Welcome to Week 1 of the Autumn CSA! For those of you who are new to the CSA, we’re so glad to have you joining us. Please feel free to look through previous weeks’ blog posts to learn a little about what’s been happening at the farm so far this year. The blog will be your resource for recipes, as well as updates from the farm and farmers.
INGREDIENTS
- cooking spray
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 lbs unpeeled eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
- kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp chopped basil, plus leaves for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 25.25 ounce jar DeLallo Pomodoro sauce
- part skim ricotta cheese, for serving (optional)
As an alternative to pasta, you could make zucchini noodles!
Morrocan-Inspired Honey Glazed Eggplant
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 large globe eggplants, thickly sliced
- kosher salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 5 tablespoons honey
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1-2 teaspoons harissa
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Spread the slices of eggplant on a towel and sprinkle both sides generously with salt. Allow the eggplant to sweat for 30 minutes, then wipe off the salt with a damp towel and dry the surface with a dry towel.
- Preheat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of each slice of eggplant with olive oil and cook, without overlapping the slices, until well browned on both sides. Remove the slices to a plate and set aside; repeat with remaining slices.
- Combine the honey and lemon juice with 1/2 cup hot water in a small bowl, stirring until the honey is completely dissolved. Add the garlic and ginger to the empty skillet and stir for 30 seconds, or until fragrant, followed by the spices. Stir in the honey-lemon mixture and bring to a boil.
- Place the eggplant in the pan, overlapping as needed, and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure all pieces are coated with sauce. Continue to heat until the sauce has turned into a thick glaze and the eggplant is soft.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm or at room temperature.
NOTES:
- Cut the eggplant into thick rounds, at least 1-inch thick.
- Salting the eggplant can be skipped to save time, but the resulting eggplant will not be as soft and tender. Season with a little salt before sauteeing.
- A pinch of red chili flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce can be used as a substitute to harissa.
- The eggplant can be served warm, room temperature, or even straight out of the refrigerator.
Recipe from https://www.bunsenburnerbakery.com/moroccan-honey-glazed-eggplant/
Greek-inspired Swiss Chard Dolmades
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup uncooked short-grain brown rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 10 to 12 large rainbow or regular Swiss chard, leaves reserved for wrapping and stems finely diced for filling
- 1 onion, very finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Ground pepper, to taste
- 20 kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas or crumbled feta
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp dried currants or roughly chopped raisins
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a medium saucepan, add brown rice and water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 45 minutes, or until rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed.
- In a large high-sided skillet or medium pot, heat oil over medium. Add finely chopped chard stems, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Take off heat, add in olives, chickpeas or feta, and vinegar. Mash with a fork or back of a spoon until chickpeas or feta are slightly broken down and mixture holds together. Stir in cooked rice. Chill until cool to the touch, about 1 hour. Once chilled, mix in dill and currants or raisins.
- To roll the dolmades, lay a chard leaf with the inside facing up and the stem bottom towards your body. Press the palm of your hand to crush the stalk slightly. At the bottom of the wrap (leave a ½-inch border on the bottom and 2 sides), scoop 1/3 cup filling; form into a log shape. Tuck in the two outside pieces and roll into a “burrito” shape. Place seam side down on a plate and chill until ready to steam. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Place dolmades seam side down in a large steamer basket* (steam in batches if your steamer basket is small). Steam for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through. Transfer to a plate and serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
*If you don’t have a steamer basket, steam in a large pan with just a thin layer of water at the bottom and a lid on.
Recipe from http://yummybeet.com/2014/08/18/greek-rainbow-chard-burritos/
Crustless Amaranth Quiche
INGREDIENTS:
- 200 g amaranth washed and finely chopped
- 75 g onion finely diced
- 1 clove garlic finely diced
- 7 eggs beaten
- 4 oz milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1 sprig fresh thyme leaves only, no stems
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 100 g grated cheddar cheese mild, sharp or vintage as per preference
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 200C
- Beat eggs then add milk and melted butter and beat some more
- In another bowl, combine other ingredients (except cheese), allowing the seasonings to coat the leaves of the amaranth.
- Pour the batter into the vegetable mixture and combine
- Grease baking dish with butter
- Pour the batter into the dish then cover with grated cheese.
- Bake for 35-45 mins until set.
- Serve hot. (Makes 4-6 generous servings).
Recipe from http://www.chefandsteward.com/2014/09/08/crustless-calalloo-amaranth-quiche-recipe-low-carb-paleo-gluten-free-diabetic-friendly/
YAM LEAVES, STIR-FRIED SWEET POTATO LEAVES (炒地瓜苗)
Yam leaves are an under-rated vegetable that you can find at more and more Asian grocery stores these days. Here’s how to prepare them.by: judycourse:vegetablescuisine:chinese
SERVES:6PREP:30 minutesCOOK:5 minutesTOTAL:35 minutesPRINT
INGREDIENTS
- ▢1 pound yam leaves
- ▢3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ▢3 cloves garlic (smashed and chopped)
- ▢2 slices ginger (julienned)
- ▢1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ▢1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine (optional)
- ▢¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ▢2 tablespoons water
- ▢Salt (to taste)
- ▢1/8 teaspoon sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pinch off each leaf, including the stem, from the main stalk and any other tender parts of the vegetables. Wash and rinse thoroughly a couple of times and set aside to drain off any excess water before cooking.
- Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for about a minute. Now turn the heat to high, and add in the sweet yam leaves.
- Stir and add in the sesame oil, Shaoxing wine (optional), ground white pepper, water, salt (to taste) and a pinch of sugar. Stir to cook for a couple of minutes until all the leaves are wilted. Serve immediately.
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories: 102kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 8g (12%)Saturated Fat: 6g (30%)Sodium: 199mg (8%)Potassium: 390mg (11%)Fiber: 4g (16%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 2855IU (57%)Vitamin C: 8.7mg (11%)Calcium: 62mg (6%)Iron: 0.7mg (4%)