Tag: romaine lettuce

  • CSA 2023 Fall Week 9

    Dill

    Arugula

    Oranges

    Galangal Root

    Romaine Lettuce

    Ripe Jalapeno Peppers

    Purple Daikon Radishes

    Medium Squash Mix

    Murasaki Sweet Potatoes

     

    We’re in week 9 of the Fall season, and temperatures have transitioned from cool to cold this week. It never gets old welcoming back citrus season in Florida, and when you open your box, Frog Song oranges will be there waiting for you to enjoy. Every item in this week’s share is from the farm, and dill also makes its first appearance of the season! It’s a classic and unique flavor in sauces, spreads, and dressings, but it pairs nicely with seafood, too. Dill wilts quickly, so to get a bit more longevity, place bunches in a glass of water, cover with plastic, and store in fridge.

    Check out the potato salad recipe below that subs purple daikon radish for potato and is seasoned with dill. You can also use this week’s oranges for the dash of juice needed and add chopped arugula for a peppery bite.

    Fresh galangal root makes a return to your box this week! If you weren’t sure what to do with the pale pinkish root in Week 3, we’ve got you covered. While galangal might not be a household name in the US yet, it is widely used in Southern Asian cuisine and has a storied history in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Medieval traditional medicines.

    Lesser and Greater galangal are the two most known and used varieties. Here at Frog Song, we grow greater galangal, or Alpinia Galanga. Native to southeast Asia, it thrives in our tropical climate and is the variety seen in many Thai dishes.

    So what does galangal taste like? Packing more intensity and heat than its rhizome relative ginger, it has notes of pine, citrus, menthol and black pepper. Some say it’s reminiscent of a pine forest. Those undertones are suited for the stews, soups, and curries you’ll often find it in. Don’t forget that it can be used in tea or homemade chai recipes!

    Have you heard the word kha in your favorite Thai dish? Galangal is called kha in Thai and is sometimes called Thai ginger. This week we’ve included two different Thai dishes that use galangal for you to try out at home. Both are easy enough to whip up and will hopefully rival your favorite take-out. One is a Tom Kha Gai, or Thai Coconut Chicken, soup and the other is a versatile peanut satay perfect for dipping chicken satay.

    Galangal can be tough, so be sure to slice very thinly, grate, our pound it. Thai curry pastes will often have galangal pounded in. It’s really the aroma, flavor, and nutrients you’re after, so in many recipes it will be discarded after infusion.

    When it comes to declared health benefits, galangal is a powerhouse. Since ancient times, it’s been used to remedy a variety of ailments and disease. The famous Benedictine nun and healer Saint Hildegard called Galangal “the spice of life.” Modern studies have found that galangal may protect the liver, prevent the growth of certain cancer cells, increase sperm count, improve digestion, and protect from heart disease.

    Galangal is a newer crop on the farm, debuting in Fall 2021, and we hope you’ve enjoyed cooking with it and learning more about it!

    This week’s recipes inspired by your share!

     

    Tom Kha Gai Soup (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    Ingredients
    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • half of one onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
    • half of one red jalapeno peppersliced; or 1-3 Thai chiles, halved
    • 3 ¼-inch slices galangal or ginger
    • 1lemongrass stalk pounded with the side of a knife and cut into 2-inch long pieces
    • 2teaspoons red Thai curry paste
    • 4cups chicken broth (vegetable broth is vegan)
    • 4cups canned full-fat coconut cream unsweetened, or full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
    • 2medium chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1 pound (sub with 1 lb. block of tofu if vegan)
    • 8ounces white mushroom caps sliced
    • 1-2tablespoons coconut sugar or 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos
    • 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons fish sauce, plus more to taste (use soy sauce if vegan)
    • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • 2-3green onions, sliced thin
    • fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
    Steps
    1. In a medium pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno or chile, galangal or ginger, lemongrass, and red curry paste and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until onions are softened. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
    2. Strain out the aromatics (the garlic, onions, lemongrass, and ginger) and discard. Add in coconut cream or milk, chicken breast (or tofu or shrimp), and mushrooms. Simmer until chicken breast pieces are just cooked through, then add fish sauce, coconut aminos (or coconut sugar), and lime juice, plus more of each to taste.
    3. Cook 2 minutes, then ladle into serving bowls and top with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro.

