Yesterday, we picked up our first box in several weeks. But now, it is Spring and some of the spring produce is starting to come up. We didn’t get a huge variety, but we got a lot.
5 lbs of asparagus. Some of these shoots were the size of a broomstick, and others were obviously the skinny minnies of the field. But they all looked great. I found a recipe for a breakfast pizza that I will use the skinnies on and chop the larger ones into a spring risotto. Yummm.
5 pounds of asparagus!
Swiss Chard – We received two big bunches, which made my husband very happy. He loves swiss chard, but always seemed to be gone when it came around last year. He would hear my stories of sneaking greens into dishes so the kids would eat it, and he would pout. Yesterday, he steamed one whole bunch, stems and leaves, to serve with pork chops and rice.
This week’s haul!
Broccoli – We got both Green Magic broccoli, which successfully overwintered but does not have a tight head like my farmer felt a good head of broccoli should have. We also received sprouting broccoli, which he says is very similar to broccolini, except this has purple on the top of its head. I like the look of the purple sprouted broccoli, but he says the color goes away when it is cooked. Darn it!
Lentils – dried lentils. I have a pea & lentil cookbook, and the varieties of legumes do mix and match pretty easily. My daughter was shocked I would have a cookbook solely dedicated to peas and lentils. 🙂
Dried Sage – I have discovered that I can crumble the dried herbs on parchment paper, then pour them into my spice jars when I get tired of the dried spices piling up in the corner of the kitchen counter.
It feels good to get back into the swing of using my CSA veggies again. 🙂
csamom 
Lucky you to have asparagus already. Purple sprouting broccoli is one of my favourite vegetables – I don’t cook it for too long so that it’s still firm (rather than washed out and floppy like my mother in law cooks it).
I can’t wait to try the purple broccoli. I agree with you about limp broccoli. I’ve spent 8 years training my husband not to cook it too long, and he finally has it down. 🙂
How do you use the purple sprouting broccoli?
Just boiled or steamed as a side veg or (like asparagus) dip it into a soft boiled egg. But use it quickly because it soon starts to wilt.
Good to know. We will use it today.
Thank you.
Yum! Jealous of all of it, as we’ve got another month before the season starts here! I have one long butternut squash hold out, that I’m afraid to use because then there will be nothing left. Hmm, then again, I’ve got spaghetti sauce in the freezer and pantry . . . ok, so now I’m holding onto the butternut because I haven’t found the perfect use for it yet. That’s my story.
I’d love to get dried herbs–I should keep an eye out at work for a food dehydrator and DIY.
Thanks for a peek at your goodies!
I just found a new recipe to use my LAST butternut squash. It’s funny how using that last one becomes so symbolic. 🙂
Aspargus is something I’ve had to learn to appreciate. Growing up in Alaska, I never had aspargus, so it is a relatively new food to me. Someone suggested I try cooking it on the grill and also I’ve tried it on my electric grill with a little olive oil. I like it but I’m hoping you’ll post a new twist on cooking this odd vegetable that will really knock my socks off! I’ll be waiting! LOL!!!
No pressure, just knock my socks off. 🙂
I will work on that and try to get you more ideas this weekend.
Thank you for the request Susan.
Um, I think the breakfast pizza you just posted cannot be topped! Wow!!! I’m more than impressed!!!
Your haul looks quite green and lovely. I think asparagus is the cats meow, and I’d love to see a recipe for risotto using your asparagus. Purple broccoli sounds pretty fab too. Sorry I’ve got another 6 weeks or so before my CSA starts so I plan to live vicariously through you. Hope you don’t mind.
I am trying a new microwave risotto recipe. I’ll let you know how that works out – it does look a little questionable at the moment. I may not be the best one for vicarious CSA thrills. 🙂