Broccoli
Last week's broccoli and goat cheese created the perfect palette from which to create this delicious warm salad. I served it at a dinner party on Friday and it was a big hit. It would be wonderful with cauliflower and without the cheese too. Serves 4
Cauliflower, Romanesco
Garlic
U-Choy
Tonight is cauliflower and yu choi quiche, also courtesy of Food 52. http://www.food52.com/recipes/10016_chard_cauliflower_and_caramelized_onion_in_cheese_crust
Eggplant
Garlic
Onions
Peppers
Summer squash
Tomatoes
It's a recipe for Baked Orzo Ratatouille I found on Food 52. I adapted it to include some of this week's full share veggies (including a leftover pepper from last week!) It was hearty and delicious (a nice twist on the usual ratatouille). Plus I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Original version here: http://www.food52.com/recipes/2754_baked_orzo_ratatouille Adapted version for CSA full share veggies
Turnips (Hakurei)
Turnips (salad)
From Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything"
Gooseberries
A nice easy pie with a sweet and tart flavor. You can sustitute fresh currants for the gooseberries if you don't have enough.
Cucumber
Radishes (Daikon)
Scallions
from the book "Christopher Idone's Salad Days". Serves 2-4.
Onions
Parsley
I couldn't think of any clever name for these but rest assured - they are a pretty nice addition to the standard backyard barbecue and will help use up a couple of CSA veggies to boot. Makes 6 patties.
Basil
Peaches
Scallions
Asparagus
A nice summer recipe. The sauce is good over fish as well.
Spinach
Strawberries
There are no measured amount for anything in this recipe - it's all done to tase so go nuts! * the sauce will keep in the refridgerator for about a week
Carrots
Garlic
Peppers
Summer squash
a great recipe from Mark Bittman. Lavender can be found in the produce section of whole foods. I reccommend adding the lavender to taste because it can be powerful. If you can't get lavender you can substitute fresh rosemary
Acorn squash
Basil
Butternut squash
Garlic
Onions
Butternut squash
Carrots
Garlic
Can be made 1 day ahead of time and cooled uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat in ovenproof dish with foil in preheated 425F overn for 5-10 minutes.
Garlic
Potatoes
Cabbage
Napa Cabbage
Onions
This is a tradional Russian recipe which I got from Mark Bittman's "The Best Repipes in the World." It can be a meal of its own or a good side dish. It can be eaten hot or cold and is good with sour cream.
Watermelon
An Indian drink that is great in the summer, I got this recipe from Mark Bittman's "The Best Recipes in the World".
Butternut squash
Onions
Prep time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, serves 8 A nice side dish
Gai Lan (Chinese broccoli)
Jalapeno peppers
Ong Choy (Chinese spinach)
Garlic
Summer squash
Basil
Cauliflower, Romanesco
Watermelon
If you want to use exclusively CSA berries, just freeze your berries each week until you have 5 cups worth. The recipes below are adapted from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything.
Cilantro
Garlic
Kolrabi
Onions
Scallions
Start saving your vegetable scraps to turn them into a delicious base for all your meals. When you are done cutting vegetables, save the scraps in a plastic bag in your freezer to use for stock. You can throw away the dead, ugly parts, but save the parts that you can’t use to eat. There are absolutely NO RULES to this recipe. The below is merely a suggestion to get you going. Add whole veggies if you want also (carrots, celery, etc.), but this recipe just uses what you already have on hand.
Bok Choy
Braising is a nice way to use the bok choy and it's quick, easy, delicious and healthy!
Cilantro
Garlic
About: This quick and easy recipe is very flexible, and can be adjusted to your taste. I make it without cheese and it tastes superb, but you could easily add some parmesan if you like. I use a lot of garlic and a significant amount of lemon because I love the way the spicy bite of the garlic and the brightness of the lemon complement the cilantro. However, if you are less enamored of garlic, reduce the measurement. Likewise for the lemon. This sauce is not only delicious, but also quite healthful. Cilantro’s cleansing properties, along with the antibiotic properties of garlic, make this an excellent spring food. Check out http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/cilantro.html for information about cilantro’s health benefits (or visit Sarah Britton’s blog -- mynewroots.blogspot.com -- for a thorough endorsement of the herb and another take on cilantro pesto).
