Wednesday, September 16

Can I interest you in a bag of potatoes?

We are talking about food this week, but I bet you figured that out!

This summer I did something I've wanted to do ever since I heard about it - I signed up for CSA, that is, Community Supported Agriculture. Basically: in the spring you pay some money to a local farm for a share of what they grow. Based on how many shares are sold, the farm starts plantin'. Then, in summer and fall, you get a pile of fresh, seasonal produce (which you pick up from whatever pickup point is close). It's great because a) it forces you to try new things, b) supports local farmers, c) keeps you with a steady supply of fresh and usually organic fruits & veggies, which we all know are good for us.

I bought one share and have tried to keep up, but despite my best efforts the produce is piling up. Especially potatoes. Every week. Lots and lots of potatoes. It's a bumper crop of potatoes! Red ones, yellow ones, and even purple ones. Fortunately, they keep for a long time. Unfortunately, I do not have a root cellar with an entire potato room.

Other than a backlog of tomatoes and peppers (and of course spuds), CSA has been a good thing. There is only one thing I've received that I do. not. like. Yes, the dreaded eggplant. I'm not sure what my issue is with our friend the aubergine, but I think it's a texture thing. i.e. slime. I do however love baba ganoush! That is the only thing I can do with eggplant and enjoy. If you don't know about it, it's a superyummytastic Middle Eastern dip you have with pita. Here's a recipe.

Of all the things you could receive in a surprise box of produce, what would make you say, "Ohhhyeah!" and what would make you say, "Ohhhnooooo!"?

13 comments:

Hi! I'm Wendi! said...

Hmmm - most squee-worthy would have to be sweet corn, tomatoes and. . . eggplant. Have you ever tried roasted ratatouille? All the veggies in a ratatouille but tossed in olive oil, salt & pepper and roasted at a high temp instead of stewed. Yum! Buy my favorite is Sicilian-style caponata. This recipe is my fave http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/caponata-panini-recipe/index.html. Good on its own, hot or at room temperature, served plain or over couscous or tucked in a pita. It's the thing I reheat for lunch that brings my coworkers into my office wanting to know what that awesome smell is.

Sara Z. said...

I admit that I have done the roasted eggplant with tomatoes and onions and olive oil (and drizzle of balsamic) before and not hated it. But if the piece of eggplant is in my mouth too long and I start thinking about it being there and being slimy, I get an oogy feeling.

Wendy Toliver said...

yes to tomatoes and no way to asparagus.

Sara Z. said...

What? Asparagus is le'awesome! Maybe you haven't had it prepared correctly! (Don't you hate it when people say that?)

Sara Hantz said...

Send the potatoes to me... they're my favorite food of all time!!

Heather Zundel said...

For some reason, there was this eggplant lasagna I had one time that tasted really good. Maybe that might tempt your taste buds (and the sauce may cover up any eggplanty flavor). But look at all that purple food! That has to be my favorite part, by far, :)

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

"Ohhhyeah! artichokes and avocados!!"

"Ohhhnooooo! Brussels sprouts!!"

*laughs*

Sara Z. said...

I have learned to LOVE brussel sprouts by oven roasting them at HIGH heat (like 425) with generous amount of olive oil and kosher salt, til the outer leaves get charred and crispy. SO GOOD.

Alyson Noel said...

I like it all!!

But major big OhhhYeahhh to Avocados and heirloom tomatoes, and . . .

Gerb said...

Sarah, can your local food pantry use some of that overabundance of potatoes?

I'm big oooh! for tomatoes, fresh green beans and snow peas and Noooo! for bell peppers. Can't eat 'em. I do love how they look, though. So pretty!

Lauren Baratz-Logsted said...

I'm with Kelly:

"Artichokes and avocados? Yes! Now take those steenking Brussel sprouts away."

Melissa Walker said...

I just got a big ol' eggplant this week from the farmshare! I wanted more tomatoes but there was a dreaded tomato disease this year in upstate NY. I'm super happy with my bright apples this week, though. Making a tart!

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