What does it mean to eat seasonally? If you think about it, you’re simply eating foods that are in season. Seasonal food is considered produce that is purchased and consumed shortly after it is harvested. Season fruits and veggies are going to be fresher, tastier and more nutrient rich than produce that is out of season. We’ve all been there picking out tomatoes at the grocery store in the middle of winter and you may have noticed they just don’t taste the same as they do in July.
If you have been a member with our CSA before, you will remember how the first few weeks have a lot of leafy greens. Saturated in an alphabet of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, leafy greens also lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes by 14% according to a recent study. Some of you may have trouble getting through them all so here are some tips to help. Firstly when you get your greens, process them by soaking in cold water in your sink. We wash all your produce, however having a sandy farm you should give it another dunk. Spin dry and store in vegetable bags in your crisper. Once a week make up a jar of vinaigrette and you will be able to have a salad made in a few minutes. If you are getting sick of salads, blend them into a smoothie, gently wilt them and add to beans, lentils, grains or roasted veggies. Make a bed for your eggs, fill out a sandwich or use as a bun for burgers, sausage or wraps. Here at Rumar we make a hot supper salad with grilled beef, feta cheese and sautéed mushrooms and onions on a bed of dressed lettuce. Serve with a baguette and you have a light summer meal.
Here is what you can expect this week:
Rumar Farm Lettuce Mix Freshly harvested a mix of red and green lettuces.
Butter Lettuce Sometimes called Boston or Bibb lettuce, has loose round-shaped heads of tender, sweet leaves and a mild flavour. To store, wash and dry the loose leaves and wrap them in paper towels then seal in a plastic bag and refrigerate. Because of their delicate taste, they pair well with strong spicy foods. Use them as wraps such as Korean Grilled Beef Lettuce wraps or Mexican Chipotle Shrimp Lettuce Wraps.
Garden Peas Also called sweet peas or English peas. The pod is not edible so you will need to shell them first. They don’t have to be a side dish, you can add them to everything you are cooking this spring. Fresh pasta with peas, pea chowder, green pea dip, stir fry on rice, salad with peas……you get the picture.
Bunch Radish The classic spring vegetable that can be eaten many ways. These peppery, crunchy bulbs can be eaten as a snack with dip, tossed into your salad or even roasted. Did you know you can also eat the greens? They don’t stay fresh for long so use them right away by adding to your salad or sandwich. They are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C and calcium.
Farm fresh Eggs We have been saving up to give you a real treat this week. If you haven’t ever tasted farm fresh eggs before, there is no comparison to the grocery store factory eggs. They are simply the best eggs you will ever eat!
Wild Flower Honey Sample of our unpasteurized honey from organic wild flowers, clover and fruit blossoms. Our bees are looked after by Anthony at Happy Bees Apiary. You can find 500g jars in our online store.
Potted Basil Plant Mix of green and purple basil plants for your kitchen herb collection. Find a sunny spot in your home (or kitchen garden) for quick access to this common herb. Basil likes to stay moist, so water frequently. Pinch leaves from the tips of your basil to encourage a full and bushy plant.
Enjoy