    Recipe by Cheryl Malik of 40 Aprons

    Peanut & Galangal Satay Sauce

    Ingredients
    • 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • ½ teaspoon fish sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 1 2-inch piece fresh galangal, peeled and thinly sliced
    • Fresh lime juice from 2 limes
    • 1 large shallot, diced
    • 1 stalk lemongrass, outer leaves removed, roughly chopped
    • ¼ cup neutral oil, like grapeseed or peanut oil, more as needed
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, tender stems and leaves finely chopped
    • 1 fresh green Thai chili, stem removed and thinly sliced
    Steps
    1. Add the peanuts to the bowl of a food processor and pulse 4–5 times until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.
    2. Combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl, and whisk to combine until the sugar has dissolved.
    3. Add the galangal, lime juice, shallot, lemongrass, and 3 tablespoons of water to the food processor. Pulse to combine, then drizzle in the oil with the processor running until the mixture is smooth, adding more as needed to help it come together. Add the brown sugar-soy sauce mixture and pulse a few times to combine. It should look creamy but still have a pourable consistency.
    4. Add the galangal mixture to the bowl with the peanuts, chopped cilantro, and chopped green chili if using, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as preferred.

    Recipe from MasterClass

    Purple Daikon Potato Salad with Arugula & Dill

    Ingredients
    •     2 heaping cups purple daikon radishes (trimmed and sliced into small, bite-size pieces)
    •     Handful of arugula, coarsely chopped
    •     ½ cup sliced celery
    •     ¼ cup diced red onion
    •     2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
    •     2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
    For the dressing
    •     ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
    •     1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    •     1 tablespoon orange juice
    •     ½ teaspoon salt – more to taste
    •     Freshly ground black pepper
    Steps
    1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the radishes in the pot and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until fork tender. Drain them in a colander and transfer to the fridge to let cool.
    2.  While the radishes are cooling, prepare the other ingredients. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, mustard, orange juice, and salt in a small bowl.
    3.  Combine the radishes, arugula, celery, onion, eggs, and dill in a large bowl. Pour the dressing on top and mix until coated. Taste and add more salt, pepper, and dill as desired. Serve immediately or, if the radishes are still a little warm, let the dish cool in the fridge for a little while longer.

    Recipe adapted from It’s a Veg World After All’s Lizzie Streit

     

     

     

  • CSA 2023 Fall Week 7

    Green/Yellow Snap Beans

    Romaine Lettuce

    Mississippi Purple Hull Peas

    Sweet Habanero Peppers

    Watermelon Radishes (COG)

    Acorn Squash (NSOF)

    Baby Squash, Mixed

    Murasaki Sweet Potatoes

    Turmeric

    It’s a busy week on the farm! On Saturday, we processed around fifty old laying hens. A few members of our team came out to help, and it was an eye-opening, learning experience for the first timers. We have team members who are experienced with the butchering process, and they were the day’s teachers. Here at Frog Song, chickens play a vital role in our soil health and diet. We feed them organic chicken feed and loads of veggie scraps each day, and in turn their manure fertilizes the soil. They peck away at pests and aerate the ground as they range and scratch. They lay eggs with rich yellow yolks for us to collect each morning. As chickens age into their golden years, starting around three to four years of age, their egg production drops off drastically. As our hens age towards the end of their life cycle, we then harvest them for stew meat. We are so grateful for our chickens and all that they contribute to the farm.

    This weekend marks the second annual Giving Garden charitable dinner at the farm. Under the moon and pole barn lights, a communal dinner will be prepared by the head chef of Afternoon restaurant and served by dedicated volunteers of the garden. We have donated our site, materials, and fresh ingredients in support of their mission to expand access to healthy, fresh food in Gainesville. Guests will get a chance to tour the farm and enjoy the grounds before their meal. A great time was had by all last year, and we are looking forward to welcoming back the Giving Garden crew! Tickets are sold out for Saturday’s dinner. Learn more about their mission and donate here: https://www.gainesvillegivinggarden.org/about

    And there’s more! On Sunday, we’re welcoming Elise Pickett from The Urban Harvest and gardeners from across the state. We’ll be giving a farm tour and discussing our regenerative practices here on the farm. Guests are welcome to bring picnic lunches. Come chat farming and gardening with us! Book your spot here: https://theurbanharvest.com/products/tuh-community-meet-up-farm-tour?date=2023-11-19&select=1700406000

    Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about what to prepare! This week’s recipes are Fall inspired side dishes for inspiration.

