Summer Share Twenty-Two October 19th/21st 2021

Important information:

• This is an even biweekly distribution; the final even biweekly one is Nov. 2nd/4^th.
• Next week is the final odd biweekly distribution.
• There are still winter shares available.

Farm News from Jane
The CSA potluck was a great success yesterday. The rain held off until we were sitting down to eat; and boy, did we eat! The food was incredible as always and I ate way too much! Just trying a taste of every dish was an awesome experience. Thanks to all who participated in sharing “your table” with us.  It was very nice to walk around the fields and share our farming practices. I think everyone learned something…There were lots of good questions and we are always happy to share a bit of our understanding and learning along the way. The kids had great fun pulling carrots and a few adults enjoyed picking some late sugar snap peas that we trialed. It is a joy to visit with you and we appreciate your participation very much!
The final weeks of “summer” are winding down for the CSA season even though its technically autumn. This week’s share box is chock full of crucifers (cabbage family) veggies this week. We had cabbage to share also but did not want to inundate you with any more Cole crops. Although the temperatures have dropped it is still great growing conditions. The kales continue to grow well and makes harvesting a joy and a snap!  The Brussel sprouts were a bit more laborious to harvest, the big loppers we used were not up to speed for the size of the stalk. Although it is still quicker than harvesting each individual sprout by hand. They also keep well on the stalk. The high tunnels are almost full of seedlings now and the first planting of spinach is looking almost big enough to pick. One of our members commented on how deliciously sweet the high tunnel spinach is as well as the fall carrots. The kids were chomping down on them dirt and all; they must agree!
Wednesday is the Hunter’s moon; the full moon of October. Hopefully the skies will be clear to enjoy it.
Keep warm with a hot bowl of homemade soup and all that good nutrition, Jane

Produce:   Cauliflower   Brussel Sprouts   Broccoli   Shallots   Red Cippolini onions
Red Kale   Carrots   Acorn Squash   Poblano peppers

Fruit:      Jonagold apples      Snap Dragon apples
– Snap Dragon apples are an offspring of Honeycrisp and an apple similar to Jonagold. It is known for its monster crunch, spicey/sweet flavor and incredible juiciness. Jonagold’s are great for baking/cooking.

Produce tips:
– Brussels sprouts can be removed from the stalk by “popping” them off with your thumb, bag and refrigerate. When ready to use, trim the bottoms and remove any dry outer leaves. Proceed with recipe.
– Shallots are an onion garlic cross and add great depth of flavor when substituted for either one. I love them with roasted chicken!
– Poblano peppers are a spicier variety but not too hot!
– The first of the cauliflowers; white and purple; orange yet to come…

Recipes
CAULIFLOWER WITH WHITE SAUCE OR CHEESE SAUCE
For an easy cream sauce whisk one cup of milk in a 2-cup measuring cup with 2 T. flour until well blended add 1 T. butter, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. of pepper.
Microwave on high for 1 min. Stir well. Wave for another minute and stir again. Continue at 30 sec. intervals stirring well after each time until thickened. If cheese sauce is desired add 1/4 cup favorite cheese and heat and stir until well blended.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
2 large cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped Combine garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a casserole dish. Add cauliflower, and toss to coat well. Bake 25 minutes at 425 degrees, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and parsley, and broil 35 minutes, until golden brown. Makes 6 servings

CHEESE SAUCE
2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp flour; 1 cup milk; 1 cup grated cheese; Salt and pepper to taste; paprika
Melt butter; blend in flour. Remove from heat and add milk slowly, stirring constantly, until smooth and blended. Return to heat and cook and stir until thick. Turn off heat; add cheese and let stand until cheese is melted. Stir enough to blend; add salt, pepper and a little paprika. Makes 1 cup.

CURRIED RICE SALAD
1 1/2 cups long-grain or basmati rice; 2 ½ tsp salt; 2 tbsp peanut oil; 1/2 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 2 cups); 1 tbsp curry powder; 1/2 cup currants; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup raw cashews, toasted and chopped; 3 tbsp finely chopped chives or green onion tops; 1/2 tsp black pepper
In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to boil. Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium heat until hot, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and toast, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add 11/2 teaspoons of the salt to the boiling water and stir in the toasted rice. Return to a boil and cook, uncovered, until the rice is tender but not soft, 8 to 10 minutes for long-grain rice or about 15 minutes for basmati. Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Drain the rice in a strainer, and then spread it on the prepared baking sheet. Let cool while preparing the salad ingredients. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the cauliflower, curry powder, and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. Add the currants and 1 cup water. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the cauliflower is tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl. Add the rice, cashews, chives, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and toss to combine thoroughly. Let stand for 20 minutes to blend the flavors. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6 to 8

CAULIFLOWER AND CARROTS
1-2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cups small cauliflorettes; 3 medium carrots, in thin 1 ½ strips; ½ tsp salt; 2 large cloves garlic; minced; 1-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar; black pepper; basil, optional
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Add cauliflower, carrots and salt, and sauté over medium heat until tender 8-10 minutes. Stir in garlic during the last few minutes of cooking. Transfer to a bowl; add vinegar, pepper and basil if desired. Serve warm, cold or at room temperature. About 6 servings.
Recipe from The Moosewood Cookbook

CAULIFLOWER SOUP
1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets, 1 medium carrot, shredded, 1/4 cup chopped celery, 2-1/2 cups water, 2 teaspoons chicken or 1 vegetable bouillon cube, 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, 2 cups 2% milk, 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional
In a Dutch oven, combine the cauliflower, carrot, celery, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender (do not drain). In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Stir in the cheese until melted, adding hot pepper sauce if desired. Stir into the cauliflower mixture.

SEARED BRUSSEL SPROUTS BRAISED WITH APPLE CIDER
12 large Brussels sprouts; cooking oil; salt; 1/4 cup apple cider
Trim Brussels sprouts and cut in half. Heat a cast-iron pan over medium flame. Add some oil. Sprinkle salt evenly over bottom of pan. Lay Brussels sprouts cut side down in the pan. Cook until deep brown or almost black in some places, about 5 minutes. Add apple cider, cover pan, and turn off heat. Let them continue cooking off the heat another 5 minutes. Serve with grilled chicken or black-eyed peas. Makes 2 servings. Recipe from Ben Hunter, Catacombs Coffeehouse

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUT WITH CRISPED PANCETTA
1 lb. Brussels sprouts; 1/4-pound pancetta, cut into slivers; 1 tbsp olive oil; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 tsp garlic salt

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Halve the large sprouts. Toss with olive oil and garlic salt; arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Bake, shaking pan halfway through roasting time, until tender (15-25 minutes, depending on size of sprouts). Brussels sprouts are done when they’re deep green with several brown caramelized spots. Meanwhile, sauté pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Toss Brussels sprouts with pancetta. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 4 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

KALE & BRUSSEL SPROUT SALAD
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon minced shallot, 1 small garlic clove, finely grated 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning, Freshly ground black pepper, 2 large bunches of Tuscan kale (about 1 1/2 lb. total), center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced, 12 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed, finely grated or shredded with a knife, 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, 1/3 c. almonds with skins, coarsely chopped, 1 c. finely grated Pecorino
Combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Stir to blend; set aside to let flavors meld. Mix thinly sliced kale and shredded Brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Measure 1/2 cup oil into a cup. Spoon 1 Tbsp. oil from cup into a small skillet; heat oil over medium-high heat. Add almonds to skillet and stir frequently until golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle almonds lightly with salt. Slowly whisk remaining olive oil in cup into lemon-juice mixture. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Dressing, kale mixture, and toasted almonds can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover dressing and kale mixture separately and chill. Cover almonds and let stand at room temperature. Add dressing and cheese to kale mixture; toss to coat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with almonds. Recipe by Susan Spungen

SHAVED BRUSSEL SPROUT SALAD
1 t Dijon mustard, 3T olive oil, 1T walnut oil, 1T lemon juice, 1t sherry vinegar, 1T finely chopped parsley, salt and pepper; freshly ground to taste, 1 qt Brussels sprouts; shaved thinly by hand or on a mandolin, 1C roasted peanuts, 1C shaved Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmigiano-Reggiano), ½ C flat leaf parsley
Prepare the vinaigrette: Put the mustard in a heavy bowl. Slowly add olive oil and walnut oil while whisking. Add lemon juice and sherry vinegar. Finish with chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper.
To prepare salad: Toss Brussels sprouts, peanuts, cheese and parsley in a salad bowl with the vinaigrette, to taste.

