I think it’s time for a happy dance. One that includes jazz hands.
It’s no secret I’m tired of winter (I’m pretty sure I say it every post), but I’m also kind of lost without my weekly CSA share. I’m a woman without a mission, adrift at sea, no plan in sight. Alright that might be a little dramatic (who me?), but I really do miss it.
I loved getting piles of veggies every week, and in such mass quantities it forced me to step it up and kick things into high gear. I loved coming up with battle plans and ways to smash multiple veggies into one meal. Got massive amounts of bell peppers? Slice them and dip them in hummus, sauté them with some onions and add them to tacos, burritos, or better yet huevos rancheros. Don’t like those options, then stuff them with more peppers, rice and beans.
Remember these? Probably not, but I sure do. I’ve got fond memories of these lovely ladies, even if some of them are a little crazy.
I love receiving a base vegetable and then building a plan around it. Sure I could go the grocery store and grab some veggies, but it’s not the same because then I already have a plan or a rough idea of what I’m going to do with said produce. I wouldn’t be buying it if I didn’t, so I miss the creativity and the challenge my CSA brings, and I really like to be challenged. It’s my thing because it tweaks my competitive impulses and forces me to bring my A game. I pity the fool who signs up for a CSA and doesn’t bring their A game.
I’ve been blabbering on for so long now, you probably forgot I started this post with a happy dance and one that included jazz hands.
Very soon, I will be back to this….Happy Meg = Jazz Hands and Sunlight beaming down on me.
The reason for my solo dance party is they started a winter farmers market in downtown Cleveland on Friday afternoons, and I decided to check, check, check it out. See what, what, what it’s all about.
It’d be a safe bet to say I came. I saw. I conquered.
And by conquered I mean I bought the only vegetable they had: some teeny tiny and practically done for brussel sprouts. The Hubby doesn’t even like sprouts, but beggars can’t be chooser’s, so I bought every last drop they had, which was one big bag for $3.00. Sold to the highest bidder or really just me.
I also happened to pick up some cheese from grass-fed cows, who I like to think are named Petunia and Princess. I’m sure this is normal. I grabbed Veggie Jack and Onion and Chive because both appeal to my cheesy nature.
The very last thing I managed to nab was a jam packed bag, full of hot peppers (dance ladies dance). Man, these are going to be fun.
Now I know it’s been awhile, but in my past CSA posts, I not only show you my goods but you also get to see how I used them because you see, I get around. (♫ Round and round. Round it go. I get around. ♫). Channeling 2Pac seems appropriate for farmers market finds. To me anyway.
Let’s get to the goods.
I picked up my mini-haul (an oxymoron at its best) on Friday and spent Saturday catching up on my blog reading, when lo and behold, I came across Spabettie’s recipe for Ginger Lime Brussel Sprouts. It was a sign, and a pretty compelling one at that. Far be it from me to dismiss the subtle suggestions of the cosmos, so I made her sprouts, and they were delicious. The ginger lime flavor combo was spot on, and you can bet I’ll be trying it with other roasted veggies too. It was without a doubt, a winner, which means I get the point. Obviously. I used to get all competitive and award points with my CSA veggies, so why should my farmers market finds be any different?
The hot peppers were a no-brainer for me. I took a small handful (a little goes a long way) and added them to a crock pot full of Vegetarian Three Bean Chili.
They packed a pretty impressive punch, as in my mouth was on fire, in a good way, if such a thing can be good. Another point goes to little old me. Of course.
Now I know you’re going to find this next bit shocking.
I haven’t done anything with the cheese yet. Not a thing. It’s still sitting in my fridge in its original packaging. You all know I have a healthy respect for cheese and an occasional love affair with Asiago, Cheddar, and Gouda, Oh My, so the fact I haven’t touched either one is most definitely odd. Have no fear though (I’m sure you were worried), I will come up with some kind of battle plan for those lovely blocks of creamy goodness. I will savor every last bite, and then I will share it with all of you. Aren’t you lucky?
Now it’s time for a little recognition from our sponsors. Today’s post was brought to you by Heather at In Her Chucks, Kristy at Gastronomical Sovereignty and Mr. T, who pities the fool who doesn’t eat their cheese.
What would you do with Veggie Jack or Onion and Chive cheese? Have you been to any winter farmers markets this year? If so, what did you grab.
I 100% agree with this post – I miss my CSA so much! I refused to let my CSA veggies go to waste, so I was forced to become creative about using them. It’s a struggle for me to eat as many vegetables now because it just isn’t as exciting. Fortunately, there is a winter farmer’s market at Old Trail School in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that’s really close to me. I’ll be there tomorrow morning, so wish me luck!
Good luck. I’d love to hear what you find. The last time I checked out the downtown farmers market, they didn’t even have any produce, so I was thrilled to nab the brussel sprouts last week.
I just have to say that your picture SERIOUSLY made me laugh because I imagined him saying, “What would YOU do with those cheeses?” in his voice. 🙂 The little things! Happy Friday!
Gotta love a Mr. T reference right?! I pity the fool who doesn’t.