    Roasted Acorn Squash Salad

    Ingredients:

    • 1 large acorn squash
    • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • black pepper
    • 6 cups of arugula, kale, or lettuce mix of your choice
    • ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds

    Pepita Brittle:

    • ¾ cup raw, unsalted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
    • 2 tbsp maple syrup
    • 1 tsp olive oil
    • ½ tbsp minced fresh thyme
    • ¼ tsp salt & pepper

    Tahini Dressing:

    • ⅓ cup tahini
    • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
    • 2 tbsp water
    • 2 tsp maple syrup
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp sea salt

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat oven to 275˚F.
    2. To make the brittle, add pumpkin seeds to a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour over pumpkin seeds and toss well to coat. Spread onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake on the lowest rack of the oven for 35 minutes. Rotate the pan once halfway through baking.
    3. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking apart.
    4. Increase oven heat to 375˚F.
    5. Wash the squash well and pat dry. Slice off the tough stem at the top of the squash. Slice in half lengthwise and use a spoon to remove seeds. Slice into wedges, then dice into 1″ pieces. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast on a sheet pan for 35-40 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.
    6. While squash is roasting, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth. If the tahini is thick, you may need to use a blender. Prep baby kale and pomegranate seeds.
    7. Let squash cool slightly before adding to the salad. Toss all ingredients and enjoy.

    Recipe from: https://www.crowdedkitchen.com/roasted-acorn-squash-salad

    Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup safflower or sunflower oil
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons turmeric
    • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for seasoning
    • 4 heads cauliflower, halved, cored, and cut into 1-inch florets
    • 1/4 cup pine nuts
    • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon chopped mint

    Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine the oil, cumin, turmeric, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
    2. On two large rimmed baking sheets, drizzle the cauliflower with the spiced oil and toss well to coat; season with salt. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer and bake for about 1 hour, until browned and tender; switch the baking sheets halfway through cooking.
    3. Meanwhile, in a pie plate, bake the pine nuts for about 1 minute, until toasted. Let cool.
    4. Transfer the cauliflower to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with the pine nuts, cilantro, and mint and serve.

    Make Ahead

    The cauliflower can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight; reheat before combining with the pine nuts and herbs.

    Recipe: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-cauliflower-turmeric-and-cumin

    Roasted Murasaki Sweet Potatoes with Miso Maple Tahini

    Roasted Japanese Sweet Potatoes With Miso Maple TahJapanese Sweet Potatoes With Miso Mae Tahin

    Ingredients

    • 2medium-large Murasaki sweet potatoes (washed + dried)
    • 2Tbsp olive oil
    • Salt + pepper, to taste
    • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or green onion/scallions, chopped

    Miso Tahini Dressing:

    • 1/4cup tahini
    • 5Tbsp miso paste
    • 1Tbsp maple syrup
    • 1/4tsp garlic powder
    • 2tsp lemon juice
    • 2-3Tbsp hot water

    Instructions

    1. Start by preheating your oven to 400F. Line a largebaking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. With the skin on, cut sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
    3. Then, place the sweet potato cubes on your baking sheet. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out in a single layer, leaving room between each piece.
    4. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until sweet potatoes are lightly browned and fork tender.
    5. While the sweet potatoes are cooking, make the miso maple tahini dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste, then set aside.
    6. Remove sweet potatoes from the oven. Transfer to a serving plate or bowl. The tahini dressing can either by drizzled on top of the roasted sweet potatoes or served alongside them as a dip. Garnish with fresh pepper and parsley/green onion as desired. Serve + enjoy hot!