BRUSSELS SPROUT AND SAUSAGE SOUP
1 #Brussels sprouts 1/2-pound andouille sausage, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 3 large red potatoes, 2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon caraway seeds, 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
Trim ends off Brussels sprouts, remove any damaged external leaves, and cut in half lengthwise. Set aside. Remove casing from sausage and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Put olive oil and sausage in a medium pot over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is well browned, about 7 minutes. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut into roughly 1/2-in. pieces. When sausage is browned, add bay leaves and caraway seeds to the pot. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add potatoes, broth, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Add Brussels sprouts. Partially cover pot and reduce heat to low or medium-low to maintain a steady simmer. Cook soup until potatoes and Brussels sprouts are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves and serve soup hot. Recipe form Myrecipes.com

CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP
5 tablespoons butter, divided, 1 onion, chopped, 1 stalk celery, chopped; 3 cups chicken broth; 8 cups broccoli florets; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups milk; ground black pepper to taste
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and saute onion and celery until tender. Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup right in the cooking pot. In small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk. Stir until thick and bubbly, and add to soup. Season with pepper and serve.

BROCCOLI SALAD
1 head broccoli, flower and stems chopped; 1/2 lb. fried bacon, crumbled; 1/2 cup chopped red onion; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Dressing: Stir together:1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2T sugar; 1 T vinegar
Mix all salad ingredients and stir in dressing. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

ROASTED BROCCOLI
1 head broccoli, large stem and medium stems; removed and reserved for another use; 11/2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Break broccoli head into medium florets and toss with remaining ingredients. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 18-22 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through the cooking time. Remove from oven when broccoli is a deep green color with some darkened spots. Makes 4 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

WARM DRESSING WITH SHALLOT
(great over baked squash and greens)
1/4 c maple syrup, 1/4 c cider vinegar, 1/3 c olive oil, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 shallot, minced, salt and pepper

OUR FAVORITE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
1/2 C. olive oil, ¼ C. balsamic vinaigrette, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1 shallot, minced, 1 clove garlic, minced, ¼ C. balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste
Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a glass jar with a lid. Replace lid on the jar and shake vigorously until thoroughly combined.
Recipe form Allrecipes.com

ARABIAN SQUASH CHEESE CASSEROLE
2 medium-large Acorn or carnival squash; 1 cup onion; 2-3 cloves crushed garlic; 1 cup red or green pepper, chopped; 3 Tbsp butter; 1 tsp salt; 2 beaten eggs; 1 cup buttermilk or yogurt; l/4 cup sunflower seeds; 1 cup crumbled feta
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook squash for 35 minutes or until soft. Scoop out and mash squash. Sauté onion and garlic in butter and salt, when the onion is translucent add the chopped peppers. Sauté until just done. Beat eggs with buttermilk. Crumble in the feta cheese. Combine everything and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread in butter casserole or baking pan. Top with sunflower seeds. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes covered and then 10 minutes uncovered.

CORN BREAD AND PINE NUT-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
8 very small acorn squash or other very small winter squash; 6 tablespoons pine nuts; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano; I cup finely chopped red onion; salt and pepper; 6 tablespoons butter, divided; 3-6 tablespoons apple cider; I cup finely chopped sweet red or green pepper
4 cups stale com bread in I-inch cubes (equivalent to approximately 1 8-by-8-inch pan of com bread) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut a thin slice off bottom of each squash, so it can stand up. Cut off a quarter of each squash from the top and discard. Scoop out seeds and membranes. Place squashes top side down in baking dish; add water to depth of 1/4 inch. Cover with foil; bake until tender, 45- 60 minutes. Discard water. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until nearly tender. Add sweet peppers and cook, stirring often, 3-4 minutes. Crumble the com bread; combine with cooked vegetables, pine nuts, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in just enough apple cider to moisten stuffing. Fill squash cavities with stuffing. Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter; drizzle or brush on stuffing. Place in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Makes 8 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

SAVORY WINTER SQUASH WITH SAUSAGE STUFFING
1 Medium-size winter squash, cut in half and seeded; 1/3 lb. sausage meat; 1 medium-size onion, peeled and finely chopped; 1/4 Cup corn bread cubes; 1/4 Cup fine dry bread crumbs; pinch of allspice; 1/4 cup warm water; salt; 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten; Melted butter
Crumble the sausage meat into a large skillet and fry until light brown. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Add the onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Mix in the bread cubes, bread crumbs, allspice, water and salt to taste. Mix well with your fingers, breaking up any large sausage pieces. Stir the egg into the stuffing. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Fill the squash cavities with the stuffing and arrange the squash halves on a baking sheet. Use crushed aluminum foil to keep the halves from tipping. Bake for 1 to 11/2 hours or until tender, brushing occasionally with melted butter. Serves 2

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH KALE & WHITE BEANS
1 medium acorn squash, halved;  and seeded; 1/2 tsp plus 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tbsp water; 1/2 tbsp tomato paste; 4 cups chopped kale leaves; 1/2 15 ounce can white beans, rinsed;  1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives; 1/4 cup coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cut a small slice off the bottom of each squash half so it rests flat. Brush the insides with 1 teaspoon oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Place in a 9-by-13-inch (or similar-size) microwave-safe dish. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on High until the squash is fork-tender, about 12 minutes.  Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring, until starting to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in water, tomato paste and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in kale, cover and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in white beans and olives; cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat. Position rack in center of oven; preheat broiler. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a bowl. Fill each squash half with about 1 cup of the chard mixture. Place in a baking pan or on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture. Broil in the center of the oven until the breadcrumbs are browned, 1 to 2 minutes.

