Category Archives: papaya

2018 CSA Winter January 27th

2018 CSA Winter January 27th

  • Arugula 10×10
  • Thai Basil Box
  • Poultry Herb Mix
  • Parsley
  • Beet Greens
  • Papaya
  • Dozen Eggs
  • Micro Cilantro
  • Micro Celery

SPECIAL BONUS! This week with the addition of a dozen of our colorful and delicious eggs! Did you know that our chickens eat most of what we grow here, too? Cuttings, culls and damaged produce are a treat for our birds. Your eggs can be used to whip up a frittata (as presented by Ms. Patti Rowe at above right) or a quiche or omelette, or try them scrambled, any of which would pair nicely with the arugula. For a quiche, I use a nine-inch shell, layer in the arugula, chopped bite sized, and grated cheese (try a sharp white cheddar), and beaten eggs (6-9). You can add a dash of milk, salt and pepper, a dollop of pesto or smoked paprika, etc, to your liking. But really, DO try the eggs and the arugula together. It is as simple as scrambling some eggs, then towards the last 2-3 minutes, scissor cut the arugula in bite sized cuts right into the pan with your scramble. Continue turning the eggs over and over the arugula to steam it a bit. When the eggs are done, you might like a grating of cheese as a garnish. If grated right into the pan, it can then be covered with a lid, (fire has been turned off), to melt over the top.    

 

There is one short cut that I enjoy in the kitchen when time is short: pre-formed pie crusts. They can be purchased already pressed into a pan and trimmed, usually in the frozen foods department. Or try my favorites, pie crust dough that comes rolled up. These are nice as I can shape them however I want in whatever dish or pan. I have used these to make mini papaya pies inside the cups of a cupcake pan, using a goblet to cut the pastry dough into smaller circles. Remaining dough can be kneaded back together and rolled out to cut a few more rounds. 

 

Microgreens

2018 CSA Winter January 20th

2018 CSA Winter January 20th

  • Mixed Field Greens
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Parsley
  • Thai Basil Box
  • Micro Celery
  • Micro Collards
  • Micro Tatsoi
  • Papaya

So many flavorful and nutritious herbs and greens for you this week… often it is topic of conversation of health linked to what we eat and questions about cancer prevention comes up. Wanted to share some of NIH’s National Cancer Institute findings on cruciferous vegetables (of which collards and tatsoi are related). “In addition (to being rich in vitamins, etc), cruciferous vegetables contain a group of substances known as glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing chemicals. These chemicals are responsible for the pungent aroma and bitter flavor of cruciferous vegetables.

During food preparation, chewing, and digestion, the glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables are broken down to form biologically active compounds such as indoles, nitriles, thiocyanates, and isothiocyanates (1). Indole-3-carbinol (an indole) and sulforaphane (an isothiocyanate) have been most frequently examined for their anticancer effects.

Indoles and isothiocyanates have been found to inhibit the development of cancer in several organs in rats and mice, including the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung, and stomach (2, 3). Studies in animals and experiments with cells grown in the laboratory have identified several potential ways in which these compounds may help prevent cancer:

  • They help protect cells from DNA damage.
  • They help inactivate carcinogens.
  • They have antiviral and antibacterial effects.
  • They have anti-inflammatory effects.
  • They induce cell death (apoptosis).
  • They inhibit tumor blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and tumor cell migration (needed for metastasis).

(end quote) Quite fascinating science! Celery can apparently cause the release of pheromone androstanol and is used as an aphrodisiac. To your health and pleasure always. Enjoy!

2018 CSA Winter January 13th

2018 CSA Winter January 13th

• Mixed Field Greens
• Baby Arugula
• Micro Collards
• Micro Red Cabbage
• Poultry Herbs
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Chervil
• Papaya
• Turmeric

Today’s corresponding photos are for further development on previous recipe suggestions for your CSA goods. The photos above refer back to ideas for spring rolls; the third image below right is courtesy of lavatnus.blogspot.com and is a diagram on how to fold your rice paper wrap into a spring roll.  Ingredients can be anything you like to flavor your roll, but was inspired to bring this recipe up again with this week’s mixed field greens, arugula, microgreens, papaya and turmeric in the offering. Consider dressings or dips that would complement your ingredients chosen such as soy sauce, fish sauce, plum paste, vinegars or pickles,  or even a barbeque sauce. Rice paper wraps are simple to use and very fast to prepare. Line up chopped mixed greens, mixed microgreens and arugula, skinned and sliced papaya with an eye on length of your rice paper, and grated turmeric, along with any other fillings you may like such as beef strips, shrimp, etc. Once you have your filling selections lined up, it’s time to wrap then up. I use a large frying pan in which I heat up about an inch and a half of water to just about too hot to handle and then turn the flame off. Gently I guide the rice paper into the water at a very shallow angle, moving it though the bath in about 10 seconds. Then it is laid out and the filling placed, and the wrap is closed up. (See diagram) The metal lunch box came from C’ville Oriental.   

To your health and pleasure always. Enjoy! <3