliced
    1 bunch Thai basil, torn (15 g, about 1 cup torn)
    3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce, 45 mL
    1 tbsp dark soy sauce, or soy sauce/tamari, 15 mL
    3 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce, 54 g
    1 tbsp rice vinegar, 15 mL
    1 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar, 20 g
    ¼ cup cold water, 60 mL
    2 tsp cornstarch

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce (or additional soy sauce), vegetarian oyster sauce, rice vinegar and maple syrup until combined. In a separate small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and cold water. Set both aside.
    2. Cook the Eggplant: Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the eggplant and toss to coat in the oil. Spread the pieces evenly around the pan in one layer. Sprinkle a little water over the eggplant, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes, flip the pieces and sprinkle with a little more water, cover and cook another 2 minutes. Remove the lid and stir fry until the eggplant is golden brown. It should be tender but still holding its shape. Remove the eggplant from the pan and set aside.
    3. Stir Fry Peppers & Onions: Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil over medium-high. Add onions and peppers. Cook for 5-6 min, stirring often, until tender-crisp.
    4. Add Aromatics: Add garlic, ginger and Thai chili. Cook for 1 min, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
    5. Add Sauce: To the pan, add the sauce and cornstarch slurry, making sure to re-mix the slurry as the cornstarch will have settled to the bottom.
    6. Add Eggplant and Thai Basil: Bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium. Add eggplant to the pan. Cook for another 2 minutes stirring often, until slightly reduced, saucy and eggplant absorbs some of the sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the Thai basil.

    Recipe adapted from: https://runningonrealfood.com/thai-basil-eggplant/

    Find more of our Recipes, CSA and original, here!

  • CSA 2026 SPRING WEEK 9

    From Our Farm

    Cantaloupe Melons

    Collards

    Eggplant, Japanese

    Radishes, Purple Daikon

    From Our Partners

    Blueberries – Blackwater Farms

    Cabbage, Napa – Blackwater Farms

    Lettuce, Red Leaf – Tendwell Farm

    Stone Fruit Medley – Watsonia

    Try out these great recipes we found around the web that feature items from your share:

    Mojito Fruit Salad

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 seedless watermelon (about 5 lbs)
    • 2 cups chopped peaches, plums, mango, or any in-season fruit
    • 1 small honeydew or cantaloupe (about 4 lbs), seeds removed
    • 1 pint blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries
    • 2 limes
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh mint leaves

    Instructions:

    1. Using a 1-inch melon baller, scoop the flesh from the watermelon and arrange in an even layer in a 2½- to 3-qt trifle bowl. Top with a layer of the peaches. Using melon baller, scoop the flesh from the honeydew and add to bowl in an even layer. Top with a layer of the berries.
    2. Zest the limes into a small bowl. Halve 1 lime and squeeze the juice into same bowl. Add the honey and mint and stir to combine. Pour dressing over fruit in bowl. Toss just before serving, if desired.

    Adapted from: https://www.savoryonline.com/recipes/mojito-fruit-salad-all-summer-any-fruit-salad/

  • CSA Summer 2023 Week 7

    Frog Song Organics
    Japanese Eggplant
    Pineapple Pears
    Sweet Potato Greens
    Ripe Jalapeno Peppers
    Clem’s Organic Gardens
    Carrots
    High Springs Orchard
    Mint
    OSO Sweet Farms
    Sweet Vidalia Onions
    TendWell Farm
    Butternut Squash
    New Sprout Organic Farms
    Grape Tomatoes
    Watsonia Organic Farm
    Zucchini

    The mint in this week’s share follows recent deliveries of powerful medicinal herbs like Tulsi basil and Moringa. Of course these fresh herbs are a delicious, healthy addition to any meal, but they can also be dried for teas or made into tinctures. The process to make tinctures is a cinch! All you need is a jar, high-proof alcohol, and the herbs of your choice. Fill the jar with the herbs, add alcohol, and voilà!  Just make sure the herbs are completely submerged in the alcohol and that the lid is tight.

    Next, wait. Let it steep for two to four weeks. This is when the magic happens. The alcohol will extract the active compounds from the herbs and create a concentrated tincture. When it’s time, strain the herbs out of the tincture using a cheesecloth or a fine strainer.

    Storage is important! Tinctures should be stored in airtight, dark glass bottles in a cool, dark place. It’s also important to label the bottles with the ingredients and date to keep track of their freshness. Done correctly, your tinctures can last for years! We share a recipe for a mint tincture below (you can also use chocolate mint!), along with some yummy ways to use it. Herbal extracts aren’t just medicinal – they’re often delicious as well!

    Mint Extract

    Lightly break up the leaves of one bunch mint to release the natural oils. Place the leaves in a pint jar (full but not packed down). The leaves should have room to swish around and be completely covered by the liquid.

    Many recommend using 80 proof vodka to make extracts; since vodka has little to no taste of its own, it allows the extract to fully be flavored by the plant material. Pour the vodka over the leaves, covering completely. Close the jar tightly, store away from natural light, like the back of a shelf or the back of a cupboard.

    Every day or so, take the jar out and shake it up gently to distribute the leaves. Place it back in the dark. Repeat and store for 2-4 months.

    What to do with your mint extract?

    • Use a drop or two in your coffee, tea or hot cocoa
    • It is delicious in ice cream! Add a tablespoon to flavor homemade batch of ice cream.
    • Use in baked goods along with vanilla extract

    Recipes

    Butternut Squash and Kale Stir Fry

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced.
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon chile powder (more to taste)
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 bunch kale, leaves torn, stalks discarded

    Instructions:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the squash and sprinkle with the salt, chile powder and pepper. Cook for several minutes, turning gently with a spatula, until the squash is deep golden brown and tender (but not falling apart). Remove to a plate and set aside.
    • In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat and add in the kale. Toss with tongs and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in the cooked squash and gently toss together.

    Grilled Japanese Eggplant – shared by CookingWithJacque.Com

    Ingredients:

    • ¼ cup Ponzu or soy sauce*
    • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar or other favorite vinegar
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

    Slice eggplant very thin lengthwise. Marinate in soy sauce mixture for at least 10 minutes. Lift from marinade and place on preheated grill. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side. Serve with Couscous or rice pilaf and feta cheese.

    *Ponzu is a citrus flavored soy like sauce that adds a complex flavor to this marinade. Soy sauce is a good substitute. Both products are a fermented produce that contains probiotics. Produce such as Japanese eggplant is a prebiotic that works with the probiotics to maintain gut health.