Green Zebra Tomatoes

Another great thing about some CSA’s is that they are unfraid to try different heirloom variety tomatoes and this week was no exception, though the variety I am talking about is actually not a heirloom but easily misconstrued as one!  We got a ton of a rare variety called Green Zebra Tomatoes.

• 4 Green Zebras seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 jalapeños seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tomatillo chopped
• 2 tbsp of green banana pepper chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a non-metal bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.  Drain excess juice as desired.  Makes about 2 cups.

Final result:

Pass the totilla chips!

Even with only 4 heads of lettuce from last week, we did not finish it.  And we have more!  The high 90’s heat nearly wiped out what was left of the strawberries but we still got some.  Technically you can only pick up your PYO share on your pick-up day; the CSA was so desperate to get the strawberries harvested that there was a call on the website to come on down and get your 6 quarts even though it was not your pick up day. The call was truly answered as we only got three quarts today. 

Distribution:

• 8 heads lettuce (Bibb, Oak Leaf, Leaf) ($15.92)
• 1.5 lbs spinach ($10.48 )
• 1 bunch collards ($1.60)
• 2 bok choy ($8.25)
• 1 bunch radishes ($1.29)
• 2 heads broccoli ($7.98  )
• 3 qt strawberries ($17.97)
• 1 pt snow peas ($4.99)
• 30 sweet william flowers (share called for 100)

Previous Week’s Overall Total: $90.05

Total Estimate For This Week: $68.48

Grand Total Value: $158.53

What I Did/Am Doing With This Produce:

I made a Crustless Broccoli Quiche from a recipe that my mother mailed me sometime back.  Even with an added 1/4 tsp of white pepper and a tsp of chopped garlic scapes it was on the bland side.  But hubby said he liked it and thought it a good idea to create other variations of it.  Also the 45 minutes the directions called for did not thoroughly cook the quiche and required more than an hour.  Next time I ante up to 375 degrees instead of the called for 350.

I also made a Hot Radish Salad.  By doing this I washed both the radishes and their leaves thoroughly. Then I separated the leaves and put aside.  The radishes were cut into quarters and steamed for about 15 minutes.  While this was happening, I sauteed the leaves in olive oil and a little sea salt.  When the steaming was finished I combined the two and seasoned with Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning.

Final Result:

Dessert was a shameless pre-made cookie dough, but with super fast decorations. Here’s what I did:

I set the oven as directed.  And cut into 1/2 inch slices and then into quarter sized pieces.  In a small Pyrex bowl (any small bowl will do) I had mini chocolate chips and sprinkles.

I simply lightly pressed the cookie quarter into one of them and placed on my cookie sheet.  

Baked in oven as directed.  Voila!  No fuss, no muss! Pretty cookies as if store bought (so to speak).

I checked out the website and all it called for was only 4 head lettuce, small batch of arugula and 3 quarts of strawberries.  Boy was I in for a surprise and ever thankful to my hubby for getting me those wellies (OK, they are Gemplers) for my birthday. The mud in the PYO fields was near shin deep in some areas

Distribution:

• 4 heads lettuce ($7.96)
• 1 bunch Kale ($2.49)
• 1 bunch Collards ($1.60)
• 1/2 lb Arugula ($7.95)
• 1.5 lbs Spinach ($8.95)
• 1 quart Snap Peas ($4.50)
• 5 quarts Chandler Strawberries ($29.95)
• 1 bunch Anise Hyssop (PYO)
• 1 bunch Catnip (PYO)
• 1 bunch Oregano (PYO) ($1.99)
• 1 sm. bunch sage (got the flowers as I grow my own) (PYO)
• 10 Sweet William Flowers (share called for 40, I don’t have a vase big enough)

Previous Week’s Overall Total: $24.66

Total Estimate For This Week: $65.39

Grand Total Value: $90.05

Wondering what it all looks like?

Average Size of Lettuce Head:

That’s a quart container BTW.

Yeah, the Chandler Strawberries Are Organic!

What I did/am doing with this produce:

We barely finished the strawberries from the previous week and the heavy downpour from the night before and bumpy ride back home dinged a number of berries.  2 quarts were cleaned quartered and stored in the freezer (maybe I’ll make berry xmas pudding this year).  I will be making my strawberry/feta salad again on Friday for the kids’ last day of school picnic, and will probably toss in some spinach. The collards were steam blanched and frozen. Made Chickpea and Kale soup for supper (recipe below). The leftover stems, which are normally discarded I made into a small side dish in cajun style (sans bacon or ham). Enjoyed a handful of snap peas.  Spinach will be frozen tomorrow.

