Cabbage, again. Tis the season. This is the only disadvantage of being a CSA member: non-preferred ingredients, ad naseam. But it teaches you to be creative, think outside the box, discover new favorites, & I try to make the best of it. Thank goodness I have some new & old recipes at my fingertips.
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Chard
- Parsley
- Fennel
- Carrots
- Arugula
- Kale
I have yet to share the outcome of how I utilized the cabbage from the last box, & will do so soon, I promise. But here is a hint…
This time I plan to make another dish from trusty culinista, Heidi Swanson - “White Beans & Cabbage” from her latest book, Super Natural Everyday. I’m sick, again, so my taste buds are flat & I’d just like to keep it simple. This recipe looks rustic & hearty. In fact, here it is on the cover!
Speaking of being under the weather, I haven’t had much of an appetite, but I did have a craving today for something comforting. I’ve also had a hankering for vegan mac & cheese & a bit of inspiration popped into my inbox yesterday - “White Cheddar & Arugula Pesto Mac & Cheese”. Perfect use of arugula from the CSA, but hmmmmm….how can I veganize the mac & white cheddar part? I think I’ve come up with a plan. I’ll test it out & if it is successful, I’ll share.
I was very excited to see kale on the list, as I usually have to buy it separately. I am always up for kale. My CSA has recently begun adding recipes to our boxes & it’s wonderful. This week they included a recipe for “Kale & Potato Gratin” & were kind & amazing enough to add a “vegan adaptation” to the recipe. Thank you, Suzie’s! I will be making it for sure & will share the recipe here. Bring on the comfort food.
In other news…just booked a trip to the bay area. A quick San Fran-Berkely-Napa excursion. Leaving two weeks from today. Made a reservation at Millennium….yes! I need this more than anything right now. Things in my little life have been a bit overwhelming lately.
Baby it’s cold outside…for Southern California, anyway. After a few weeks of warm spring-like weather, I’ve pulled my trench coat, scarves & boots back out. I even wore mittens this morning when walking the dog! Yay! Since I belong to a CSA, I’m blessed with a box of seasonal produce every other week. I love eating seasonally & that means cooking lots of warm & hearty soups & stews in the winter. Like this…
Rainbow Chard & White Bean Stew
I flagged this recipe from Smitten Kitchen & posted it on my “Veganize It” Pinterest Board, knowing it would come in handy. Beans & soy products are my main sources of protein & creamy white beans are my absolute favorite. When I picked up my share last week & saw rainbow chard, carrots, & celery in the box, I knew exactly what I would be making over the rainy, winter’s weekend. Keeping with my goal of trying to use only local produce, I found tomatoes & garlic at another stand at the farmers’ market, making this stew 95% local, as I used canned beans & shallots from Trader Joe’s.
I took SK’s advice & served the stew over a thick slice of garlic rubbed & toasted whole wheat artisan bread from Trader Joe’s. I didn’t have sherry vinegar on hand, so I drizzled the dish with red wine vinegar, & added some chopped Italian parsley for an extra bit of herbaceous freshness. To “veganize it” I simply omitted the poached egg & cheese, which certainly were not missed.
I made this on a rainy evening a few nights ago & have had plenty of leftovers to sustain me through the beginning of the week. I love a meal that utilizes multiple ingredients from my CSA, but also feeds me on busy week nights. This is perfectly a cozy, stick to your bones meal & is as lovely over a bead of brown rice as it is over a piece of garlic toast. Make & enjoy!
It’s my last share of the year! I joined
Suzie’s Farm almost two years ago & it’s been one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Eating locally grown seasonal produce is a magical thing & I am so lucky to be able to do it. If you live in San Diego, or you have friends or family here why not share the love & give the gift of Suzie’s? Even though Christmas has passed,
Holiday Specials are still available, &
a gift subscription,
farm tour passes, or a
Good Farm Box would make a wonderful offering to yourself or loved ones who have healthful goals on their New Year’s Resolutions!
I am off to the Farmers’ Market pick up these goodies from Suzie’s:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Wee B Little Pumpkin
- Orange Carrots
- Head Lettuce
- Cilantro
- Kale
- Fennel
Yay kale! I might pick up some extra, because it’s about time to make some kale chips! In addition, I’ll be picking up veggies for my NYE Paella. I usually have a NY Day “Champagne & Paella Party,” but this year I’m changing it up. I am also trying a new recipe & will be making the recipe in my new Candle 79 Cookbook. I want to use as many organic & local veggies as I can find. Can’t wait to try it & tell you all about it!
What are your New Year’s plans?
