csa week 10

just in time for this week 11 pickup...
thanks to b. crocker for the beauteous cornucopia pic and for actually picking all this stuff up while i was out of town (more about that in a future post). the photo probably gives an accurate idea of how much produce there is to lug home.

1. the bounty

• 5 small hot peppers
  
• 1 bunch collard greens
  
• 1/4 lb wild arugula
  
• 1 head romaine lettuce
  
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe
  
• 1/4 lb green beans
  
• 1/4 lb mesclun
  
• 1/3 lb sweet potatoes
  
• 1/3 lb potatoes
  
• 1 bunch red radishes
  
• 1/4 lb braising greens
• 2 pears
• 8 apples

2. cost analysis (comparison costs courtesy of freshdirect except where otherwise indicated):

veggies:

• 5 small hot peppers: $1 (guesstimate)
  
• 1 bunch collard greens: $3 (organic)
  
• 1/4 lb wild arugula: $3
  
• 1 head romaine lettuce: $3 (organic)
  
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe: $3 (organic not available)
  
• 1 qt green beans: $2.50 (organic not available)
  
• 1/4 lb mesclun: $3 (organic not available)
  
• 1/2 lb sweet potatoes: $4 (organic)
  
• 1/2 lb potatoes: $2 (organic)
  
• 1 bunch red radishes: $1 (organic not available)
  
• 1/4 lb braising greens: $3 (guesstimate)
  

= $28.50
actual csa cost per week = $22

fruit:

• 2 pears: $2 (organic)
  
• 8 apples: $9 (organic)

=$11
actual csa cost per week = $11.67

b. crocker, care to share any dish highlights with us? sorry, everyone, i didn't get my hands on the produce this time around. (since i'm sure all 4 loyal readers are dying to know what i cooked...)

spaghetti squash (csa week 9)

if you've never experienced the true magic of a spaghetti squash, i suggest you do so. seriously, go get one, roast that sh*t up and prepare yourself. truth be told, this was the first time i had ever made spaghetti squash. i know everyone raves about it but it was just one of those things i hadn't quite gotten around to making. enter csa week 9.

when i took my roasted squash out of the oven, my reaction was something like, "oh hell no, they told me this was a spaghetti squash and it just looks like a normal boring squash. so much for lunch." but then i stuck my fork in the thing and as per my internet instructions read, pulled the fork down through the thing. voila! magic, i swear. it's the simple things in life, clearly, as i spaghettified my squash with a giant grin plastered to my face.

roasted spaghetti squash
the amazing knowledge of the internet says to try and split these things before you put them in the oven. scrape out the seeds, put them on a pan face down and roast at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes, until they are tender. (i undercooked mine and then just finished them off in the microwave. you can also microwave from start to finish)
i topped mine with some marinara sauce and parmesan cheese.

csa week 9

1. the bounty

• 2 stalks edamame
  
• 1 bunch arugula
• 1 head romaine
• 1/2 lb bok choy
• 1 head cabbage
• 1 winter squash
• 1 bunch swiss chard
• 4 giant peaches
• 7 pears
  

2. cost analysis (comparison costs courtesy of freshdirect except where otherwise indicated):

veggies:

• 2 stalks edamame: $1 (random guess)
  
• 1 bunch arugula: $3 (organic not available)
  
• 1 head romaine: $3 (organic)
  
• 1/2 lb bok choy: $2 (organic)
  
• 1 head cabbage: $3.50 (organic)
  
• 1 winter squash: $6 (organic)
  
• 1 bunch swiss chard: $3 (organic)
  

= $21.50
actual csa cost per week = $22

fruit:

• 4 giant peaches: $6 (guesstimate)
  
• 7 pears: $9 (organic)

=$15
actual csa cost per week = $11.67

PEACHES IN OCTOBER!

microwave potato chips! (csa week 8)

i thought that this post from the kitcn looked too good to be true: homemade potato chips, fresh from the microwave in minutes. and since i'm not so much of a potato person, it seemed like the perfect time to try these out when i got some cute little purple potatoes from the csa.

i recommend slicing the potatoes thin. this results in the crispest texture. a little thicker is good too, they just turn out chewier. Just depends on your preference. I'd recommend going for the purple potatoes. They're just so much more festive than the boring regular ones.


microwave potato chips

slice potatoes thin and arrange in a single layer on top of a paper towel lined plate. microwave for three minutes at a time and reduce the power each time. keep microwaving until crisp. sprinkle on a little olive oil, salt and pepper.