Spring finally exploded here, and my market haul took two trips to the car. For a mere $40.00 I came home with peaches, two bunches of asparagus, 2 lbs. of collard greens, 2 heads of lettuce, a huge head of Savoy cabbage, cilantro, amaranth leaves, spring onions, kohlrabi, strawberries and blueberries, 2 bulbs of garlic, and 2 lb. green beans. I don’t even want to guess what the same stuff grown “no spray” at the market would have cost me in the “organic” produce section of the store. Many of the farmers I know are not certified organic, but practice sustainable methods, so I look for people I trust, not USDA logos. I like it that way.
The two “experiments” in my haul are, of course, kohlrabi and amaranth. I heard more than one remark, “But what do you do with it?” over these items. I am determined to find out. For the kohlrabi, which is a combination word from German and German Swiss for “cabbage” and “turnip,” the mild radish-like flavor and crunch lends itself to a tangy kohlrabi slaw recipe.
For the rest of the carnival, entries from all of you include some great recipes and advice this week. Reader posts after the jump.
CSA
Lisa Spinelli presents <a href=”http://greenerpastures.responsiblepersonalfinance.com/2008/03/19/the-100-mile-diet/”>The 100 Mile Diet | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures: Personal Finance, saying, “How a novice slowly comes to terms with eating locally. Includes a link to the 100 Mile Radius Finder for the USA and Canada.”
farmers
Sahara Reins presents What to do with Rooster Spurs posted at Fowl Visions.
farmers market
Christine presents Open Air Market in Barcelona posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France.
Sara Ost presents Seasonal Eating: Roasted Beets (Plus Seven Tasty Suggestions) posted at Sara Ost.
Joy Weese Moll presents How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Whole Chickens posted at The Spiral of Seasons.
valereee presents Sorrel soup posted at Cincinnati Locavore, saying, “Sorrel is in season now and available at the farmers’ markets!”
Linda W. presents Eating Well On Your Budget Vacation posted at The Eclectic Female, saying, “Eating out cheaply while on vacation can be tough, but is definitely doable.”
recipe
FitBuff presents Guest Chef Video – Healthy Chicken Tacos posted at FitBuff.com’s Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog, saying, “In the video, I explain the delicate and intricate process of creating healthy chicken tacos, much in the same vein as the “Dumb Guys Guide” on how to cook salmon from a few months ago…”
Manjula Jain presents Vegetable (Navratan) Korma » Manjula’s Kitchen | Indian Vegetarian Recipes posted at Manjula’s Kitchen, saying, “Vegetable Korma is a delicious combination of several vegetables in a creamy sauce.”
valereee presents Strawberry Preserves (no-pectin recipe) posted at Cincinnati Locavore, saying, “There are two secrets for making no-pectin strawberry preserves!”
Thx for the link to the no-pectin strawberry preserves. I just got my shipment of 10(!) live plants and the catalogue promises that I’ll get 10kg of strawberries from them. I think I’m going to need a good strawberry preserve recipe. Although who am I kidding – if I manage to get the strawberries out of the garden and into the house without the little lady snaffling them up, it’ll be a miracle!