For the love of Produce...

AnnPT77

First local asparagus of the season, from the farmers market. So good! (Also got baby kale, spinach, soft pretzels, a coconut macaroon, Hakurei turnips (with greens), radishes (ditto).) The asparagus is broiled (I don't have a grill), and I ate all of it, with a bit of aged balsamic, a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt, a little fresh-ground black pepper . . . and a side of Chianti Classico.



Not produce, but this was happening at the farmers market, too.

I got this one:

acpgee

Hubby has declared a salad of celery, apple, toasted nuts, capers halved grapes and vinaigrette one of his favourites. Original recipe called for fennel but couldn’t find that at the supermarket.

AnnPT77

I'm enjoying the increasing range of options at the farmers market as the weather warms up. This was not exotic, but was fresh and tasty: A spinach salad with tomatoes, sweet onions, hakurei turnips, and pumpkin seeds, with a dill-mustard-vinegar dressing. The spinach and turnips were local.

Athijade

Made some fried rice last night that included Enoki mushrooms, Beech mushrooms, and kimchi. It was really good. I did add steak to it, but I bet with a meatier mushroom like a King Oyster it could be a great vegetarian meal. Even vegan if you sub the oyster sauce and honey with vegan versions (the kimchi is a vegan version already).

acpgee

My mom’s carer made a fab veggie side tonight of finely sliced white cabbage stir fried with a good dose of vinegar and a tiny pinch of sugar.

mtaratoot

My friend gave me some cauliflower from her HSA, and it was really amazing. It wasn't snow white but a very mild shade of jade, and oh so delicious, both raw and roasted.

acpgee

We were at a North Eastern style Chinese restaurant last night and a dish of deep fried cauliflower was really good. No batter, just salt, so very little oil was absorbed.

SafariGalNYC

Found another batch of super ripe lovely strawberries! I bought 2 lbs. these lil guys were huge.

acpgee

We were in Canada last week and bought some huge ripe sweet strawberries. They were labelled as having been grown in California, but no cultivar name was provided. That's different from the UK where the cultivar is always named on the label.

AnnPT77

acpgee wrote: »

We were in Canada last week and bought some huge ripe sweet strawberries. They were labelled as having been grown in California, but no cultivar name was provided. That's different from the UK where the cultivar is always named on the label.

Cultivars aren't usually on the label in my part of the US, either. Some produce is brand-named, but that may not be exactly synonymous with a cultivar in the strict sense in all cases, I'd guess. Occasionally I'll see a label/sign with something I know to be a cultivar on it. It's common with apples, as one counter-example. Most things not, though.

My best guess is that this would be the pattern in the rest of the US, as well - it has been in the few places I've grocery-shopped in other than my home state.

AnnPT77

Spring at the farmers market, but it was really hot (around 90 F / 32 C). I got a cucumber lime mojito ice pop because of the heat . . . and these ultra-ripe sweet beauties because it's Spring in growing season terms, despite the ultra-summer temperature. (Week before last, we had frost overnight!)

acpgee

Do potatoes count as produce? I discovered the quickest way to make great mash. You do need a potato ricer (which I bought for making gnocchi).

Prick whole baking potatoes in a couple of places with fork to prevent explosions in the microwave. Zap approximately 8 minutes until soft all over. Cut the hot potatoes in half and put cut side down in the potato ricer and press. Discard the flattened skin of each half potato. Stir in milk, butter and salt until you get the texture/taste you want. You can warm up the mash for a minute in the microwave, if necessary, before serving.

Variation: Greek mash with lemon, olive oil and salt.

acpgee

Artichoke season June to November.

neanderthin

Strawberries in my area have finally arrived, and because of the wet weather, they're probably the worst in recent memory. Oh well, it happens. Cheers

Evamutt

we love squash & I especially love zucchini. Our neighbor gave us 2 huge white zucchini. I've never heard of it. Haven't tried it yet. Anyone had any before?

acpgee

So I promised some colleagues who have never eaten artichokes to make them in August at a dinner party. The logistical puzzle is how to cook six artichokes? I normally can simmer two or three in a pasta pan. Will be experimenting with the microwave and sous vide wand which I can clip onto a big bucket between now and August.

If anyone has a technique for doing artichokes for a large number of people let me know. Also ideas for what else to serve after a starter of steamed whole artichokes with hollandaise or alioli for dipping.

acpgee

@Evamutt
I remember seeing this episode of the Stanley Tucci travel show and wanted to try this. I think I will experiment with tossing zucchini slices in oil and air frying rather the mess/hassle and calories of deep frying.
https://pastaevangelists.com/blogs/blog/spaghetti-alla-nerano

mtaratoot

acpgee wrote: »

So I promised some colleagues who have never eaten artichokes to make them in August at a dinner party. The logistical puzzle is how to cook six artichokes? I normally can simmer two or three in a pasta pan. Will be experimenting with the microwave and sous vide wand which I can clip onto a big bucket between now and August.

If anyone has a technique for doing artichokes for a large number of people let me know. Also ideas for what else to serve after a starter of steamed whole artichokes with hollandaise or alioli for dipping.

I usually steam my artichokes. Do you have a canning pot or other large stockpot? Put your steamer in the bottom. Put the artichokes in upside down so the steam rises into them. Make sure to keep enough water in the bottom so the pot doesn't run dry. You should be able to steam a lot of 'chokes in a big pot. I can do four in the Dutch oven I use to make soup. I bet I could do more than a dozen in a canning pot.

acpgee

Microwaved artichokes were good, but there is no way I could do six simultaneously for a dinner party.

mtaratoot

acpgee wrote: »

Microwaved artichokes were good, but there is no way I could do six simultaneously for a dinner party.

Steam is your friend. Get your steamer going.