It’s no secret I’ve got a teeny tiny competitive streak.
Also ‘teeny tiny’ is code for sizeable, meaning I’ll tackle and take a brother down in order to win, especially if I get to employ my sneaky ninja techniques. Those are my favorites. I’d tell you about them, but then I’d have to kill you, and that could make things awkward between us. You understand.
The point is my scrappy nature is one of the many reasons I enjoy my CSA so much. It challenges me and forces me to think outside the box. It also allows me to have weekly face offs with my farm share veggies, which I of course dominate, because I’m stubborn and slightly neurotic.
Case in point, I have full blown conversations with my produce. They go something like this.
After receiving a sideways glance from the zucchini (you know the kind of look I’m talking about):
“What? Did you say something? Who do you think you’re talking to? Oh hell no. You’re going dooooown. I’ll shred you ass” she says while cracking knuckles aggressively.
To the boatload of beets in my fridge:
“I’m not looking. Nope, no way, you can’t make me. If I don’t see you slowly withering away in the crisper drawer, you don’t exist and therefore I win.”
To the bounty of bell peppers:
“First I’m gonna cut ya. Then I’m gonna stuff ya. After that I’m gonna bake ya, and eventually I’m gonna eat ya. How ya like dem apples?”
Clearly, my CSA is not be the best thing for my mental health.
That being said, I’ve gotten pretty adept at managing all my produce, which means today I’m sharing my knowledge, alongside a dash of crazy, with all of you. You’re welcome.
Tips to Manage CSA and Farm Share Produce
- Make a plan for the items you get in your share. Clear intentions lead to action, although strict adherence is not mandatory. If an alternate plan arises, be wild, throw caution and your cucumbers to the wind.
- Tackle the most perishable items first. The first week in, our Bok Choy was hearty and firm, while the Swiss Chard was limping along, so she got eaten. Only the strong survive.
- Prep your lettuce. Get those greens ready by washing, drying and storing them. If they’re in your fridge raring to go, the odds of you eating a salad are 93% higher. Confession: I made that percentage up; my advice is still sound though.
- Speaking of, be prepared to eat lots of salads. Salads are like froyo; they’re only as good as the toppings so liven them up a little. I often include bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, hardboiled eggs, nuts, onions, radishes, tomatoes, and of course my beloved cheese.
- Feed a crowd. Go to a cook out, bring a dish, and use those veggies, especially the ones in abundance. I’m certain I get invited to parties because they really want the pleasure of my farm share produce. Well that and my killer dance moves; obviously.
- Water is good. As important as it is for us to stay hydrated, the same can be said for your veggies. Soaking carrots and greens in a giant vat of cool water will bring them back to life, making you a Veggie God. You have the power to resurrect spinach from the dead. Talk about badass.
- The Internet is your friend. Clearly, since you found me. Search for new recipes. Try new things. I found fantastic vegan muffins made out of radishes and raisins. Go figure.
- Get the most bang for your buck. If you have a dozen peppers floating around, adding them to a salad might not cut it. Instead, try stuffing them. Bake them all at once and enjoy them all week long. Apply this tip to all your produce.
- This one’s my favorite. Take stock and let the ingredients speak to you. Your produce is a chatty mofo if you’re willing to listen. Case in point:
I see Chili.
I see Ratatouille.
I see Beet Juice.
I see a cheesy breakfast omelet with ramps and English Muffin Bread.
- When all else fails, roast it or toast it (on a Panini).
- Or toss in on a pizza or add it to a pot of soup. Anything smothered in cheese is bound to be a hit. This little number is carrots, green beans and Bok Choy.
- Remember, the freezer is your friend. I made a mountain of Spinach Ramp Pesto which is now safely and happily tucked away in my freezer, next to a bag of Hungarian peppers from last Fall. Mental note: I need to eat those soon.
- Last but certainly not least, do not panic. Alright fine, you can panic for a minute but then step back, take a deep breath, grab a glass of wine, toss on some tunes and tackle your produce. Bonus points for ninja moves.
Do your veggies speak to you? What are you go to tips and techniques for managing your farm share or CSA produce?
I get so excited when I see your CSA hauls… Seriously I would love the task of getting a bucket load of veg and coming up with meals for the week and beyond. Normally being unplanned and having something unknown thrust upon me would freak me out but with this, well, working though a CSA is an art! 🙂
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…Thinking Out Loud!
Aw thanks Jen. I feel the same way. I am so structure and plan everything else in my life, yet the mystery of the CSA is such a treat for me, and I love it. You’ll have to look into programs when you move.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Awesome post! I’ve never signed up for a CSA because I think it will be too overwhelming, but this post makes it seem more manageable. Although, I still don’t know if I could sign up for one because JZ wouldn’t eat like half of the vegetables (silly boy doesn’t like tomatoes and peppers – who is he?).
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Fig and Date Compote with Greek Yogurt
Two things:
1) You can usually choose the size of your share so I get a medium knowing full well it’s probably too much but I freeze a lot so it works.
2) The Hubby dislikes or used to dislike a lot of the stuff we’ve gotten. Thankfully, he’s willing to try things and lo and behold, he’s come to enjoy some of the things he once despised. The same goes for me too. You try and try until you find a way to eat it and like it. With all your kitchen skills and creativity, I know you’d be able to come up with something. I highly recommend you try a CSA.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
All these greens are making me hungry again! Love all the ideas, especially the roast and toast, you simply cannot go wrong there and sometimes some good fat and sea salt make the best veggies.