    Recipe: https://www.walderwellness.com/roasted-japanese-sweet-potatoes/

  • CSA 2023 Fall Week 6

    Green/Yellow Beans
    Bok Choy
    Grapefruit
    Fingerling Sweet Potatoes
    Radishes
    Roselle
    Arugula
    Scallions (LPF)
    Cucumbers, Pickling (SFO)
    Yellow Squash (SFO)

    Our roselle bushes are still bursting with calyces! This week we share two recipes to highlight this amazing plant’s versatility; roselle nourishes our bodies with loads of Vitamin C and minerals and nourishes our souls by giving a tangy shot of color to recipes. The curd recipe below is a classic example. If you’re tempted to make it without roselle, take heed. Sure it tastes lovely enough, but the egg yolks and strawberries are gonna give you something that looks a little bit like hummus. Not to knock hummus – we love it, but it’s not exactly beautiful. The roselle is what gives this curd multiple flavor notes and a beautiful Barbie-pink hue.

    With flu season upon us, we also share a simple fire cider recipe to keep those sinuses clear and ignite the immune system. Note that this recipe is a “quick” method and needs to be kept in the fridge. After a year, give it a sniff before you sip to make sure it’s still fresh.  Tell us: how are you loving our roselle? Send us your own kitchen magic and photos on IG @frogsongcsa

    Roselle Fire Cider

    Ingredients:

    • 64 ounces apple cider vinegar
    • 10 ounces honey
    • 2 medium onions
    • 2 large garlic bulbs
    • 4 ounces fresh ginger or galangal root
    • 2 ounces fresh turmeric root
    • 5 ounces horseradish root
    • 2 large pomegranates – When ripe they are plump, succulent, and garnet in color. Can substitute with 4 ounces of pomegranate juice for 1 pomegranate.
    • 2 oranges
    • ½ ounce dried whole cayenne peppers
    • 1.25 ounce dried roselle, cut and sifted.

    Instructions:

     Peel the garlic, and coarsely chop the onions, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric. Place them in a food processor or blender, along with the cayenne peppers. Add enough apple cider vinegar to cover. Work in two batches. Blend carefully with the lid on and take care not to let fumes or slurry get in your eyes.

    Place the mix into a double boiler.(Don’t have one? Nest a smaller pot inside a bigger pot or saucepan) Add the rest of the apple cider vinegar to the mix and keep the heat on low, with the lid on. Let the mixture heat on low; don’t let it get above 120°F (49°C) for three hours, stirring occasionally. Take care with the fumes – they don’t’ call if fire for nuthin’!

    Peel oranges and deseed the pomegranates. Mash the pomegranates and oranges with a potato masher in the sink.

    After a couple of hours, taste the mix. If it’s too mild, add more of the spicy herbs and cook for one more hour. After three hours of total cooking time, turn off the heat, and add the roselle and the juicy pomegranate/orange mixture. Let sit for one hour and check the color—if it’s too light, add more hibiscus. When the cider is a beautiful red hue, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or potato ricer. You’ll need to squeeze out or press the slurry, or you will lose a great deal of the medicine. (Don’t use your bare hands to squeeze out the cider or you’ll burn/irritate your skin.) Add the honey and mix well, making sure all the honey is dissolved.

    Place in sterilized, clear-glass jars, label, and refrigerate. Dosage is 1 teaspoon as needed.

    Roselle Hibiscus-Strawberry Curd

    Ingredients:

    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1½ tablespoons dried roselle
    • ¾ cup strawberry purée
    • 3 whole eggs
    • 2 egg yolks
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice
    • 2 teaspoons lime zest
    • 2 teaspoons corn starch, sifted
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch cubes

    Instructions:

    • Pulse sugar and dried roselle in a food processor until roselle is finely ground.
    • Prepare a double broiler, or fit a heat proof bowl over a large pot filled with an inch of simmering water.
    • In the heat proof bowl, combine roselle sugar, strawberry purée, eggs, egg yolks, lime juice, lime zest, and corn starch. Whisk to combine.
    • With stove on medium-high heat, cook, whisking continuously, until mixture thickens and reaches 170°F on the thermometer, about 4-5 minutes.
    • Remove bowl from heat and strain curd through a fine metal strainer to remove any pieces of cooked egg or hibiscus.
    • Add butter and whisk to melt and combine.
    • Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Serve with pastry, meringue, or enjoy alone.

