Hi friends! Sorry about the delayed post. It’s funny, but on my days off work, I somehow seem to have less time than usual! I was running around all day today (4 subway rides + 2 buses so far) and just now got home and onto the computer. On one errand, I found myself back at the library twice today… I’ve now got seven books checked out. Not exactly sure when I’m going to read them all, but I get excited every time I look over and see them struggling for shelf space with my other books and papers.
Last night, my friend and I made our very first pickup at our local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). We joined back in March, when we were still in parkas and the thought of summer vegetables was almost a joke, but now it’s here and we couldn’t be happier! Each week, we’ll pick up a share (we’re splitting 1 vegetable and 1 fruit share) of whatever the farmers have to offer. The pickup is in a back building of a big stone church, so while I waited for my friend, I sat on a bench outside and watched all kinds of people walk into the church and back out again, greens poking out of their tote bags.
Here’s what we got this week:
- red and rainbow chard
- kale
- spring onions
- garlic
- garlic scapes
- beets
- radishes
Because I go through vegetables like they’re water, I’ll still need to buy some additional things each week, and our fruit share doesn’t start until July. But I’m excited! It was fun to see other members of the community who are interested in fresh food and knowing where it comes from. And I’d never tried a garlic scape before!
It tastes like a cross between scallions and garlic, with the consistency of a scallion. When I made my dinner last night, I substituted 1 whole scape + 1 chopped spring onion for the garlic, used kale + chard for the greens, and caramelized up more tempeh.
Sweet Potato Stuffed with Caramelized Tempeh and Sautéed Swiss Chard
I did a little grocery shopping today and first on my list: basil. For pesto. I LOVE pesto. I’ve been meaning to make some of my own, and whenever I have extra basil, I always think I’ll get around to doing it. Today was the day! I’ve been craving it hardcore lately. I like my pesto super lemony, but if you’re less inclined, you can start with 1 T of lemon juice and work from there.
SUMMER PESTO
Makes about 1/2 cup
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 T lemon juice
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/4 t pepper
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 T water
- 1 bunch fresh basil (about 1 oz)
- 2 T cashews
Process or blend first six ingredients until smooth. Add basil and cashews, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
The choices are endless, but here are a few fun ways to use pesto!
- on sandwiches
Raisin-sunflower toast with pesto and radishes - in pasta with white beans and spinach
- on grilled vegetables
- as a garnish on soup
- on pizza
- in a Caprese salad
- in scrambled eggs, whipped with goat cheese
Basil & Goat Cheese Scramble at Good
Well, I’m off for an early bird special with a lady friend. Hope you’re having a good day!
Have you ever belonged to a CSA? What did you think? If you’re currently participating, what did you get in your share this week?
This is my second year being in a CSA and I really like it (although sometimes it’s a challenge to use up all the veg before they go bad). Do you know who your farmer is? We have Ted from Windflower Farms and I know he delivers to a bunch of other NYC sites…
yay, garlic scapes!
I belong to one called in Bountiful Basket and it’s SOO nice to get fresh produce everyweek for only $15. I used to split it with someone so I wouldn’t waste, but I just recently started eating a lot more veggies so no waste here
*in Arizona called Bountiful Baskets
I want that summer pesto now! My fiance would love that. He is all about pesto nowadays!!
I just picked up a CSA for my friend and loved the experience and got similar items. So fun to use the veggies and they were super fresh and delicious!
I also made a pesto! Go figure. 
I totally want to join a CSA! Instead, I usually just go to the local farmers market. I’ve heard such good things about garlic scapes. And the pesto looks FANTASTIC!
You know I love CSAs! You got a great haul – especially those garlic scapes!!
I used to get a CSA here in San Diego. I found that every other week, it was TOO much produce ALL at once. Like the first 5 days we were innundated and scrambling to use it up, the last 5 days, we were dry. It was a timing issue. For me, I’d rather go to the market every 2-5 days and get an appropriate amt of food rather than TONS all at once, and then not enough later. But I adore CSAs, I think they are awesome, and one day I will sign up again. I was a member, for THREE YEARS…every other week, so I did make it work
when we lived in the ‘burbs in central pa we used to have a CSA and it was wonderful! i loved working on the farm and getting our stock of stuff every week. however, now that we live in the city, we’re like 1 mile from 3 grocery stores and the prices are decent so we opted out this year!
I am totally the same way, today was my day off and I feel like I had less down time then I do on the days that I work!
I have been wanting to make some pesto, so I may just have to try my hand at your recipe!
Beautiful haul of veggies! I have been reluctant to join a CSA because I, too, go through veggies at a rapid rate–I know I would have to supplement!
I don’t belong to a CSA (not so many of those schemes in the UK, more community food co ops but the veggies are from all over the place so not really supporting farmers) but I am part of an organic veg box delivery scheme. I love it as it makes me get really creative! I’m expecting gooseberries and fava beans this week!
I’ve never heard of that!! I like to use pesto by spreading it on baguette slices, adding tomato slices and fresh mozzarella slices and then putting them in the broiler for a snack or an appetizer.
Your CSA box this week looks almost identical to mine here in MN.
I see that you picked up Quakeland and I had to comment. Francesca Lia Block is absolutely my favorite author. I didn’t prefer Quakeland, though. May I suggest ‘Wasteland” (my favorite book ever) and ‘The Rose and the Beast’? Though I certainly enjoy all of her books, those are what designated her as my favorite author of all time. Happy reading!
pesto = love. i NEED to make some soon! and i really wish i had more time to read. i miss reading for pleasure SO much
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Thank you for this really insightful entry. I certainly agree with you.