Kolrabi
Parsley
Radishes
Scallions
Turnips (Hakurei)
Korean style spicy preserved vegetables without the shrimp-paste
Beets
Cucumber
Kolrabi
Lettuce/greens
Radishes
Scallions
This pretty pink Tuna Salad was really easy, healthy, delicious, and refreshing! It was 102 degrees outside so it was nice not having to turn the oven on!
Watermelon
This is a good way to use rhubarb, if you're not sure about cooking it. It makes an incredibly pink and refreshing drink and keeps for about a week in the fridge.
Bok Choy
Carrots
Cilantro
Summer squash
Five Squash Blossom Recipes Squash blossoms are a treat generally unavailable to all but home gardeners and habitués of farmers markets. They’re so extraordinarily perishable that few supermarkets bother trying to keep them in stock. Both the male and female blossoms of winter and summer squash varieties can be used interchangeably. The male blossoms appear at the end of thin stems and can be harvested without curtailing production of squash. . If using male squash blossoms, remove the stamens first. The female blossoms form at the end of the buds that grow into squash and are often harvested with the tiny, nascent squash still attached. male blossom Squash blossoms are edible raw or they can be incorporated into a variety of recipes. But once you’ve clipped them out of your garden or brought them back from the farmers market, don’t tarry long. “Be warned,” writes Kate Heyhoe, of Kate’s Global Kitchen. “Squash blossoms live about as long as mayflies—at worst a few hours, at best a few days, and only in ideal conditions.” Heyhoe has stored them successfully for as long as two days, “but not without rinsing them, letting them air dry on the kitchen counter, then wrapping them in paper towels, carefully nesting them in a sealed plastic storage container, and refrigerating them in the crisper at a precise controlled 34 degrees.” ________________________________________ Battered Squash Blossoms (With or Without Stuffing) The Batter: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup fat-free chilled milk, beer or water Cheese-Mushroom Stuffing: 1/4 cup ricotta cheese 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper 2 tablespoon mushrooms, finely chopped 1 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, minced 16 large squash blossoms, washed Canola oil for frying 1. Prepare the batter first. Sift together dry ingredients, then whisk in milk, beer or cold water until smooth. Cover and set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Leftover batter can be stored for up to two days. If it is too thick after refrigeration, add a few drops of water to return to original consistency. 2. Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing. In a bowl combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, mushrooms and basil. Open the blossoms and spoon about one 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture into the center of each. Avoid overfilling the blossoms. Twist the top of each blossom together to close. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes. 3. Pour the oil into a skillet to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat over high heat until a small cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden brown within seconds. 4. Briefly dip each stuffed blossom into the batter, then carefully slip into the hot oil. Cook until golden on all sides, about three minutes total cooking time. Add only as many blossoms at a time as will fit comfortably in the skillet. Transfer with a slotted utensil to paper towels to drain briefly. 5. Sprinkle with salt, if desired and serve immediately. NOTE: In place of the cheese-mushroom stuffing, try another of your favorite bread or meat stuffings. Source: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension ________________________________________ Squash Blossom Frittata 3-4 blossoms 1-2 baby squash 4 eggs Dash of milk 2 green onions Asiago cheese Chopped parsley and snipped chives (optional) Salt and pepper to taste 1. Pick 3 to 4 blossoms per person and 1 or 2 baby yellow or green summer squash. Rinse blossoms well and drain on paper towels. 2. Beat 4 eggs with a little milk. Add fresh chopped parsley and snipped chives, if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. In a non-stick pan, saute a little butter and cook 2 green onion and thinly sliced baby squash just until soft. Then quickly saute the blossoms for about 30 seconds and remove from pan. 4. Pour egg mix into pan, sprinkle and arrange the onions, squash and blossoms on top and cook over low to medium heat until almost set. Sprinkle with Asiago cheese and put under the broiler until lightly puffed and browned. ________________________________________ Squash Blossom Quesadillas 1 medium onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced 10 squash blossoms 1/2 cup chicken stock 3 sprigs fresh epazote, finely chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 flour tortillas 1/4 pound grated Mexican white cheese Olive oil, butter or margarine, for cooking 1. Heat a large saute pan with a little oil and saute the onion, garlic, and the roasted poblano pepper for 5 minutes, until the onions have become translucent. Then, add the squash blossoms and deglaze with chicken stock. Add the epazote, and cook for another 5 minutes until squash blossoms have wilted. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside to cool. 2. To compose the quesadilla, lay two of the tortillas on a flat surface. Distribute the cheese equally on both tortillas. Then, spread 1/2 of the squash blossom filling over the cheese. Cover with the other tortillas, place on heated griddle or nonstick saute pan with a little olive oil, butter or margarine, and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. When golden brown on each side, remove and cut into quarters. Source: Adapted from recipe demonstrated by Aaron Sanchez of the Food Network’s show, Melting Pot. ________________________________________ Squash Blossom Hush Puppies Dry Ingredients: 2 cups cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning or ground cayenne pepper to taste 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin Wet Ingredients: 1-1/3 cups buttermilk 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons corn oil or bacon drippings Vegetables: 1/4 cup minced onion 8 to 10 squash blossoms, coarsely chopped 1 cup fresh corn kernels Corn or canola oil for frying 1. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. 2. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Beat lightly with a fork to blend. 3. Heat the oil to 350 degrees in a deep-fat fryer or a large, heavy pot (to a depth of about 3 inches.) When ready to cook, mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir in the vegetables. Mix until just combined. Drop by spoonfuls into the hot oil and brown on all sides, which should take 2 to 3 minutes. drain on paper towels. NOTE: Hush puppies should be golden and crisp on the outside, and tender and moist inside. If the first batch turns out too dry, moisten the batter with more milk. Source: Kate's Global Kitchen ________________________________________ Squash Blossom Soup 1/4 stick butter 1 onion, sliced 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 pound squash blossoms (about 4 cups) 1 cup half and half Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Grated anejo cheese (for garnish) 1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Saute the onions, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes add the blossoms and cook 5 minutes longer. 2. Transfer soup to food processor and puree until smooth. Strain soup back into saucepan. Pour in the half and half and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and top with grated anejo cheese, a dry, crumbly Mexican cheese somewhat like parmesan, which can be used instead, for a somewhat different taste.
Cucumber
Scallions
This week, I have a wonderful recipe to share that came from the newsletter of my Alma Mater, IIN. This is also an easy dish to make for those Home Dinner Parties that you will be having with your friends and family to show them how tasty the Crown Heights CSA produce are. We got green onions and cucumbers this week, so show them off with this wonderful recipe. And remember, our purpose for having dinner parties is to raise more funds so that more low-income families will be able to enjoy fresh farm produce! If you have not signed up to host a dinner party, I encourage you to do so. If you need help with planing one or you’d like to get together with me and host one together, that would be fun too! Just give me a call at 347-240-1859. I am great a planning dinner parties. Enjoy! Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: None Yields: 4 servings
Basil
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Eggplant
Garlic
We’ve been getting so many eggplants! I made babaganoush last night, which was a super easy and tasty way to use them up.
Beets
Potatoes
Because the CSA’s vegetables will be local and organic, they won’t always be the veggies that we’re used to getting at a standard grocery store (where those “familiar” vegetables are often trucked or flown in from other countries, using tons of gas and preservative chemicals in the process). And Sang Lee farms specializes in growing Asian vegetables that a lot of non-Asian Americans aren’t familiar with. So since some of us don’t know our bok choy from our u-choy, or what to do with either, we’re starting a recipe exchange. I’ll kick things off with a recipe that got sent to me from CSA member Simone, a local holistic health counselor!

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Ari Feldman
July 10, 2012
6:30-8:30

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