    Bok Choy in Ginger (or Galangal!) Sauce

    Ingredients:

    • 6 small bok choys
    • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
    • 1/4 cup ginger or galangal
    • 1/4 cup water

    SAUCE

    • 3 tsp cornflour/cornstarch
    • 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
    • 1 tsp oyster sauce
    • 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine
    • 1 tsp sesame oil , toasted
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1/4 tsp cooking salt
    • Pinch white pepper

    Instructions:

    Cutting – Trim the base of the bok choy then separate all the leaves. Leave the delicate baby bok choy in the center intact, it’s precious! Cut giant stems in half lengthwise so they are all roughly the same size. Rinse in colander, shake off excess water (don’t need to dry fully).

    Sauce – Stir sauce ingredients except water until cornflour is dissolved. Then stir in water.

    Gingery oil – Put the ginger/galangal and oil in a large non-stick pan. Turn onto medium heat. Once the ginger starts sizzling, sauté for 1 minute until it turns light golden and is a bit floppy. Add bok choy then use 2 spatulas to toss the ginger for around 15 seconds to coat.

    Steam – Turn heat up to medium, pour water over. Cover with lid and steam for just 45 seconds.

    Sauce – Remove lid (bok choy will still be a bit underdone), pour in sauce, toss for 30 seconds until sauce changes from murky to clear, and thickens. Bok choy should be just floppy but still soft crunch, not mushy.

    Serve – Pour the bok choy and all the sauce onto a serving plate, then eat!

    Summer Squash Gratin – adapted from foodandwine.com

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2-4 scallions white and tender green parts thinly sliced into rounds
    • 1/4 cup dry white wine
    • 3 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
    • 3 medium yellow summer squash, cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 cup finely shredded Gruyère (about 2 ounces)
    • 1 cherry tomato, very thinly sliced crosswise

    Instructions:

    Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over moderately high heat. Add the scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and cook until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Spread in a 9-inch round baking dish

    On 2 large baking sheets, spread the zucchini and yellow squash and brush with the remaining oil; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the cheese and let sit until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

    Tightly roll 1 piece of zucchini and set it on the scallions in the center of the dish. Working outward from that center slice, continue rolling and coiling additional pieces of zucchini and yellow squash until you reach the edge of the baking dish. Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper, then tuck in intervals between the zucchini and squash. Scrape any cheese off of the baking sheets and sprinkle on top.

    Bake for 30 minutes, until the zucchini and squash are tender and browned in spots. Sprinkle with sea salt. Let cool slightly, then serve with crusty bread.

  • CSA 2023 Spring Week 6

    We hope you enjoy all the textures and flavors in this week’s CSA share! Here’s what’s cookin’:

    Green Beans

    Baby Cabbage

    Sweet Corn

    Romaine Lettuce

    Sweet Onions

    Peaches

    Bonita Sweet Potatoes

    Fresh Turmeric

    Cherry Tomatoes (LPF)

    Peach Storage Tips

    Our luscious peaches make an appearance in this week’s CSA share. We handpick our peaches at the peak of maturity, which means they’ll continue to ripen in your kitchen.  Nothing beats a perfectly ripe peach, but if you can’t eat them right away, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

    Peaches are loners. If they can’t be on a tree, they prefer to be alone. So, to avoid bruising, place then stem-side down, preferably in a single layer. If you don’t have space to indulge their solitary nature, go ahead and put them in bags or bowls together, just try to avoid stacking too many on top of any others.

    It is possible to stash them in the refrigerator for a few days. The cool temperature slows down ripening but take heed: this method will dehydrate the fruit. If that happens, and the texture becomes funky, all is not lost – time to make peach butter! Fruit butters are somewhat related to jams, but they don’t require pectin. Check out our simple recipe below.

    If any of your peaches are firm, give them a few more days to ripen. Store them unwashed on the counter, preferable not touching (remember, they’re loners), at room temperature. For a rush job, grab a paper bag (and a banana if you’re in a real rush) and tuck those peaches inside. In one to three days, you’ll be sinking your teeth into perfection!

    Mock shoes are delicious…what?