It’s beginning to look like fall at the Farmers’ Market! I was so delighted to pick up my CSA box today & so happy to be getting back on track with my bi-weekly share. Looks like I am just in time for beautiful hearty greens & winter squash! Here is what was waiting for me today:
- Spaghetti Squash
- Savoy Cabbage
- Chives
- Red Frill
- Sweet Nardello Pepper
- Arugula
- Baby Red Eggplant
Suzie’s Farm provided a lovely recipe for “Gingered Spaghetti Squash” that I will likely make & share, as well as a simple recipe for “Simple Sauteed Cabbage.” I just might have to pick up some vegan “sausages” & have a German themed night? Maybe it’s been a while, but the contents of this box seemed a bit sparse today compared to previous boxes. This tends to happen as the seasons change, so I am anticipating a more substantial box next time around. I was really hoping for some beautiful greens & more winter squash. Bring it on!
I absolutely love my CSA, Suzie’s Farm. Not only do they provide wonderful fresh, organic produce to restaurants, farmers’ markets, & households across San Diego County, they frequently open up the farm grounds for tours, u-picks, & family friendly events! Here is what is going on this Fall at Suzie’s…
I really wanted to attend the Autumnal Equinox Dinner, especially after seeing this video, but the menu isn’t vegetarian. Come to think of it, Lucila, one of the farm’s owners is vegan, so perhaps they would’ve honored a veg request? Oh well too late now & not in my budget for this month! As I will finally have my weekends back beginning in October, I do plan to check out the sunflower maze & attend a pumpkin u-pick! Also…yoga in the middle of a sunflower maze? Sounds divine! Yes, please!
After work today, I am off to pick up my last share of the summer season! Here’s what I have to look forward to…
- Sweet pepper mix
- Onion 1
- Tomatillo 1lb
- Cabbage
- Tomato 2lb
- Lettuce
- Padron peppers
- Onion Sprouts
I thought I was in the clear with cabbage for the rest of the season! Well, as the weather cools down, I begin craving soup so I can always pull out my favorite Hot & Sour Soup recipe! However, what do I do with tomatillos? These are a first for me! Looks like I’ll be piled high under cookbooks tonight! Anyone have any recipes or suggestions?
- Cucumber
- Padron Peppers
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Summer Squash
- Beans
- Carrots
- Broccoli
Yay! Padron peppers are back at Suzie’s Farm! My favorite way to enjoy them? Roasted with sea salt! Yum! Check out a recipe here!
I’m having a bit of “large box envy” now. While I am happy with the amount of veggies I am getting in the small box, the large box always seems to have fun extras that I want! Dilemma!!!!
My fridge is totally empty & I can’t wait to stroll over to the Adams Avenue Farmers’ Market tomorrow to pick up my CSA box! Yay, tomatoes!!! Time to start scouring my cookbooks & get some yummy summer meals planned!
- Red Monarch Kale
- Cucumber Mix
- Socrates Green Bell Pepper
- Bloomsdale Savoy Spinach
- Zefa Fino Fennel
- Tomatoes
- Mixed Summer Squash
- Dill
- Basil
- Baby Arugula
- Melons
Yay! Tomorrow is my pick up day! I am so excited that I can now pick up from the Adams Ave Farmer’s Market in my neighborhood! Lot’s of greens this week, which is good! I’m leaving for Costa Rica in a month, & that means I need to do some detoxing & very healthy eating if I want to feel comfortable in a bathing suit! Ack!
- Onion Sprouts (2oz box)
- Strawberries (3-pack)
- Chard
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Fennel
- Broccoli (2 lbs)
- Beans (2 lbs)
- Summer Squash (yellow floridor, large zucchini, green eight ball)
- Mint
- Green Cabbage
Sweet!
Yippee! I feel like I have been waiting forever for this day to come: the grand opening of the Adams Avenue Farmer’s Market!
It was awesome to see so many people from the community come out to support this market! There were couples, families, kids, & dogs galore. It was also super cool to see one of the owners of Blind Lady Ale House picking out fresh goodies to create some “Farmer’s Market Specials” for tonight’s menu! There were so many vendors selling gorgoues seasonal & locally grown fruits & veggies…
Yay! Suzie’s Farm, my CSA!
I really want to try cooking with squash blossoms!
fresh flowers….
artisan cheeses, gourmet breads, desserts, snacks & more…
I couldn’t resist trying some of these fresh & natural cheeses from Spring Hill Cheese Company - smokey cheddar, white goat cheddar with sage, garlic goat cheddar. So good. I’m a sucker for cheese, so I could never be 100% vegan. I did ask & these cheeses are made with “vegetarian” rennet & shipped by a “vegetarian” shipping company. Right on!
Look at these macaroons!!!!
Yay! The Viva Pops cart, one of my favorite local businesses!!! The Lavendar Lemonade & Strawberry Basil popsicles are my favorite!!!
I still have so much left from my CSA share, but there were a few things that I could not resist, like a bag of these beautiful cherries…
or a container of this Vegan Curry Hummus & fresh baked pita chips, locally made by Baba Foods…
YUM!
One of the best things this farmer’s market has done for my neighborhood is bring business owners along Adams Avenue together to try to make our area safer & more walkable in the evenings. Several businesses are sponsoring “Night on Adams.” Businesses will be open later, there will be live music, happy hour specials, art shows, etc. I love my little community!
