First Box of 2011 Season

Today's the first day of our 2011 CSA season.  There really is nothing like a fresh box of produce direct from the farm once a week.  If you've not tried a CSA subscription, we highly recommend you do.  For those new to the idea, here are some tips:

• What is a CSA?
• Getting Started with a CSA
• Find a CSA in Your Area

This week's box contains:

• Baby Carrots
• Cilantro
• Purple Top Turnips
• Loose Spinach
• Calcot Onions
• Winter Density Lettuce
• Delicata Squash
• Collard Greens
• Baby Leeks

By item, here's my plan:

Baby Carrots
Lightly steamed and tossed with butter and salt as a simple side dish.

Cilantro
Cilantro chutney.  I'll pick up some pre-made samosas and serve with the chutney.  Here's a great video with a recipe and demonstration ~ note the serious blender. Note, this can be frozen, which is really handy.

Purple Top Turnips
I'll roast these with truffle salt (this stuff is magic).  They are very small, so I'll trim the greens, halve them, toss with olive oil and salt, then roast for 15 minutes or so at 425 degrees.

Loose Spinach
I found a recipe for spinach "brownies" to try with my 5 year old goddaughter, who's with us for the weekend.  These are not the "sneak spinach into chocolate kind", but rather a savory bar made from spinach and cheese.

Calcot Onions
These look like big green onions.  No idea what I'm going to do with them.

Winter Density Lettuce
I am not a salad fan.  To the office it goes for sharing with an interested co-worker.

Delicata Squash
No idea, maybe some soup with the onions?

Collard Greens
If time permits, I'm going to try the Collard Wraps with Lemon Herb Crudite from BluePrintCleanse.

Baby Leeks
Braised with cream, an all time favorite.  Here's a good recipe: Leeks with Cream and Tarragon from Orangette. A friend just gave me a copy of Molly's book, A Homemade Life. Can't wait to read it.