    The sweet corn in this week’s CSA share is the heart of the Maque Choux recipe shared below. The unusual name rhymes a bit with achooo (bless you!) and is pronounced, “mock shoe.”  There’s some debate about whether this is a Cajun French or Native American dish, but what everybody agrees on is that it’s delicious and hearty. What we love – beyond the flavor – is that it utilizes the best part of using fresh corn on the cob in your cooking: the “milk” you can extract from the cobs. This milk is starchy, sweet, and will add extra flavor and thickness to soups. The technique is simple: first shuck and remove all the kernels from the cobs. Then, using the back of a knife, scrape along the cobs to extract the liquid. Ca c’est bon!

    Recipes

    Vegan Cabbage Steaks

    Ingredients:

    • baby cabbage
    • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • ½ tsp. salt or to taste
    • ½ tsp grated fresh turmeric
    • 2 tsp. paprika
    • 1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

    Instructions:

    1. Cut the cabbage head in half, then in half again. You should have four flat discs of cabbage. Place the cabbage steaks on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper, allowing some space between each one to even cooking.
    2. Brush the cabbage with the olive oil, coating thoroughly. Generously sprinkle on the turmeric, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Flip the cabbage over and repeat, brushing with oil and sprinkling the seasonings. Top with halved cherry tomatoes and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
    3. Bake the cabbage steaks at 400°F for about 25 minutes, until the leaves are browned and the center is tender. Serve hot out of the oven.

    These steaks are great on their own, or serve them alongside your favorite pasta and sauce.

    Cajun Maque Choux adapted from Southerncooking.com

    Ingredients:

    • 6 ears of corn, one layer of husks peeled back, silks trimmed
    • 4 Tbsp. butter
    • 2 celery stalks, diced
    • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
    • 1 small poblano or jalapeño pepper, diced
    • 1 medium-sized sweet onion, chopped
    • 8 slices of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
    • 1 tsp. dried thyme
    • ½ tsp. smoked paprika
    • Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions:

    1. Smoke corn in husks on a grill over direct medium heat for around 20 minutes, turning a few times. Let cool, then cut off the cob. Take a second pass with the blunt edge of the knife, pressing to get some of the corn milk to release.
    2. Cook bacon and drain half of grease, reserve for gravies or other applications.
    3. Melt butter in skillet with bacon grease. Add onion, celery, and peppers. Cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add corn, corn milk, and seasonings. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
    4. Add cream to corn mixture, and simmer for 10 minutes, folding mixture to be sure liquid bathes the veggies. Once liquid has reduced slightly, take off heat.

    Peach Butter adapted from theprariehomestead.com

    Ingredients:

    Fresh, ripe peaches (roughly one pound of peaches per pint… roughly…)

    Sweetener, to taste (we recommend unrefined cane sugar or FSO cane syrup).

    Instructions:

    1. Start by removing the pits from your peaches and cutting them into quarters.
    2. Toss them in your food processor or high-speed blender, and process until they are smooth. (Be careful not to liquefy them– we are wanting a smooth puree, not peach juice)
    3. Next cook the puree so it reaches the perfect consistency. You have two options: a slow cooker or a regular ol’ pot on the stove.

    Slow Cooker Version: This method takes longer (anywhere from several hours to all day), but requires less babysitting. Simply pour your peach puree into your slow cook, and set it on low. You’ll want to crack the lid open to allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, your peach butter won’t reduce and thicken.

    Stove top Version: This method takes less time, but you need to be there to make sure you don’t get peach butter spewed all over your kitchen. Pour the peach puree in a large stock pot and set it on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning (and splashing) and continue to cook until it reaches the desired consistency (30-40 minutes)

    1. Perform a quick taste test to see if you need to add sweetener, then enjoy or freeze it for later.

  • CSA 2023 Winter Week 12

    This week’s CSA box includes:

    • Napa Cabbage
    • Dandelion Greens
    • Dill
    • Romaine Lettuce
    • Sweet Onions
    • Snow Peas
    • Watermelon Radishes
    • Fingerling Yam Sweet Potatoes
    • Cherry Tomatoes – Little Pond Farm

