Category Archives: winter greens

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!

2017CSA_Fall_Dec_9

2017 CSA Fall December 9th Papaya

2017 CSA Fall December 9th Papaya

• Watercress Box
• Baby Kale Box
• Baby Tatsoi Box
• Chervil
• Poultry Herbs
• Dill
• 2 Acorn Squash
• 1 Butternut
• Orange Sweet Potatoes
• Papaya ripe

Papaya pie! Yeah, a little different, but I wanted to share my results: skinned, deseeded and chopped papaya was tossed with juice from 2 limes, !approximately ¾ cup of brown sugar, 2 tbs of honey, 1 ½ tbs of cornstarch, plus healthy dashes of cinnamon and vanilla. This was poured into a prepared pie shell and baked on a jelly roll pan at 350F for 30 minutes. I thought it looked a little runny at end time so I dusted the top with some more cornstarch, used a spoon to gently fold that into the papaya filling and baked it for at least another 20 minutes. See the results in the photos and please overlook the tell-tale dusting trail…we thought it turned out very yummy! Maybe you will try it?

 

Turmeric

2017 CSA Fall December 2nd Turmeric

2017 CSA Fall December 2nd Turmeric

  • Watercress 8×8
  • Baby Kale 8×8
  • Baby Tatsoi 8×8
  • Chervil
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Chives
  • 2 Butternut Squash
  • 2 Acorn Squash
  • Papaya
  • Blue/Purple Sweet Potatoes
  • Turmeric*
  • Ginger*

While building from this week’s CSA ingredients, I find all I need to add to this grocery list is a dozen eggs. The greens and herbs can be used to make a quiche, frittata, or homemade pasta as well as enjoyed raw alongside a meal, in a sandwich or even a wrap. Two to three eggs and the butternut, roasted and pureed, becomes the base for a “pumpkin” pie (the flavor and consistency is more of how we dream of for pumpkin pie, try it! Great substitute). Any greens and herbs can also be frozen, in a paste, or chopped to add to later dishes such as lentils, stews, curries and pot pies.

 

And of course, these are all packed with flavorful aromatic medicinal healing qualities…just check out the antimicrobial activities of herbs and essential oils…blows my mind sometime how we miss that the kitchen cupboard is also the medicine chest.

To your health and your pleasure, always, leslie