Lots of our CSA picker-uppers were mystified by the bag of garden peas in the share-boxes this week. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. A quick web search revealed that 95% of all green peas are sold frozen or canned. I had no idea. There were always peas in our garden, and I still…
Category: put it up
preserved
Supersmall-Batch Strawberry-Fig Jam
With strawberry season winding down and my fig tree still 6-8 weeks away from ripe, Marisa’s post yesterday seemed like a big tease. But on a dash through Whole Foods last night for bread and milk, I spied the huge (and ripe!) Black Mission figs you see above, so I decided to grab a handful,…
“Junebug” ice cream
The thought of making ice cream has always evoked for me the smells and sounds of my grandparents’ cellar in Marseilles, Illinois. Even when I use my Cuisinart doohickey with the canister you keep in the freezer so it’s ready when you’re ready, my brain conjures up sharp, minerally rock salt and wet burlap sack,…
Swap-box hero: Pickled scallions & scapes
Seriously, fellow Pennsauken picker-uppers: What have you got against garlic and onions? The swap box just before closing Monday night contained six bunches of red scallions, three bunches of spring onions, and three lovely swirls of garlic scapes. Right. Twelve alliums. Allii. Whatever. A tragedy in any language, even Latin. Bulbus, non reliquit, right? Right. So…
Swap-Box Hero: Strawbarb Preserves
One of the perks of being a site host is that you get to scavenge through the swap box at the end of pick-up day. This week, that meant we staff got to divvy up bundles of underloved endive and rhubarb. Thanks, but no thanks on more greens—I got plenty in my own sharebox. But…
Quickled Radishes, Two Ways
I’m in red radish overload this week: a huge bunch in Monday’s CSA box, plus we finally got a heat spike in Philadelphia – a string of over-80, humid days – that sent my entire patch of Cherry Belles to the verge of bolt. Rads can quickly get woody after they flower, so I yanked…
Keep it Simple, Syrup
This morning, I made a little rhubarb simple syrup; tonight, I’m having a little cocktail moment. Rhubarb simple syrup about 4 cups chopped rhubarb 1-1/2 cups organic sugar 1-1/2 cups water Simmer all three ingredients in a saucepan for about 15 minutes, or until the rhubarb is fully soft. Pour the hot liquid and fruit…
Boxing Day 