    If you take a whiff of the dill inside this week’s CSA box and immediately feel a sense of calm, you’re not alone. For centuries it’s had the same effect on people. The name means “to calm or soothe” thanks to its effect on colicky babies and nerves. It’s also great for women’s health, digestion, cholesterol, and a host of other issues. We love dill for helping us stay healthy and calm while making everything it touches more delicious! This week we share two of our favorite recipes below or, if you prefer to store it away for future use, here’s three ways:

    1. Refrigerate. Fresh dill can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Wash in cold water, remove excess moisture with a salad spinner, and wrap the bundle of dill in several damp paper towels. Place the wrapped stems and leaves in a plastic bag or airtight container. Store in the crisper drawer for up to two weeks.
    2. Freezer. For long-term storage that maintains a fresh flavor, freezing dill is the best option. Start by thoroughly rinsing. Use a salad spinner or kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Place the sprigs upright in a glass jar or lay flat in a freezer bag. You can also freeze chopped dill. Wash and dry it, chop, and portion into ice cube trays. Fill the trays with just enough water to cover the dill. Place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove the ice cubes and store them in a plastic freezer bag for up to three months
    3. Dried. Drying herbs is one of the most reliable methods for long-term storage. The best way is with a food dehydrator, but letting them hang upside down at room temperature for several weeks works too! You’ll know it’s ready when the sprigs crumble to the touch. Place the dried stems over a large bowl and use your hands to crumble the leaves from the stem. Store dried dill leaves in an airtight container or glass jar. With proper storage, the shelf-life of dried dill leaves is about twelve months.

    Avgolemono Soup

    Ingredients:

    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ½ to 1 cup finely chopped carrots
    • ½ to 1 cup finely chopped celery
    • ½ to 1 cup finely chopped green onions
    • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 cup rice or orzo
    • Salt and pepper
    • 8 oz cooked shredded chicken
    • ½ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 large eggs
    • Fresh dill and parsley to taste

    Instructions:

    1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high. Add the carrots, celery and green onions, toss together to sauté briefly then stir in the garlic.
    2. Add the chicken broth and bay leaves then raise the heat to high. Once the liquid has come to a rolling boil, add the rice (we prefer orzo), salt and pepper. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Now stir in the cooked chicken.
    3. To prepare the egg-lemon sauce, in a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and eggs. While whisking add 2 ladles of the broth from the cooking pot (this helps temper the eggs). Once fully combined, add the sauce to the chicken soup and stir. Remove from the heat immediately.

    Garnish with fresh parsley and dill. Serve hot with your favorite bread. Enjoy!

    FSO tip: add avgolemono sauce to the soup at the very end, and immediately remove from heat to prevent the eggs from cooking.

    Tzatziki Sauce

    Ingredients:

    • 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 ½ cups grated cucumber
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp dried or 2 tbsp fresh dill
    • 1 tsp lemon zest
    • 1/2 tsp salt

    Instructions:

    1. Grate cucumber with a cheese grater with the peel left on.
    2. Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl and mix well.
    3. Enjoy as a dip or spread.

    Sweet Potato Bread – adapted from fullasamother.com

    Ingredients:

    • 2 cups Sweet Potato puree
    • ½ cup filtered water
    • 3 large eggs
    • ¼ cup avocado oil (or oil of choice)
    • ¼ cup unsweetened almond or soy milk
    • ¼ cup FSO cane syrup or maple syrup
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup + 3 tbsp cassava flour (coconut flour works too!)
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp fine sea salt

    Instructions:

    1. Peel & cut sweet potatoes into 1” cubes and boil until tender. Drain water and strain.
    2. In a food processor (or blender), combine cooked sweet potatoes and filtered water, then blend until smooth. If the puree seems too thick, add more water 2 tablespoons at a time, until mashed potato consistency is achieved.
    3. Add eggs, milk, syrup and vanilla, then blend until combined.
    4. In a medium bowl, sift dry ingredients. Add to wet mixture in the food processor, and blend until fully combined, scraping down the sides half way through.
    5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
    6. Bake in the center rack one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in loaf center comes out clean.
    7. Allow the loaf to cool for 20-30 minutes, then remove from the pan and place on a cutting board to serve. Note: This bread has a wet texture. If baked long enough, the texture should be similar to a custard-like bread pudding – minus the bread! It’s perfect with fresh berries.
    8. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.