REDBOR KALE WITH RED BEANS, CILANTRO, AND FETA CHEESE
1 1/2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked for 4 hours or overnight; 2 bay leaves; 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves; sea salt; 1 white onion, finely diced; 1 large bunch kale; 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to finish; 3/4 cup chopped cilantro; 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Drain the beans, cover them with plenty of cold water, and bring to a boil. Remove any scum that rises to the surface, then add the herbs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and all but 1/2 cup of the onion. Lower the heat and simmer until tender, about 1 ½ hours. Slice the kale leaves from their stems with a knife. Chop coarsely into 1- or 2-inch pieces and rinse well. Bring a few quarts water to a boil; add salt and the kale. Simmer until tender, 5 to 7 minutes, then pour into a colander to drain. Heat the oil in a wide skillet. Add the remaining 1/2 cup onion and 1/2 cup of the cilantro. Cook over medium heat until the onion has softened, about 10 minutes, then add the kale and the beans with enough of the cooking liquid so that there’s plenty of sauce. Simmer together for at least 10 minutes, then serve garnished with crumbled feta cheese and the remaining cilantro. SERVES 4 Recipe from Local Flavors.

SESAME KALE SALAD
1# fresh kale, 2T soy sauce, 2T toasted sesame oil, 1T toasted sesame seeds, 1 clove garlic, 2 t honey or other sweetener, 1T apple cider vinegar, dash of black or red ground pepper to taste.
Separate kale leaves from stems. Chop stems and greens. Steam stems a couple of minutes, then add the greens and steam until just tender. Drain; let kale cool enough to handle it. Squeeze out as much water as possible. Place in a serving bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients in another bowl; add to greens. Mix, chill, and serve. Serves 4-6. Adapted from the Extending the Table; A World Community Cookbook, by Joetta Hendrich Schlabach.

KALE SALAD WITH APPLES & CHEDDAR
4 cups very finely chopped or slivered curly kale or Russian kale (about 6 ounces on the stem, or half of a 3/4-pound bunch, stemmed and washed in two rinses of water), 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted almonds, 1 apple, sweet, like a Fuji, or a sweet-tart, like a Gala, cored and cut in 1/4-inch dice, 1 ounce sharp Cheddar cheese, cut in 1/4-inch dice, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice,  Salt to taste, 1 very small garlic clove, puréed, 5 tablespoons extra Combine the kale, almonds, apple and Cheddar in a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil. Add to the salad, and toss well. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top, and serve. Tip: This salad benefits from tossing with the dressing about 15 minutes before you serve it. The kale will soften in the dressing. Recipe from Martha Rose Shulman

CARROT AND KALE VEGETABLE SAUTE
8 bacon strips, coarsely chopped, 4 large carrots, sliced, 2 cups peeled cubed butternut squash (1/2-inch pieces), 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped, 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 2 plum tomatoes, chopped, 2 cups chopped fresh kale
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings.
Add carrots and squash to drippings; cook, covered over medium heat 5 minutes. Add poblano pepper and onion; cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in seasonings. Add tomatoes and kale; cook, covered, until kale is wilted, 2-3 minutes. Top with bacon.

KALE CHIPS
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Line a non-insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes. May be oiled or sprayed with cooking oil and sprinkled with garlic salt.

KALE & BRUSSEL SPROUT SOUP
1tablespoon olive oil, 1onion, 1lb kale, 10 Brussels sprouts, 3carrots, 1sprig fresh rosemary, 14ounces cannellini , beans (1 can), 2pints vegetable stock, salt, pepper
Sauté the chopped onion in the olive oil until golden. Add chopped kale, carrot and shredded Brussel sprout and allow to soften a little. Pour over the stock and bring to the boil, adding the sprig of rosemary. Simmer for 45 minutes adding more stock if required. At this stage the soup will be very watery. Drain the can of beans, rinse in a colander and then mash with a fork or blend. Add the mashed beans to the soup. This will make the broth a little thicker and give it an interesting texture and flavor. Recipe from Food.com

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SHALLOT SOUP
4 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 4 large shallots, peeled and halved, 1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced, 2 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons (1-inch) sliced fresh chives, cracked black pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°. Combine first 5 ingredients in a roasting pan or jelly-roll pan; toss well. Bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Cool 10 minutes. Place half of squash mixture and half of broth in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan. Repeat procedure with remaining squash mixture and broth. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top with chives and pepper, if desired.

