Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Romanesco Cauliflower



The produce we received from the CSA this season was flavorful, fresh, and lasted much longer in the refrigerator than produce purchased at the food store; it was also gorgeous. There were many varieties of vegetables that never show up in the produce section of chain super markets. I wish I had taken more time to photograph the most visually interesting of the vegetables; Savoy cabbage, Russian kale, cranberry beans, dragons tongue beans, Misato radish, husk fruit (tomatillos and gooseberries), purple broccoli, purple peppers, rainbow Swiss chard, and finally Romanesco Cauliflower.

This heirloom vegetable is one of my favorites that came out of the CSA. It's as tasty as it is beautiful. I simply sautéed it with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and tossed with pasta.

Remove the cauliflower heads and cut the larger pieces in half or into bite sized pieces. I tried to keep the integrity of each floret in tact. Blanch the pieces in water about 1 inch deep for a minute or two. In a separate pan, heat 1-2 tbsp. of oil and a few cloves of crushed garlic, turning the heat to low when the garlic is added. Drain the cauliflower and add immediately to the oil/garlic mixture. Add salt & pepper, raise the heat to medium and sauté until edges begin to brown.

Friday, November 6, 2009

THE END CSA (our) weeks 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22




Our week 18, November 12th, 2009

1. Lettuce
2. Mei Quing Choi – Green OR Red
3. Broccoli
4. Leeks
5. Turnips: Golden Globe AND/OR Red Japanese
6. Pepper: Anaheim (flesh is sweet and the seeds are hot)
7. Beans: Green (the last of these)


Our week 19, November 19th, 2009

1. Garlic
2. Kale: Russian, Red
3. Cauliflower: Green
4. Sweet Potatoes
5. Radicchio
6. Winter Radish: Daikon


Our week 20, November 26, 2009
1. Sweet Potatoes
2. Rutabagas
3. Broccoli Raab (Rape/Rabe)
4. Fennel
5. Sage

Our week 21, December 3rd, 2009

1. Sweet Potatoes
2. Tat Soi
3. Kale: Curly
4. Beets
5. Cauliflower: Romanesco
6. Cabbage: Savoy

Our week 22, December 10th, 2009 (THE END)

1. Sweet Potatoes
2. Rosemary
3. Celeriac (Celery Root)
4. Beans: Black Turtle (dried)
5. Cauliflower: Romanesco OR White
6. Carrots

CSA (our) week 17 November 5th, 2009











1. Lettuce
2. Fennel
3. Cauliflower
4. Kale: Russian, White
5. Turnips, White (with purple shoulders)
6. Potatoes, Sweet
7. Beans: Cranberry (shelling)


Lettuce...

Fennel: Last time things did not work out so nicely between me and fennel. I think I have an idea for creamy fennel mashed potatoes. I will let you know how that goes.

The kale is a variety I haven't tried before. Its leaves are really beautiful. I haven't decided if I want to make them into kale chips or use the bunch in some other way.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sweet Potato Chili

The sweet potatoes we've been getting from the CSA are the best I've ever had. I am a huge fan of the sweet potato. I love a baked sweet potato with the insides mashed and mixed with applesauce. However, I haven't quite figured out how to incorporate protein into that combination (nor do I actually foresee anyone being as in love with the idea as I am.)
6 Lbs is a lot of potatoes. Some were used in the sweet potato falafel but that still leaves me with close to 4.5 lbs with more to come [most likely].

So I thought I'd play down the sweetness of the sweet potato with a savory dish and make some chili (SPICY, of course)

This makes about 6 servings

3 lbs sweet potatoes
1/2 sweet onion
2 carrots
2 stalks of celery
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 can of beans (or 1 cup of dried or fresh beans)
[I used cranberry because they were fresh from the CSA. In general, I use kidney or garbanzo beans]
1 1/2 cup stock
Chili powder
Chipotle pepper powder (chipotles in adobo or smoked paprika can be substituted)
Red or cayenne pepper ground

Bake the sweet potatoes for about 1 hr making sure they are soft all the way through
If you're looking for a chunkier chili you can leave them a little firm.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool before removing the flesh from the skin. Remove the flesh into a bowl and mash with a potato masher until you have the desired consistency. They don’t have to be as smooth as mashed potatoes but whatever lumps you have left will probably stick around.
Dice the onion, carrots and celery.
Heat the oil and add your diced vegetables. Allow the vegetables to cook until they are soft and then add in the sweet potatoes.
Thin out the chili to your desired consistency using the stock. Add a little at a time.
Add the seasoning to taste. I never measure.
I probably use somewhere around 4 tablespoons of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of chipotle (more if you're using smoked paprika) and 1/2 tablespoon of red or cayenne pepper.
Allow the chili to cook covered for about 30 minutes.