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2017 CSA_Winter_Jan_14 Crock Pot Kale

2017 CSA Winter January 14

2017 CSA Winter January 14

  • Fresh Ginger
  • Fresh Turmeric
  • Papaya
  • Jalapenos
  • Mixed Greens
  • Baby Kale
  • Arugula
  • Chervil
  • Delicata Squash
  • Cherry Tomatoes

2017 CSA Winter January 14: Yes! there are some jalapenos in your share this week! A nice southwestern soup can be enhanced by these…just add one to a pureed squash base, adding a bit of cream, cumin, sage, garlic or onion, the jalapeno can be roasted or diced raw and then simmered until soft. We like to stuff the jalapenos with cheese and roast, leaving some unstuffed for future dishes. The soup can be topped with cheese and garnished with halves of the cherry tomatoes. Dip in with a nicely toasted bread or some tortilla chips. Speaking of tortilla chips, the jalapeno would also go well with the papaya for a salsa…To make quick work of the kale, Mike likes to roast up veggies into stew and add in the kale leaves at the end, so that they are just wilted when they reach his bowl. For an incredible fresh tea experience, grate the fresh ginger and turmeric into a pot of water (1½ in. of each, per serving) and boil. Add a dash of black pepper to enhance absorption. Strain into cups, using lemon and honey to taste. Powerful! Enjoy!

 

Jan 7 2017 snow

2017 CSA Winter January 7th

2017 CSA Winter January 7th

  • Fresh Ginger
  • Fresh Turmeric
  • Papaya
  • Lemon
  • Kumquats
  • Baby Kale
  • Baby Red Sorrel
  • Tatsoi
  • Arugula
  • Mint
  • Lemongrass
  • Delicata
  • Tomatoes

2017 CSA Winter January 7th: Citrus, tropical fruits and rhizomes! An exotic start to the new year…More info from Dr. Carlin Rafie on turmeric, listing its usage for the following: respiratory conditions, liver disorders, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, cough and sinusitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, sprains and swelling. Shealso references the therapeutic effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, thrombosuppressive, antiarthritic, and cardioprotective. I have a friend who likes it in the kitchen as a medical aid for cuts, helping to stop bleeding, lend analgesic action and antibiotic treatment.  Recent findings stongly suggest that turmeric be used together with black pepper as it greatly increases the bioavailability of the curcumin compounds, with one stating that it was raised by 2000%. Curries and golden milk are popular uses for turmeric; i like it combined with ginger, cinnamon, coconut milk and as a tea, chopping it fresh into the pot with a dash of black pepper and using it as a base for brewing my favorite tea bag, adding a dash of milk or cream for a bit of fat as that also increases absorption. Imagine it as a spicy carrot flavor and grate it along with your ginger for a quick stir-fry of your tatsoi with a dash of black pepper into some coconut oil…yum! Have a great week, all!

Mike with ginger

2016 CSA Fall December 31st

2016 CSA Fall December 31st

  • Fresh Ginger
  • Baby Red Kale
  • Chervil
  • Delicata Squash
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Hot Peppers
  • Chives
  • Pineapple Sage
  • Papaya
  • Arugula
  • Lavender

2016 CSA Fall December 31st:

So many benefits to eating fresh, locally grown foods… This week Michael wanted to share some of the amazing properties of ginger. Dr. Carlin Rafie gave a presentation at VSU about her research that included the following: therapeutic effects of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, analgesic, and anti-microbial. She also touched on its uses in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Hindu medicine, treating digestive disorders, nausea and morning sickness, arthritis, muscular discomfort, headaches, the common cold, and inflammatory conditions. Michael documents these educational conferences at vsuag.net. Making it easy to use all year long, he grinds it up with honey to a paste and pops it in the freezer for tea, adding a large teaspoon to hot water for a delicious cup. We also store it whole in the freezer and grate into our stir-fry or on top of squash for fresh ginger flavor. We will chop the root and greens fresh for a pot of tea, utilizing the benefits of the whole plant. The leaves and stalks can be used as a wrap and stuffing for meats/fish, as an infusion similar to bay leaf or lemongrass. These also make a nice base for Asian stock. The tomatoes, peppers and ginger are part of the core for Michael’s hot sauces and make a great combo for curry dishes.  Here is to spicing up your cold days! Cheers!