CSA 2025 - Week #4 (B)
JuLY 9, 10 & 11
This week's share includes some specialty crops I wait all year for...like escarole and fennel! Escarole looks a lot like lettuce, but it's not-- and should not be eaten raw like lettuce (unless you pair it well with a special dressing) because it has a slightly bitter flavor. Cook it and the bitterness disappears! Same for the fennel. I happen to love its licorice-like flavor, but if you don't, just cook it! Try one of my favorite recipes below. Bon appetit!
Have a beautiful week, friends!
-Maggie & Matt
Before we get started with the box contents, THIS IS ESCAROLE, NOT LETTUCE! The lettuce this week is baby Romaines, so it looks totally different. If you are new to escarole, try cooking it! Make the classic White Beans and Escarole. It's quick and so delicious!
IN THE BOX…
Escarole
The biggest head of green frilly leaves in the box. Not lettuce, so don't try to eat it in a regular salad. The outer leaves really do need to be cooked. So cook the whole head in a soup or braised with white beans. You can save some of the inner whiter leaves for a small salad paired with Gruyere cheese, garlic and a dijon vinaigrette. You need the cheese and dijon to balance out the slightly bitter flavored leaves.
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Escarole and White Beans
Parsley - Wednesday
Parsley brings such bright flavor to salads. Also makes a terrific pesto!
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Parsley & Quinoa Salad
Cilantro - Thursday & Friday
Love the flavor of cilantro in chicken soup or guacamole. Also makes a terrific pesto!
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Cilantro Pesto & Pasta
Fennel
New to fennel? Try braising it. OR slice it up and freeze it. Pull out a handful to add to Minestrone soup later in the season. It's that special ingredient that adds a wonderful rich flavor.
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge. Remove the top stalks before storing. You can use them to flavor stocks.
What I'm making: Braised Fennel AND a fennel & escarole salad.
Salad Turnips - Wednesday
Enjoy these slice raw with a sprinkle of sea salt, or put them on the grill! Cook the greens like spinach. I love them alongside my eggs for breakfast.
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge. Remove the edible greens from the roots and store separately.
What I'm making: Herby Grilled Turnips
Red Beets - Thursday & Friday
So sweet! Try them roasted and then cooled in a salad.
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge. Remove the edible greens from the roots and store separately.
What I'm making: Roasted beet salad with goat cheese.
Baby Romaine Lettuces
This is a variety called "Newham" which has a tight head. I love the crunch and the cuteness of the small heads. Just one makes the perfect medium-size salad. So now you have 2 salads worth!
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Salad!
Summer Squash - Wednesday
The season is just starting!
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Squash on the grill!
Zucchini
The season is just starting!
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Zucchini fritters
Red Kale
Did you know that kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables, packed with vitamins, nutrients and minerals?! It's also super versatile. Kale salads, smoothies, pastas, steamed, sauteed, added to soups, I could go on.... So that's why we grow it for you. We want you to be healthy and happy and learn to love what your body loves you to feed it! Quick note...if you steam kale until tender and then toss with garlic and olive oil, it's a quick and simple side dish filled with nutrition. This one bunch of kale will cook down to just 2 vegetable portions. We usually cook up at least 2 bunches of kale at a time to feed our family of four one side dish.
Storage: In an airtight bag in the fridge.
What I'm making: Steamed and tossed with garlic & olive oil
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FAVORITE RECIPES
Roasted Beet Salad with Feta
Roast the beets first thing in the morning. Then let them cool for this delicious salad!
Cilantro Pesto
Delicious on pasta!
Braised Fennel with White Wine
Quick and easy classic
Caramelized Fennel Salad with Goat Cheese
*A Recipe Favorite*
Escarole & White Bean Salad with Fennel and Gruyere
Escarole & White Beans
Uses a whole head of escarole and is perfect for a quick supper!
Herby Salad Turnips
A great way to cook these on your grill!
Parsley & Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas