Winter Share Five January 28th 2016
Important information
- The next distribution is February 11th.
- If you haven’t yet renewed; summer shares are almost sold out; please don’t wait!
Farm News from Jane
What an unusual winter; it seems as though the snow we are accustom to receiving has arrived in areas which are not normally accustom to a heavy accumulation. And probably the children are the only ones enjoying the snow while the adults deal with the havoc and chaos that it brings to those regions. It certainly will be interesting to see what type of season we will have for maple sugaring when we begin in the next month or so. Last year’s start was a bit later due to the large accumulation of snow. This year we may not have much to thaw! We have a number of hard maple trees which are the most productive maples to tap. The trees are spread out over about a mile’s distance so collecting it in buckets hung from the taps and bringing it into the sugar house is a bit laborious and time consuming. But, we really enjoy the time spent in the woods and the unique process of boiling. The sugar content in the maple sap is related to the prior summer’s amount of sunlight. The amount of sun received has a direct correlation to the amount of sugar that the tree produces and then stores. The harvest of sap we collect is dependent on the daily temperature fluctuations when the trees begin to come “back to life.” It takes warm, hopefully sunny days followed by below freezing temperatures at night to send the sap “up the tree”. It is an interesting process. Currently Ben is rebuilding the arch on which the evaporator pans sits. It’s a bonus for us that he enjoys the fabricating process as much as he is gifted to do the work!
This week’s share includes Daikon radish which is a more unique vegetable. It is more mellow in flavor than a traditional radish and is certainly not as hot as the horseradish root which it resembles. Please don’t be afraid to try them in a salad, stir fry, soup or stew, or even raw with a dip; they are very versatile. Half the fun of a CSA share is experimenting with new vegetables with all their unique nutritional benefits. Enjoy the last week of January; next week begins February with the annual Ground Hog’s Day celebration, it’s always entertaining to see what Punxsutawney Phil will predict for the extent of the winter season.
Until next time; eat hearty & healthy, Jane
Produce: Cabbage Cooking onions Shallots Garlic Carrots
Adirondack Red potatoes Spaghetti squash Kohlrabi
Chioggia beets Daikon radish
Produce tips
– Kohlrabi is even more versatile than potatoes! They can be eaten raw with dip or grated as a slaw as well as stir fried, steamed, boiled and served like mashed potatoes or even roasted.
– Shallots are a cross between a garlic and onion flavor. They can be substituted for onion in any recipe. They are wonderful caramelized.
– Enjoy the sweet creaminess of the red potatoes mashed or just boiled whole and then served like a baked potato.
– One of my favorite ways to serve beets in to peel, cube, roast and then serve warm or cold with a sweet vinaigrette and crumbled feta cheese.
Recipes
PARSLEY POTATO CARROT HASH
2 tablespoons olive oil; 1-2 tablespoons butter; 11/2 pounds potatoes, scrubbed and cut into small cubes; 1 large carrot (about 1/2 pound), scrubbed and cut into small cubes; salt and pepper; 1/4-1/3 cup finely chopped leeks; 1/3-1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley
Heat olive oil and butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium flame. Add potatoes and carrots, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss well. Cook undisturbed 4-5 minutes to brown on one side, then toss and brown again for 4-5 minutes. Lower heat, stir in leeks, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in parsley. Note: You could add chopped ham, chicken, or hard-cooked eggs to the mixture along with the parsley.
Makes 4-6 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
CURRIED CARROTS AND RAISINS
½ lb. carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick pieces; 1/2 tbsp. honey; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard; 3/4 tsp. curry powder; 1/2 tbsp. safflower oil; 1 tsp. unsalted butter; 1 tsp. brown sugar; 1/6 cup raisins
Pour enough water into a saucepan to fill it 1 inch deep. Set a vegetable steamer in the pan and bring the water to a boil. Put the carrots in the steamer, cover the pan, and steam the carrots until they are tender about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover it and set it aside. While the carrots are steaming, combine the honey, lemon juice, mustard and curry powder in a bowl. Put the oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter bubbles, add the carrots and sauté them, stirring often, for two minutes. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the carrots, add the raisins, and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, for two minutes more. Stir in the honey mixture and continue cooking, stirring constantly and scraping down the sides of the skillet, until the carrots are well glazed – two or three minutes more. Serve at once. Serves 3
CARROT VICHY SOUP
1 large russet potatoes, pared and sliced; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tbsp butter, melted; 1/2 lb pared, sliced carrots; 1 leek, thinly sliced or 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 2 3/4 cups half-and-half; 1 ½ cups boiling water; Tabasco pepper sauce to taste; 2 tsp instant chicken bouillon; Minced fresh parsley
Combine potatoes, carrots, leeks or onion, boiling water, bouillon, and salt in large heavy saucepan. Cook, covered until very tender, about 25 minutes. Puree in blender or food processor. Beat in butter or margarine, half-and-half, and Tabasco” to taste. Chill and serve cold or reheat over low heat, beating with wire whisk to blend w011. Top with a bit of minced parsley. Note: You may want to season with more Tabasco’ if soup is to be served cold. Makes 3 to4 servings
RED WINE BRAISED ROOTS
3/4 cups red wine; 2 pounds assorted root vegetables, peeled; 4 ounces white mushrooms, halved; 1 large onion, sliced; 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme; ½ tbsp tomato paste; ½ tsp salt; 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper; 2 cups vegetable broth; 2 bay leaves
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place wine in a small saucepan and heat until steaming. Remove from the heat, add dried mushrooms and let stand while you prepare the vegetables. If using carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces. Cut any round roots (beets, turnips, rutabaga and/or celeriac) into 1-inch-wide wedges. Place the roots, white mushrooms and onions in a large (12-by-15-inch) roasting pan. Line a sieve with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and place over a measuring cup or small bowl. Strain the wine-mushroom mixture through the sieve, reserving the wine. Coarsely chop the mushrooms and whisk them into the wine along with thyme, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetables; add broth and bay leaves. Cover the roasting pan with foil. 5. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 1’/2 hours. Uncover and continuing baking, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes more. Discard bay leaves.
HOT BEET & CARROT SLAW
2 T butter, 1 large clove garlic, 2 beets; fist sized, 1 medium carrot, ¾ C orange juice, salt and pepper
Sauté garlic in butter for 2 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook 5-8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
DICED BEETS WITH ORANGE ZEST AND YOGURT SAUCE
1/2 lb. beets, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes; 1/8 cup cider vinegar; zest of 1 orange, grated (about 1 tbsp.); 1/8tsp. ground mace; 1/8 tsp. ground cloves; 1/8 tsp. salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1/8 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 1 tbsp. fresh orange juice; 1/2 tsp. honey
Preheat the oven to 3750 F. In an 11/2-quart ovenproof casserole with a lid, combine the beets, vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, orange zest, mace, cloves, salt and pepper. Bake the beet mixture, covered, for one hour. Meanwhile, to make the sauce, mix together the yogurt and orange juice in a small bowl. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve. Remove the beets from the oven and stir in the honey. Serve immediately, topped with the yogurt sauce. Serves 2
BEET, MUSHROOM AND POTATO CASSEROLE
2 tbsp oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 3 tbsp flour; 1 1/4 cups vegetable stock; 1 1/2 pounds cooked beets, peeled and chopped; 5 tbsp light cream; 2 tbsp creamed horseradish; 1 tsp hot mustard; 1 tbsp wine vinegar; 1 tsp caraway seeds; 2 tbsp butter; 1 shallot, chopped; 8 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and sliced; 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For the potato border: 2 pounds potatoes, peeled; 2/3 cup milk; 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill; salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9-inch round baking dish. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook until soft, without coloring. Stir in the flour, remove from the heat and gradually add the stock, stirring until well blended. Return to the heat, stir and simmer to thicken, and then add the beets, cream, creamed horseradish, mustard, vinegar and caraway seeds. To make the potato border, bring the potatoes to a boil in salted water and cook for 20 minutes. Drain well and mash with the milk. Add the dill, if using, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the potatoes into the prepared dish and make a well in the center. Spoon the beet mixture into the well and set aside. Melt the butter in a large nonstick frying pan and cook the shallot until soft, without browning. Add the mushrooms and cook over moderate heat until their juices begin to run. Increase the heat and boil off the moisture. When quite dry, season with salt and pepper and stir in most of the chopped parsley. Spread the mushrooms over the beet mixture, cover and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve at once, garnished with the reserved parsley. If you are planning ahead, this entire dish can be made in advance and heated when needed. Allow 50 minutes baking time from room temperature. Serves 4-6
ODESSA BEETS
5-6 medium beets; 2-3 tbsp lemon juice; 8-10 plums, pitted and thinly sliced; 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced; ½ tsp salt; black pepper to taste; ½ cup finely chopped walnuts; 1 cup finely chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wrap beets in foil and bake until very tender about 45 minutes. Rinse under cold water as you rub off the skins. Trim the ends and coarsely grate. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Chill until ready to serve. Serves 6; Recipe from The Moosewood Cookbook.
