My CSA Week: What I Ate in Early July

Part of the excitement, anxiety and fear each week of a CSA is figuring out how to use all the veggies AND waste the least amount of food.

Let’s face it – I pay for the CSA veggies up front and Bennett Compost to take my scraps. I want to make the most of the fresh, local, organic and DELICIOUS produce that’s delivered two blocks from my house on a weekly basis.

I’m in my third season of Red Earth Farm’s Summer CSA share with my BFF. We’ve scared off a few of our friends on veggie season explosions, but enjoy the process. And I think we enjoy humblebrag-complaining about how many veggies we have, too!

So how did the week break down?

My CSA Produce Week – July 1st

Last week, I received the following in my CSA:

• Green lettuce
• Red lettuce
• Swiss chard
• Summer squash
• Dinosaur kale
• Cucumbers
• Egg share
• AND I bought Feta. (Crazy, I know.)

So how did I cope with all of these luscious veggies?

July’s CSA Concoctions

Dinner – Sauteed (in olive oil with a few red pepper flakes & herbs) swiss chard & summer squash with a side of Whole Foods bulk Wild Rice, recipe inspired by Eatin’ On the Cheap. After sprinkling feta on top, I was happy with my leftovers for a few more days!

Work lunch: Greek/Mediterranean Salad, using the lettuce, cucumbers & feta and adding slivered almonds, artichokes & Kalamata olives I had on hand. Deelish. Rinse & repeat for work lunches, 3-5 times.

Dinner, with friend: After skipping most of my veggies AND buying additional ones for grilling (that we didn’t use) in lieu of 4th of July/BBQ festivities, I was drowning in Veggie City. Occupants: Pounce & me. Making the most of that lemonade, I invited a friend over and whipped up a banging Veggie Paella.

Instead of the frozen green peas and canned tomatoes, I used fresh tomatoes and added a few bell peppers. The saffron threads weren’t essential in my case.

My only regrets is inviting her over circa 7:30 after biking, not serving until around 9 PM. However, I did send some leftovers home with her to share the veggie goodness. And continued to devour for days.

Breakfast: Eggs & Avocados in tortillas, Eggs & veggies with bread. I mix this up based on my mood.

Leftover Smoothie: Dinosaur kale in the Chocolate Kale Smoothie, of course!

Readers, what did you receive & make from your CSA this week?