eat your veggies
My husband and I signed up for weekly bushels of fresh vegetables and fruits from our local community supported agriculture this summer. We did this a few summers ago but ended up with a farm that had an unfortunate love affair with kale. I like myself some kale and collard greens as much as the next person, but after an entire summer of kale, not so much.
This year, however, we found a CSA that promised up and down that while they did grow kale, they didn't specialize in it. True to their promise, the bushels have been full of lovely, fresh, non-kale vegetables.
Along with fresh garlic and onions, this week the bushel was full of a leafy green vegetable of mysterious origin. I'm pretty sure it wasn't kale, but I don't know what it was. I believe it was cabbage-related.
Unsure of how to prepare it, I relied on a trick my Italian housemates taught me years ago: any vegetable, when combined with deep extra virgin olive oil, basil, oregano, red onions, fresh garlic, sale marino, and high-quality meat, becomes a work of art.
I chopped up the mystery leaves, the garlic (such a strong, wonderful scent when it is fresh from the garden!) and the huge red onion. Then I quartered some organic chicken breast, warmed up the olive oil with the herbs, sauteed the garlic and onions, and browned the meat. At the end, I threw in the mystery veggie.
I have no idea what it was, but it sure was good.
do you have photos of the veggie in question?
Posted by: madbard | Monday, June 20, 2005 at 10:12 AM
There's a great episode of Cheers in which Woody becomes the spokesman of a veggie drink which contains, inter alia, kale.
Each character on the show who tastes it wrinkles up his face and says, 'what is that--kale??'
At the end of the episode, Woody finally deigns to taste the product he's been hawking. He drinks dreeply, holds in his mouth a moment, than pulls a face and says, "Kale was NOT a good idea."
heh heh.
Posted by: TP | Monday, June 20, 2005 at 03:13 PM
Madbard, now that would have been a good idea. Unfortunately it is all eaten now. Next time I will remember to document it.
TP, I don't mind kale, but I don't think I'd ever drink the stuff. Ewww.
Posted by: transmogriflaw | Monday, June 20, 2005 at 07:03 PM
Oh, I had a veggie service a few summers ago, when I lived in Berkeley, CA. We got to pick and choose on line what we wanted. It was amazing. I miss it. I don't think we have such things in my new New England home. Another reason to miss Berkeley ....
Posted by: zuska | Monday, June 20, 2005 at 08:24 PM
Zuska,as a New England to California transplant I understand not having fresh native veggies year round, but I maintain that New England has wonderful veggies in season. Many towns have weekley farmers markets, and corn or tomatos from a road side stand can't be beaten. Or course you are out of luck in the winter.
One of my shocks when I moved here was that the supermarket produce tasted just like the supermarket produce in Mass, which makes sense since so much of it is grown in California. I think that to find the good stuff you need to dig a little in both locations.
Posted by: HusbandOfT | Monday, June 20, 2005 at 09:43 PM
Whatever the veggie was, the preparation sounds wonderful. Who but those resourceful Italians would use vegetables to such rewarding end? Remember they are the ones responsible for great salads with dandelions! I'll be curious to know if you come up with the name of this new delight. Until then enjoy your wealth of fresh veggies and fruits. We, Chicagoans, have 'farmers markets', once a week, usually a weekday, when we're able to get our fix. Just one more thing to love about summer!
Posted by: fran | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 05:32 AM
Maybe an heirloom cabbage? Heirloom veggies often look quite a bit different from what you see in the grocery store.
We have enough room for a garden for the first time ever. Last night I made a ginger shrimp salad using lettuce, sugar snap peas, and zucchini that we grew ourselves!!! What a treat. Last week I made cashew chicken using the peas instead of bamboo shoots.
Posted by: Rayne of Terror | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 06:35 AM
I am a former subscriber to an organic produce delivery service. I love the sound of the CSA and plan to sign up with my local organization. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Jiffy | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 09:30 AM
Rayne, that's a good idea. Maybe it was an heirloom cabbage.
Jiffy, glad to be of service. I've been very pleased with our CSA experience.
Posted by: transmogriflaw | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 09:03 PM
Fran, I love farmer's markets, but I've found it hard with our schedule. The CSA veggies-in-a-basket approach is MUCH easier for us.
I suspect there is a CSA in Chicago - there are some all over the country. If you click on the link you may find a Chicago CSA.
Posted by: transmogriflaw | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 09:31 PM
I'm going to look into that, T. On our home-hunting trip, we stumbled upon a farmer's market a few blocks away, but I can see the loveliness of veggies in a basket on days when you don't have time meander appropriately through the options.
Mmmm. Fresh veggies.
Posted by: kristine | Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 01:45 PM
pictures of greens
http://www.epicurious.com/bonappetit/features/asian_greens
maybe one of these?
Posted by: SLA | Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 06:09 PM
Thanks for the tip. I went online and sure enough found some in Illinois. One particularly hopeful looking farm has a number of drop off points rather near me.
Posted by: fran | Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 07:28 AM
SLA, no, but good idea. Fran, that's great!
Posted by: transmogriflaw | Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 12:12 PM