Chickpea & Kale Soup

The original recipe can be found here if you prefer using real chorizo (there is a turkey variety out there, but I have not found it yet) and a food processor.  My version is altered slightly.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup chopped onion (medium)
• 3 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 large or 2 small bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 potatoes cut into medium cubes with skins on
• 1/2 – 3/4lb kale, cut into this ribbons *
• 3 1/2 cups chicken broth of vegetarian equivalent
• 2 cups water
• 1 14oz can garbanzo/chick peas drained and rinsed
• 1/2 lb hot italian turkey sausage, casings removed

In a large soup pot (4 – 6qt.) over medium high heat, combine oil, pepper, bay leaf, onions and garlic and saute for about 6 minutes. Add broth, water, potatoes, and kale and bring to slow boil and cook until potatoes are cooked through, about 15 – 20 minutes partially covered.  While this is cooking, remove the turkey meat from the casings and make into small 1/2 – 1 inch meatballs.  When potatoes are done, reduce heat to low and gradually add the meatballs, then add the garbanzo beans. Simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes.  Remove bay leaf and serve hot with optional hot sauce, salt and pepper for individual preferences.

Serves 6

* Curly kale (which I used here) can be a bit of a hassle to make ribbons.  I found that if I take each leaf removed from the stem and tightly roll into a ball.  Then I very thinly cut into ribbons.  Not always consistent as when one would roll kale in to a ‘cigar’, but has a nice rugged homemade texture about it.  Be careful when cutting into ribbons as your fingers are very close to the blade.  Make sure you know the proper technique when cutting ‘at close range’ before attempting this!  Otherwise use a food processor or chop coarsely.

Final Result:  

Also with my goal of letting nothing go to waste and finding it’s way to my compost, I steamed  the Kale and Collard stems for about 8 minutes.  I then diced, added about 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar, a little dab of butter and a dash of cajun seasoning, Slap Ya Mama!  Very politically incorrect name for a product, but the seasoning beats Old Bay any day!  

My day job has been on major slow-down for the past few weeks and we are paying dearly for the big birthday bash that my hubby was so gracious in letting me put on for myself (he is off the hook for the next 35 years). After gas prices hit $3.35 for regular and one of us has to commute two hours a day we are really starting to feel the pinch. My nerves really started to go on edge when I read this blog post and this article to know that I am not alone.

What does this have to do with food? A lot, really. Food that is imported from other states and countries need fuel for transportation. At the time of this writing, oil is at $117 per barrel!

We are now more determined than ever to make sure the NOTHING will go to waste regarding our CSA produce, and gradually start converting as much as possible to a regional/seasonal diet. I found a very good web page that gives tips this very subject. Mind you, the web page is mainly directed at Northeasterners, such as myself. I also know that going to a more vegan-based vegetarian diet (and we are what is commonly called a semi-vegetarian, meaning we eat fish & fowl) might help with food bill, albeit a very small portion. Good thing we are not allergic to soy and nuts.

Over the next few months I will do my best in posting tips and sites that I find to help stretch your hard-earned dollar bill and ways that will avoid as much food as possible to going to the compost. Here’s a couple of tips off the top of my head that I do or should do.

Tip #1: Start A Veggie Garden
Your veggie garden does not require acres of land. In fact you might be surprised to know that my garden is only 4×4 feet using a method called Square Foot Gardening. I am not as active with the gardening as much as I’m used to since I have been using the CSA, but this can be geared to most people, even those who have no experience in gardening! Before joining the CSA I would have veggies (with the help of a 73 green house over the garden) from April going into November. If you live in an apartment with a balcony, use large pots, plant a tomato plant and add stagger over a week or two a couple of lettuce seeds around the tomato plant and it will love the shade! Instant salad. If you have absolutely no space, find a community garden. You meet some great people and exchange gardening tips and if you must, share your bounty with others.

Tip #2: Buy In Bulk
I do not do this often enough, but right off the top of my head, I would buy my poultry when it goes on sale in minimum batches of 3lb trays and divide them up into 1lb sections and freeze. It is also suggested to also buy flour, sugar, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate chips, and coffee in bulk as well and keep in air tight containers (not zip lock bags as they do not keep fresh and possibly subject to critters).

Tip #3: Save the skin & bones
Want to make some amazing broth and stock? Get out your slow cooker, add your left over skin/bones/meat from your chicken or turkey (never tried beef but can’t hurt, I’m sure) and fill with water. Using a cheese cloth, wrap some fresh thyme, rosemary, 1/4 of an onion, and parsley. Tie together and add to pot. Cook overnight on low. Next morning remove carcass, bones, and spice wrap and strain through a sieve. If you want to remove a goodly portion of fat, no kidding use a non-bleached #4 coffee filter in the sieve. When liquid cannot go through, it is too full of fat and replace with a new one until all the liquid is strained. Freeze in batches of 1 cup, pop out of container and freeze in zip lock bags. Pull out what you need in single cups.

Let’s hear from you regarding your best tips and sites!

Received a message on one of my professional forums that I subscribe to in which someone asked what is a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. In general, I think I do relatively OK in explaining, but I found this lovely YouTube video from Food Network that explains it best.If you are interested in possibly joining a local CSA this year, you can check out Local Harvest to find one near you.