I’m about out of maple syrup from all the waffling happening around here, so I need to hit the Sponsor Name Prominently Placed 2nd St Market here for more, and I’ll poke around and see what they got down here while I am there.
If you’ve still got celery, try and regrow it. Slice off the end and stick it in water. Hard, no?
Great tip! I do still have celery so I’m going to get on that. Have fun at the Market.
mmm, dried peppers. FRESH peppers. and dried peppers…
when we returned from backpacking through Mexico last year, I brought with me a huge bag of dried chile arbol. YUM.
I am SO HAPPY you like the Brussels – we cannot stop eating them and I have never been a fan…
what to do, what to do with the cheese? cut into strips (like thick string cheese), cover with a crunchy coating, freeze for a bit, then bake. Mmm…
The Brussels are fabulous. I can’t wait to use the lime ginger combo on something else, and this was my first time using coconut oil.
Fantastic recommendation on the cheese. I really appreciate it.
OMG ginger lime Brussels!?!?!!? That sounds AMAZING!! I love Brussels sprouts sooososo much and what a steal that bag was!! I cannot WAIT for the farmers markets to come back, it’s the sign of spring and warmer weather!! HOT PEPPERS YUM!
The Brussels were amazing. Seriously go make them. I’m just sad I don’t have any more.
No farmer’s markets around here yet–except the huge one downtown which is really just grocery resale. Sorry, doesn’t count. I’m counting down until I can start putting things in the dirt and getting my own veggies! Those sun rays need to head this way, too. And oh man, I ogled that ginger-lime brussels recipe, I ogled it HARD. And then here you go making it, of course.
We have one of those too and while it’s nice, it’s most definitely not the same. You need to make the brussel sprouts. Spabettie’s recipe was spot on deliciousness.
I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt, so to speak and start my own veggies.
We’re lucky to have farmer’s markets year round in Cali and they pretty much have everything, including berries all the time. There’s one right across the street from our apt so I go every Saturday. Love it! The berries and fresh eggs are my favorites.
Now I am completely jealous. To love across the street from a farmers market would be amazing, although I’d probably end up totally broke. Maybe it’s for the best.
Joshua doesn’t like brussel sprouts either… more for us though right?!! We actually have farmers markets here that are open all yr round 🙂
These were actually small enough the Hubby was willing to try them, but my brother and I actually ended up eating them all. Oops.
I will definitely be trying that brussels sprouts recipe. Those flavors sound almost tropical, and that isn’t what you normally think of when you picture brussels sprouts. 🙂
They were fantastic. I highly, highly recommend the brussel sprouts. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Thanks for stopping by and saying Hi.
mmmmm all the good eats. so many veggies! Oh and I looove your hair in the jazz hands pic
Thanks Jess.
The veggie jack would be amazing in an omelet or mexican egg scramble. I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Great ideas, and I adore eggs so that could work.
Thanks for stopping by.
OMG Jazz Hands!!! Love them!
Because I live in the burbs we don’t have a good winter market. I think your posts are going to convince me to do a CSA this year for sure!
You really should. It can be a lot of veggies but I know you won’t let them go to waste. You’ll be a crockpot and soup making machine.
dying over those brussels sprouts right now. look so delicious!
ps: love the new banner. and mr.t 🙂
pps: thanks for sharing and linking up!
Ohhh, ginger lime brussels? Yum! I haven’t been to a farmer’s market in a while, but the last time I went (which I think was in December), I picked up some kale, a couple of squashes, and an ass-load of local jam that I didn’t really need! I swear, I don’t know what it is with me and spreadables…I just can’t say no!
Is it sad that here we are (finally) on the brink spring, and I’ve yet to make ONE single solitary pot of soup, stew, or chili? Yeah, don’t answer that…#foodbloggerfail
Yes it’s official. You are a spreadables addict, but at least you own that shit. Besides, spreadables kind of rock. Man the places I could take you here. We can’t grow food all year long so we make spreadables. It’d make your head spin and your heart sing.
No soup, no stews, no chili. Oh my, I’m not even sure what to say, other than you need to rectify that. I literally eat one of my own frozen concoctions (after it defrosts of course) on a weekly basis. I couldn’t survive without them. Then again, you are pretty busy with pancakes. 🙂
Well, I guess I remedied TWO things today, huh? Finally made YOUR recipe AND my first soup of the season! 😀
And lord, I HAVE been busy with the pancakes lately…I love it, but I think I might be due in for a little Pancake Queen holiday soon…and since I’m having knee surgery soon, I guess I have an excuse (not that I REALLY need one…but I always seem to put undue pressure on myself to keep to things…one reason I’ve NEVER missed a WIAW post!) 😉
Ahh, spreadables make the world go ’round!!!
I feel the same way, but then I took an entire week off at Christmas and missed a WIAW post. Guess what? The world didn’t end. A big release for me was realizing so much of my pressure was largely self created. Oops. It’s amazing what us perfectionists can do to ourselves.
I’m stoked you finally made soup AND my recipe. Jazz hands all around.