SOUTHWEST STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS
4 poblano peppers halved and seeds/membranes removed, 1# lean ground beef, or chorizo, 1 tsp each ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, 1 C cooked long grain white rice,  1/2 C canned black beans, drained; 1/2 C frozen or canned corn (drained); 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained; 1 4-oz can diced green chiles; ½ C -1 C grated mozzarella or Mexican-blend cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a large baking sheet. Arrange halved poblano peppers in a single layer on the baking sheet so that they aren’t overlapping. Bake for 10-15 minutes while you move on to the next step. Add ground beef (or preferred meat choice, see Note 2) and rice to a large skillet, and season with the cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Saute over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until meat is browned and cooked through. Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and green chiles. Cook another 1-2 minutes. Spoon mixture into the peppers, sprinkle with cheese, and return to oven for another 10 minutes or so until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Recipe form www.cremedelacrumb.com

CHICKEN CHILES RELLENOS CASSEROLE
2 tablespoons butter, 2 poblano peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup 2% milk, 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed, 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, 2 cups coarsely shredded rotisserie chicken, 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, 2 packages (8-1/2 ounces each) cornbread/muffin mix
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onion; cook and stir until peppers are tender, 4-6 minutes. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in cream cheese until blended. Add pepper jack, chicken and green chiles; heat through, stirring to combine. Transfer to a greased 11×7-in. baking dish. Prepare cornbread batter according to package directions. Spread over chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in topping comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Recipe from https://www.tasteofhome.com/

SLOW-COOKED CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP
1 tablespoon canola oil, 2 Anaheim or poblano peppers, finely chopped, 1 medium onion, chopped, 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 carton (48 ounces) chicken broth, 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chipotle hot pepper sauce, optional, 1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, sour cream and crispy tortilla strips
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add peppers and onion; cook and stir until tender, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer pepper mixture and chicken to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Stir in broth, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, tomato paste, seasonings and, if desired, pepper sauce. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until chicken is tender (a thermometer should read at least 165°). Remove chicken from slow cooker. Shred with 2 forks; return to slow cooker. Stir in cilantro. Serve with toppings as desired.
Recipe from https://www.tasteofhome.com/

CARROT ALMOND CAKE
1 1/2 cups (150g) almond meal, 2 cups (200g) grated carrot – about 2-3 large carrots, 1/3 cup (40g) gluten free plain flour , 2 tsp baking powder , 1/4 cup (50g) unrefined cane sugar/brown sugar/coconut sugar, 2 eggs, beaten, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup – 1 cup milk of your choice*
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and/or line a medium round cake tin. Combine your almond meal, carrot, flour, baking powder and sugar. Add in your beaten eggs, vanilla and enough milk needed to make a cake batter like consistency. Stir until just combined and pour into your prepared baking tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and a skewer removes clean and the cake is golden on top. This cake is best chilled so allow to cool on your bench top and then pop into the fridge to chill before serving. The cake is super moist and delicious on its own – but feel free to top it with a dollop of cream or scoop of ice cream if you like! Store in the fridge for a few days or freeze individual slices and the cake will keep for months. Notes: *The amount of milk needed will vary depending on how moist your carrots are, add just as much as needed to make a thick cake batter like consistency. Recipe from www.southerninlaw.com

ROASTED CARROTS
12 carrots, 3 tablespoons good olive oil, 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or parsley
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole. Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. (The carrots will shrink while cooking so make the slices big.) Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender. Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve. Recipe from Ina Garten Foodnetwork.com

ROASTED CARROTS WITH TURMERIC COUSCOUS
1 1/4 lbs. medium carrots, halved lengthwise, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. curry powder, 2 3/4 cups chicken stock, 2 cups Israeli couscous, 1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, thinned with 3 tbsp. water, torn fresh mint, 4 lemon wedges
On baking sheet, toss carrots, oil and curry powder; season with salt and pepper. Roast at 500° until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. In saucepan, boil stock. Add couscous and turmeric. Cover and simmer until tender, about 7 minutes; season. Top couscous with carrots, yogurt and mint. Serve with lemon wedges.
Recipe from rachaelraymag.com