THAI SQUASH
Oil or butter; 1 cup diced onions; 1 Tbsp grated gingerroot; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 hot pepper (fresh or dried), minced; 1/3 can (14 ounces) coconut milk; 1 Tbsp minced fresh basil; 2 cups peeled squash, in 3/4-inch cubes
Heat oil in large skillet; add onions, gingerroot, garlic, and peppers. Cook over low heat until tender. Add coconut milk and basil; cook until thickened. Meanwhile, boil squash in 4 cups water for 12-15 minutes. Drain. Combine with other ingredients and serve. Makes 4 Servings; Recipe from Dave French, Madison CSA supporter
WINTER SQUASH, ONION, AND SAFFRON RISOTTO
5-6 cups chicken stock, 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, pulverized, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2-1 cup finely chopped onion, 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice, 2/3 cup dry white wine, 2-3 cups cooked, pureed winter squash, 3/4-1 cup grated Parmesan, Romano, or asiago cheese, salt and pepper
Bring stock and saffron to a simmer in saucepan. Heat olive oil in large, heavy saucepan. Add onions; cook over medium low heat until softened, several minutes. Raise heat to medium-high and stir in rice. Keep stirring rice 1·2 minutes, then add wine. Stir and cook until nearly all the wine has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add two ladlefuls hot stock (enough to barely cover the rice); stir frequently until most is absorbed. Continue to add stock a ladleful at a time and stir very frequently until nearly absorbed. Risotto is done when rice is barely tender and mixture is creamy; this should take 25-35 minutes. (Adjust heat if rice is absorbing liquid too quickly.) Stir in squash during last 10 minutes. Fold in most of the grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, with a little more cheese on top of each serving. Makes 6-8 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
STUFFED SQUASH
1 squash, cut in half and cooked; 1 cup cooked rice; ½ tbsp butter; ¾ cup minced onion; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 medium apple, diced; 1 ½ orange, sectioned; ¼ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp allspice or cloves; ½ tsp salt; 1 tbsp honey; ½ chopped almonds
Melt butter in a medium skillet. Add onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic, apples, oranges and spices, and sauté over medium heat about 5 minutes more. The orange sections may fall apart, but that’s okay. Add the sauté to the rice and mix well. Season to taste with salt and honey. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill the prebaked squash halves and top with chopped nuts. Bake uncovered until heated through- about 20 to 30 minutes.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH AMERICANA
1 large spaghetti squash; 4 ounces butter; 4 ounces Parmesan cheese grated; 4 ounces Monterey jack or cheddar cheese shredded; 3-4 sprigs basil chopped; Salt; Freshly ground black pepper
Split and seed squash. Bake cut side down in half inch of water in baking dish in preheated 3500 F. oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until soft. Melt butter and mix with cheeses. When squash is cooked, remove spaghetti like strands with a fork. Mix in bowl with cheese mixture. Sprinkle chopped basil on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste; Serves 4.
