My roommate and I have just started a farm share, where we pick up a box of produce from a local farm once a week. This week is our first week, and since the season is just starting, we got mostly greens--kale, beet greens, lettuce, and rainbow chard. Along with the greens, we got the sweetest strawberries I've ever eaten, and yellow beets.
I've never been one to be too adventurous in the kitchen, so I'm excited to get the chance to go outside of my comfort zone. Sunday night, we used the kale and beet greens for dinner and made roll-ups, rolling the leaves with a filling of ricotta cheese, spices, parmesan, and quinoa, and then baking them with olive oil, garlic, olives, and tomatoes. It was different, and very flavorful. Also, we had leftovers enough for lunch and dinner for two days!
Tonight, after a long day at work, I came home and cooked up the rainbow chard--the dark green leaves were veined with crimson and fuschia, and the colors actually brightened up my mood. I added the chard to linguine and scallops with a scampi sauce--surprisingly quick and easy!
I'm looking forward to a summer of fresh fruit and vegetables, and eating more healthfully, creatively, and locally as a result.
I love the idea of this. Something I'll definitely have to try next summer... :)
ReplyDeleteWoah, cool! I'm so glad you're enjoying this, and doing it! Derek and I did one a co-op box a year or so ago, but we kept wasting so much food we finally cancelled and opted for farmer's markets instead. Nicole & Mitra have done it for years and make the most amazing things from their veggies. It's great if it will inspire you to try different things, and if you keep up with it! I think I'm going to try again at some point in the future.
ReplyDeleteMmm, veggies. My roommate just got four weeks of produce delivery as a gift, so I'll tell him to check something like you did out once his deal expires.
ReplyDeleteoh the beets.. My fav is boiling them for a little bit, then slicing them thinly and frying them in a little butter and brown sugar. Throwing them in spinach with goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette is my fav summer salad. Lovely!
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