Tops Off!
This week it's all about the carrots! Also please bring in your egg cartons, boxes, and aluminum cans for re-use/recycling!
Making the most of your Ridge2Reef CSA Box [from farm apprentice Jenny Knoeller]
The tops of your produce are edible, and boast many nutritional benefits and flavor.
Did you know that carrot top greens have on average, six times the amount of Vitamin C than is actually in the carrot itself? They also contain plenty of Vitamin K, potassium, chlorophyll, magnesium, and calcium. Not to mention, when chopped and stored these hearty leaves have a long refrigerator life and are the answer to bulking up sauces, salads, stir-frys, smoothies, and whatever else you can think of doing with them. And we have plenty to share!
We suggest cutting the stalks of the tops about midway through (where the leaf starts) and chopping the leaves and finer stems for storing. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
As we lovingly dig up and pack these carrots for you each week, we are humbled by their vibrant color and hearty composure. Taking the extra step to peel these babies is so worth it for the color show!
Below we’ve included a recipe for carrot top pesto that we are also selling at our Tienda on Wednesdays and Saturdays, along with lots of fresh produce and homemade farm to table goodness for you to take home.
Carrot Top Pesto Recipe:
You can hand chop this Pesto or use a food processor.
One bunch of carrots worth of tops, chopped finely
2-3 carrots, shredded (This adds some moisture to the sauce using less oil)
3-5 Cloves of garlic, chopped finely
One bunch of basil, chopped
Any fun herbs or greens you love: Parsley, arugula, Amaranth, sky's the limit
2 lemons or limes, juiced
~¾-1 Cup Olive Oil
~½ cup Tahini
3 Tablespoons Tamari or Liquid Aminos
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional:
Seasoning peppers or hot pepper of your choice, chopped
Grated Turmeric and or Ginger
Garlic Powder
Nutritional Yeast
Hemp, sunflower, sesame, or whatever seeds you have on hand
In a bowl or food processor, mix greens, garlic, carrots, and peppers. Add lemon juice, tamari, spices, and olive oil. Mix well and add tahini. Depending on desired consistency, add additional oil or Tahini. Add seeds and store in a jar in the fridge or freezer, or eat immediately!
With all the carrots and over 20 other items available, we hope you enjoy your farm share to it's fullest this week!
Nate & the Farm Crew
