This Week's Harvest (Oct. 16, 2018)
Temperatures are dropping this week! So we’ve curated an immune-boosting bag of produce with plenty of Vitamin C and antioxidants to boost the body’s defenses during the seasonal shift, and included recipes that are warm and hearty for the body and soul! Check it out below!
Here's what you'll be getting this week:
Items (Ct/Bag)
Plums/Ciruelas (3)
6 oz Blackberries/Moras
Dragon fruit/Pitaya (2)
1 lb baby golden potatoes/Papas pequeñas doradas
1 lb Brussels sprouts/Coles de Bruselas
Pickling cucumbers/Pepinos (8)
1/2 lb baby carrots/zanahorias
Organic hydro lettuce/Lechuga biólogica (1)
Replacement Items/Productos Intercambiables
Mangoes (2)
Beefsteak tomatoes/Tomates grandes (2)
Jalapeños (7)
Spaghetti squash/Calabaza espagueti (1)
Kohlrabi/Colinabo (4)
Flash Sale Items
2 lbs seedless grapes/uvas sin semillas
Avocados/Aguacates (2)
Notes
What on earth is dragon fruit and what do I do with it?
What it is: Dragon fruit is the beautiful fruit of several species of tropical cacti native to the Americas. They are vibrant pink and yellow on the outside (like a dragon!), and purple or white with tiny [edible] black seeds on the inside. (The dragon fruit we’re sending you this week are purple on the inside!)
How it tastes: They are sweet and very juicy, with a flavor like a cross between a kiwi and a pear.
Health benefits: Dragon fruit has tons of antioxidants, lots of Vitamin C, some healthy fats, and minerals too! They are great for the immune system, heart, and lungs.
Storage tips: Ripe dragon fruit can be stored on the counter for a few days. To store longer, seal in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.
How to eat: You can cut them in half and then use the inedible skin as a bowl, while you scoop out the tender flesh and eat it with a spoon. Or you can check out the recipes section for more ideas on how to use this amazing and gorgeous fruit!
What on earth is spaghetti squash and what do I do with it?
What it is: Spaghetti squash is an oblong, yellow winter squash. It has rigid skin on the outside and, once cooked, soft flesh on the inside that easily pulls off into spaghetti-like strands, hence its name
How it tastes: Spaghetti squash has a very mild, lightly sweet/starchy flavor which makes it a great pasta substitute and vehicle for yummy sauces!
Health benefits: Spaghetti squash contains lots of fiber, as well as Vitamins A, B, and C. It’s great for the skin, digestive system, and circulatory system!
Storage tips: Spaghetti squash stores best in a cool, dry place. At 55 - 60 degrees (cooler than room temp, but warmer than the fridge) it will last for up to 3 months. At room temp, 1 month, and in the fridge, 1 - 2 weeks.
How to eat: Cut it in half the long way, remove the seeds, place in a baking dish, cut side down with about 1 inch of water, and bake at 350F for about 45 minutes, until tender. Remove, let cool, and scrape the flesh with a fork to pull apart the spaghetti-like strands. Then mix with your favorite marinara sauce and add meatballs too, if you like! See the recipes section for more ideas!
What on earth is kohlrabi and what do I do with it?
What it is: Real talk -- kohlrabi looks like an alien. But we promise it’s a vegetable. The word “kohlrabi” (coal-rob-eee) is German for “turnip cabbage”, and we can see why! It looks like a turnip, and is a variety of wild cabbage.
How it tastes: Kohlrabi tastes like a sweeter, milder version of broccoli, with a texture of broccoli stems, but a bit softer.
Health benefits: Kohlrabi is highly valued around the world for its health benefits. It has lots of minerals, plus Vitamins A, B, C, and K, and plenty of antioxidants too! It’s great for digestion and the circulatory system, and can even boost energy!
Storage tips: Use the leaves and stalks within a couple days. After that, scrub the bulbs clean, wrap them loosely in a plastic or paper bag, and refrigerate for up to several weeks.
How to eat: Enjoy the greens just as you would turnip greens, mustard greens, or kale. The bulb’s peel is tough and unpleasant to eat, so remove it with a vegetable peeler or paring knife. From there, there are so many possibilities! Eat it raw -- cut into sticks and paired with dips, or shredded into a salad. Or cook it up -- it’s great roasted, stir-fried, or even steamed and mashed. See the recipes section for more ideas.
Really Yummy Recipes
Mango Dragon Smoothie (swap the blackberries in where the recipe calls for raspberries) Summer Rolls with Dragon Fruit -- the recipe calls for mangoes, avocados, and bell peppers, but you can add in any other veggies you like from this week’s bag too -- we think carrots or kohlrabi would be great!
Pickling cucumbers can be eaten just like any other cucumber. But if you want to make a Quick Pickle, we’ve got a recipe for you!
Spaghetti squash gets its name from the way that its flesh falls into strands that look like spaghetti. For that reason, it can also be used in place of pasta for a healthier alternative, and once you roast and shred it, the faux-pasta-bilities are endless! Warm yourself up on these chilly fall evening with Coconut Curry Spaghetti Squash or Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti Squash. ¡O Calabaza Espagueti Cremosa con Tomates en español!
As the temperature falls this week, warm yourself up from the inside out! Grab some kohlrabi and pair it with carrots in this Kohlrabi Vegetable Stew, or try it with potatoes in this “Cream” of Kohlrabi Soup!
ENJOY!
