Farm Stand Finds
At our pay-what-you-can Farm Stand customers can expect a variety of veggies, herbs, and fruits every week. Produce like kale, celery, lettuce, and carrots are undeniably the most popular, but what about the more uncommon vegetables? Cooking with produce you’ve never seen, heard of, or tasted before can be intimidating. We are here to make it easy for you.
Here are a few of this month’s most underrated items:
Dandelion Greens:
Did you know the entire dandelion plant is edible? Many people see these greens as just a weed, but they’re actually an herb high in Vitamins A, C, K, and B2. They even contain more protein and iron than spinach!
How to prepare:
-Sautéing or braising is a delicious way to eat dandelion greens. Prepare them like you would spinach, with some olive oil and garlic.
-Eat them raw! This is probably the simplest way to eat dandelion greens. They are quite bitter when eaten raw, so mix them in with other greens and make a salad.
-Toss them into a soup or stew to add key nutrients, color, and flavor to your meal.
Candy Cane Beets:
Beets come in a variety of different colors. Candy cane beets are striped on the inside and are a bit milder in flavor than regular red beets.
How to prepare:
-Pickle them. All you need is beets, apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and sugar!
-Roast them in the oven! Chop them up and toss them with some olive oil, salt, and fresh herbs. Throw them in the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Candy cane beets often lose their color when prepared this way, but roasting brings out the most flavor.
-Eat them raw in a simple beet salad. Thinly slice them to add nice color and crunch.
Summer Squash:
There are two main types of squash: summer and winter. One of their biggest differences is their skin! Summer squash, like zucchini, has a very thin skin and is usually prepared skin on. Winter squash has a tough exterior, which people usually discard.
How to prepare:
-Roast or sauté them. Most summer squash slices easily and can be tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Summer squash prepared this way is delicious added to any pasta dish!
-Grill it! Having a summer barbecue? Cut the squash in half, drizzle it with olive oil, and place it face down on the grill.
-Fill them up! Like stuffed bell peppers, some summer squash can be stuffed with your favorite ingredients and roasted. Scoop out all the inside flesh, fill it up, and roast it to your liking! Cooking tip: Save the “flesh” of the squash and mix it into the filling. Zero-waste and delicious!
Why not try something new this week? Visit our pay-what-you-can Farm Stand every Thursday and Sunday.