GERMAN-STYLE APPLES AND CABBAGE
4 packed cups thinly sliced red or green cabbage, (3/4-1 pound); 3 cups peeled, sliced tart apples; 1 cup sliced red onion; 1/2 cup apple cider or beer; 1/4 cup cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional); 1/2 teaspoon salt; coarsely ground black pepper to taste
Place cabbage, apples, red onion, and cider or beer in heavy saucepan or skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables become slightly tender, about 8 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; cook another 7-8 minutes. Add more cider if necessary to keep vegetables from sticking. Serve with ring bologna, bratwurst, kielbasa, or sautéed mushrooms. Makes 6 servings Recipe from MACSAC
PORTUGUESE STONE SOUP
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 3 spicy smoked sausages, (10-12 oz.) sliced; 1 cup diced onion; 1 cup diced carrot; 1/2 cup diced celery; 3 tablespoons minced garlic; 8 cups chicken stock; 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon thyme; 4 cups (about 2/3 pound) very thinly sliced cabbage; 2 cups diced potatoes; 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained; bottled hot pepper sauce; salt and pepper
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high flame. Add the sliced sausage and brown it well. Remove sausages from pot add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. When it is hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 1 minute longer. Stir in chicken stock, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, and the sausage. Bring to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes. Add cabbage and potatoes; simmer 10 minutes longer. Add beans and simmer another 10 minutes. Season with hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Makes 8 or more servings; Recipe from MACSAC
BRAISED CABBAGE AND VEGETABLES
1/4 c. olive oil or peanut oil; 4 green onions, chopped; 1 medium bell pepper, diced; 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1head cabbage, shredded; 1 c water or chicken stock; Salt and pepper to taste
Heat large, heavy, non-reactive pot or skillet over medium high heat; add oil to hot pan, immediately add onions and bell peppers and stir-fry 1 minute. Add crushed red pepper and garlic, stir 15 seconds. Do not allow garlic to brown. Add two handfuls of cabbage; stir 30 seconds. Repeat until all of the cabbage is in pot. Add water or stock, cover and cook 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking. Add more water if necessary. When cabbage is tender, almost all the liquid will have cooked away. Makes 6 servings
HERB-ROASTED RED POTATOES
1 pound red potatoes, cut in 11/2- inch pieces; 1-4 cloves garlic, chopped; 3-4 tablespoons of your favorite fresh herb: Chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, fennel, dill, etc; 3-4 tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat potatoes with other ingredients and spread out on a shallow baking dish. Roast until tender, 40-45 minutes. Makes 2-4 servings; Recipe from Patricia Schindler
PERUVIAN POTATOES WITH CHILES AND CHEESE
2 pounds red potatoes; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 cup finely chopped red onion; 2 minced hot peppers; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 cup milk; 6 ounces feta, crumbled; 3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped; 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro; salt and pepper to taste
Boil potatoes in salted water until nearly tender. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-low flame. Add onions; cook 5 minutes. Add hot peppers and garlic; cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain potatoes; cut into cubes. Add potatoes and milk to onions. Simmer until potatoes absorb some liquid. Stir in feta and eggs; heat briefly. Stir in cilantro, salt, and pepper. Makes 6 serving; Recipe from MACSAC
KOHLRABI PARMESAN
3 medium kohlrabi, trimmed of stalks and leaves; 2 T unsalted butter; 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 T minced parsley
Peel kohlrabi 1/8 in deep. Shred with grater or food processor. Cook kohlrabi in butter over medium heat, stirring often, until tender, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese, salt and pepper. Toss and cook just until the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Garnish with the parsley and serve immediately. 4 servings.