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Bacon Deviled Eggs
Sea salt is a must and I always use a little olive oil. It’s my favorite fat source unless we’re talking about on bread and then I need some butter.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Such great tips – there are so many new CSAs in the city but I’m so afraid I’ll end up wasting things I don’t know how to use in time, and I hate wasting food.
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Five Things Friday: Frozen Treats
I’d say go for it. You can usually choose from different size CSA’s so you’d be able to start small. Also, if you hate to waste food (I’m the same way), you will find a way to use it or freeze it before it goes bad. Give it a whirl.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
by george you are a veggie diva!!! i love it. if you open an airb&b, i will book a room happily. and sign up for your classes. the ones you will teach me of course! i love all these ideas… so much inspiration and delicious on my screen, yes.
my veggies speak to me a lot lately. the brussel sprouts were loud yesterday. first they said steam me with lemon! then top me with that fresh salsa from the neighbor. then they said cover me in toasted pumpkin seeds and coconut and honey and tamari. then they said cover me in cream and sriracha. then they said chop me up and eat me with carrots and smoked salmon and tons of olive oil. ok i’m letting the crazy out, but when you ask a question like what did your veggies say, i’m going to freakin answer. i won’t even get started on what the sweet potato said. she was a minxy little bitch… i creamed her.
danielle recently posted…you eat sriracha with wha????
I love when you listen to the veggies. It sounds like those sprouts came out amazing, and you were only right to teach the sweet potato a lesson.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Man, you make your food look sexy. Eggs and cheese on salad is bomb. Hey, this just popped into my head, but have you ever read any of Barbara Kingsolver’s books? I think you’d like “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.” Random, I know. But that book has been on my mind lately and then this post made me think you’d like it.
Suzy recently posted…Blended Family Friday: Typical
Duly noted. I haven’t read this book yet, but I did write it down so I can add it to my list. Thanks for the suggestion and the sexy food comment. I feel like I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Awesome tips! I usually just end up making a billion smoothies with all of my wilting greens, so these are super helpful
Emma @ em-poweredwellness recently posted…5 Things Friday #5
Some other ideas for the wilted greens is to add them to soups, which you can then freeze or you can blend the greens down with a little liquid, pour them into an ice cream tray and again freeze but for future smoothies.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Great tips! We always roast a ton of veggies, put them in salads, sauté them, and put them in smoothies. I am swimming in zucchini right now, but unfortunately it is stubbornly giving me the silent treatment.
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…Friday Favorites: 6/19/15
So I actually love having an abundance of zucchini. I usually shred it in the food processor, toss it in a freezer safe bag, label it and chuck it in the freezer for wintertime. No need to drain the excess liquid either since it will naturally happen when you thaw it later.
Then I use it in muffins, breads and most especially these pancakes. http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2011/07/24/zucchini-bread-pancakes/
They’re my favorite and I make them all the time in the winter. In fact, I was super sad when I finally ran out of zucchini this past Spring.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
You make me want to eat veggies. Nothing further, just that statement. Good tips tho! =)
Chris recently posted…Murph 2015
Mission accomplished!
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Okay now I am craving all the veggies so much! Especially a veggie heavy pizza sounds too delicious right now.
I always wondered what to do with bok choy. So I never bought it before though it looks really cute and I am a sucker for cute looking food 😛 But I see on the pizza it will go next week!
Juli@1000lovelythings recently posted…Vegan Peach Crumble
Bok Choy is great on a pizza. Also, lots of people saute it and add it to stir fry.
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
Meghan,
Your post is very timely–I just added a Pinterest widget on my sidebar where I share pins to my newest board, How To Make The Most of Your CSA or something like that .
Pinned to that. Thanks, my friend!
Kirsten recently posted…Black Raspberry Goat Cheese & Pistachio Salad
Thanks Sunshine!
Meghan recently posted…Tips to Manage Your CSA and Farm Share Produce
I feel like when I get my CSA box my kitchen turns into an episode of Chopped or Iron Chef!
That’s a great way to put it. I love that feeling. We are Kitchen Ninjas.
i love how you talk “dirty” to the produce. Jk .. but that poor zucchini. LOL! Seriously though, brilliant move with all your veggies. I’m always inspired by your picks too!
lindsay recently posted…Paleo Salade Niçoise Plus 2 Cooking Oils to Boost Flavor and Nutrients
Of course I talk dirty to my produce. Is there any other way? 😉
Meghan recently posted…Currently: June 2015
I want to see that bok choy burrito bowl! Never used it that way before. Wild! And all the pizzas, salads, and sandwiches look heavenly!!!
Hey sunshine. I used this recipe and added the bok choy stems in along with the onions. After a few minutes, I added the leaves, the bell peppers, etc…. it was real good.
http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/2015/03/20/chipotle-style-burrito-bowl-recipe/
Meghan recently posted…Currently: June 2015
Love I can’t wait to sort through your freezer like a troll 😀
PS- before I forget- We need to bring back Week In Review. Legit. 100% legit.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…The Ultimate Healthy No Bake Snacks