The bags are becoming more colorful each week! This week our bean crop started producing some really tasty and beautiful beans. We also included a large cutting of basil, which is loving the summer’s heat and makes incredibly fresh pesto. This season’s bountiful rainfall has produced bountiful weeds which we devoted much of the week to getting under control. We’re making space for our fall crops, which will go in the ground shortly so they are ready in time for the fall CSA shares. Enjoy this week’s veggies and thank you for supporting our farm!
Swiss Chard Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta
Cook 1 lb of pasta, such as linguini, penne, or orecchiette, according to package instructions.
Cut 1 bunch of Swiss chard into 1 inch ribbons. Dice eggplant into 1/2 inch cubes. Mince 2 cloves of garlic, and roughly chop 1/2 lb of white or baby bell mushrooms.
In a large deep skillet heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, eggplant, mushrooms, and 1 tsp salt to the pan and saute, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes. Add Swiss chard, stems first, then greens, and saute another 3-5 minutes until the greens are wilted.
Add cooked pasta along with 1/2 cup of pasta water to the skillet, and season with ground black pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup of roughly chopped mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Gorgonzola or feta cheese, and serve immediately
Basil Pesto over French Bread
In a blender combine 3/4 bunch of basil, about 2 cups, with 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/4 to1/2 cup basil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup walnuts, and 1/2 tsp salt. Blend until smooth, pushing pesto down as needed. Cut 4-5 3/4 inch slices of French bread. Serve pesto over bread, toasted with a brush of olive oil.
Fresh Bruschetta over Toasted French Bread
Fine dice 2 beefsteak tomatoes. Finely chop 2 tbsp basil. Combine tomatoes and basil with 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tsp Balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp salt, and a dash of ground black pepper. Cut 4-5 3/4 inch slices of French bread. Serve bruschetta over bread, toasted with a brush of olive oil.
Broccoli and Bean Slaw
Toss beans and broccoli in 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp salt, and cook over medium heat in a skillet for 5 minutes, just until tender. Allow to cool, then combine broccoli and beans with 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds, (optional) 2 slices chopped bacon, and 1/2 diced red onion.
Creamy Beet and Celery Soup
Dice 1 sweet onion and 1/2 bunch of celery, stems and leaves. Skin and dice 1 bunch of beets.
In a large deep saucepan add 2 tbsp of cooking oil over medium high heat. Saute 1 diced sweet onion, about 1 cup, 1/2 bunch of celery greens, about 1 cup packed, and 2 tsp salt for 5-7 minutes. Add diced beets and saute another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 2 quarts of chicken or vegetable stock, bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. To create creamier texture, blend half of soup with an emersion blender, or in a blender covered with a towel (careful blending hot liquids). Return blended portion to chunky soup and add 1/2 cup cream (optional). Add 1 tbsp red-wine vinegar and sour cream and dill to serve.
Ingredients
The first table shows the ingredients that come in the share. The table after that shows the ingredients you would need to make the recipes.
| Swiss Chard, Eggplant, and Mushroom Pasta | Basil Pesto over Toasted French Bread | Fresh Bruschetta over Toasted French Bread | Broccoli and Bean Slaw | Creamy Beet and Celery Soup | |
| pasta, 1 lb, either linguini, penne, or orecchiette | 1 lb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cooking oil, such as olive oil, lard, vegetable oil | 3 tbsp | ||||
| Mozzarella cheese | 1/2 cup | ||||
| Gorgonzola or feta cheese | 1/2 cup | ||||
| mushrooms, white or baby bell | 1/2 lb | ||||
| garlic | 2 cloves | 1 clove | 2 cloves | ||
| Parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup | ||||
| olive oil | 1/4-1/2 cup | 1 tbsp | |||
| walnuts | 1/4 cup | ||||
| French or Italian bread | 4-5 slices cut on the bias | 4-5 slices cut on the bias | |||
| Balsamic vinegar | 2 tsp | ||||
| Dijon mustard | 2 tsp | ||||
| apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp | ||||
| red onion | 1/2 onion chopped | ||||
| sunflower seeds or sliced almonds | 1/4 cup | ||||
| bacon (optional) | 2 slices | ||||
| chicken or vegetable stock | 2 quarts | ||||
| heavy cream, optional | 1/2 cup heavy cream | ||||
| red wine vinegar | 1 tbsp |