COUSCOUS WITH KOHLRABI AND CHERMOULA DRESSING
1-2 teaspoons minced garlic 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons minced cilantro 2-3 cups cooked couscous, cooled to warm temperature 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, 2 cups peeled, diced kohlrabi 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 cup diced radishes 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 16 kalamata or oil-cured imported black olives, salt chopped (optional) 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Mix garlic, cilantro, parsley, paprika, cumin, and salt to taste. Stir in lemon juice and olive oil. Toss this mixture with couscous. Bring to room temperature. Gently toss with kohlrabi, radishes, and olives (if desired). Serve as is, or sprinkle with feta cheese. Makes 6 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
BRATWURST KOHLRABI VEGETABLE SOUP WITH PUMPERNICKEL DILL CROUTONS
1 tablespoon butter, divided, 1/3 cup thin-sliced dill pickles, 2 cooked bratwursts, thin-sliced, 1/2 teaspoon dill weed, 1 cup chopped onions, salt and pepper, 2 medium kohlrabi, peeled, thin-sliced, and chopped, 1/2 cup thin-sliced bok choy stalks, 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted, 3 cans (each 14 1/2 ounces) beef broth
Croutons: 1/2 teaspoon dill weed, 1 cup thin-sliced potatoes, 1 1/2 cups cubed pumpernickel bread
Brown bratwurst in pot with 1/2 tablespoon butter. Remove and reserve meat. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter, onions, kohlrabi, celery, and fennel seeds; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in beef broth, potatoes, pickles, dill weed, bratwurst, and 2/3 cup water; simmer 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 1 or more hours to develop flavor. To make croutons, combine ingredients; bake 10-15 minutes in 400-degree oven, tossing occasionally. Feel free to substitute pre-made croutons. Serve with reheated soup. Makes 6 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
KOHLRABI SLAW
2 kohlrabi; water to cover; 1/8 cup oil; 1/2 tablespoon wine vinegar; 1/8 teaspoon dill seeds; pinch of pepper; salt to taste; 1 tablespoon yogurt
Cook kohlrabi in water until tender. Drain and reserve liquid for soup. Cool, peel and cut into strips. Combine remaining ingredients, pour over kohlrabi and serve as a salad or side dish. 2 servings
ITALIAN-STYLE SWEET ONIONS AND PASTA
2 lbs sweet onions, sliced; 1/4 c olive oil; 1/3 c water; 1/4 lb pancetta, slivered; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 1 Lb bucatini or fettuccine; 1/2 c shredded Parmesan
Sauté onions in hot oil in a large skillet 1 minute. Add water. Cover and cook over low heat 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed to keep from sticking. Add pancetta. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered over medium heat, stirring, until mixture turns light golden color. Stir in parsley. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, and then drain pasta. Add pasta to skillet; mix. If sauce is too dry add a bit of the pasta water. Serve hot with Parmesan on the side. Makes 8 servings
BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SAGE SHALLOT APPLE DRESSING
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 tbsp each chopped fresh sage and parsley; (6 ounces each) 2 heaping cups dried bread cubes or croutons; 1 tbsp butter; salt and pepper to taste; 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots; 1/2-2/3 cup chicken broth;
1 cup finely chopped tart apple
Oil a baking pan. Trim chicken of all fat; flatten meat by pounding it lightly with a flat, heavy utensil. Place in pan. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook shallots in butter on stove top until tender, 4-5 minutes. Stir in apples, herbs, bread cubes, salt, pepper, and just enough chicken broth to make a moist stuffing. Mound on chicken. Bake until stuffing has browned and chicken is tender, 20-25 minutes. Makes 4 servings. Recipe from MACSAC
DAIKON CARROT SALAD
3/4# daikon radish, 1/2# carrots, 1T grated peeled ginger, 1.5T unseasoned rice vinegar, 1t lime juice, 2T vegetable oil, 1/2 t toasted sesame seed oil, 1t white sesame seeds, 1t black sesame seed
Shave the daikon into ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Toss with 1/8 t salt in a colander, let drain in the sink, tossing occasionally, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile shave the carrots into ribbons with the peeler.
Make the dressing: Whisk the ginger, vinegar, lime juice and 1/4t salt in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the vegetable oil and sesame oil until blended. Toast the sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until the white seeds are golden, about 5 minutes. Add 1T seeds to dressing.
Toss the daikon and carrots with the dressing and season with salt. Top with the remaining sesame seeds.
Serves 4; Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine
BRAISED RADISHES
1# daikon radishes trimmed of tops and roots and cut into 1 inch slices, 1.5 C chicken stock, 2T butter cut into bits, 1 large shallot, thinly sliced, 2T sugar, 1T red wine vinegar, salt and pepper
Place the sliced radishes in a skillet with the stock, butter bits, shallots, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Cover the pan and bring to a boil. Uncover the pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook radishes 10-12 minutes. If the stock has not cooked away remove the radishes and cook down until 1/2 cup, about 2 minutes. Serve the radishes with any remaining stock. Recipe from Rachel Ray