CSA – The Poquette Zoo and Kitchen

Salads in Jars

Yumminess before the jars. A couple of years ago, I made my first set of salads in glass jars for lunches; they were convenient and delicious, but I fell into my old habits and reverted back to leftovers and soups. This past week, our CSA box contained a bag of spinach and another bag of salad greensContinue reading “Salads in Jars”

CSA: A Bi-Weekly or Weekly Venture?

Everything consumed in time for Box 2! For years, we’ve picked up a weekly CSA box on Saturday mornings from the first weekend in May to roughly the end of January. As our farmer predicted, by year three, we had a system to either eat everything or freeze or can that which we did notContinue reading “CSA: A Bi-Weekly or Weekly Venture?”

Eating Seasonally: Practice Makes Perfect

Recently a friend asked, “How do you use all of your CSA box and garden?” This wasn’t the first time a friend or family member has wondered that. After seven years of membership, we have worked out a system. We 100% build our weekly menu around the box, and one big way that we useContinue reading “Eating Seasonally: Practice Makes Perfect”

Striped Cavern Tomatoes: The Perfect Stuffers

Ever heard of a striped cavern tomato? If you haven’t had one, I advise you to add a pack of seeds to your idealized 2012 garden now! These , in fact,are the perfect stuffing tomato. Plus, they will keep in your fridge for up to 4 weeks after picking. The texture and shape of aContinue reading “Striped Cavern Tomatoes: The Perfect Stuffers”

CSA Recipe: Fresh Turnip Salad with Curry Vinaigrette

I love being part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. It is amazing to be part of a like-minded community, to invest your money in healthy food grown by hard-working, honest people (who we’ve met!), and to completely plan for and eat with the seasons. I even like the uncertainty of what kind ofContinue reading “CSA Recipe: Fresh Turnip Salad with Curry Vinaigrette”

Ramps: Spring is Here!

Yesterday it snowed (?!), but yesterday was also the day of the year’s first Dane Country Farmers’ Market on the Square. Both of us are lucky enough to have gotten part-time jobs with our CSA, Harmony Valley Farm for the farming season. Andy was scheduled for yesterday. I got to stay home in my warm,Continue reading “Ramps: Spring is Here!”

Very Late Christmas Additions: Chutney and Coleslaw

Even though I’m a bit late (like a month!), I still want to share our Christmas menu. We experimented with two traditional sides, and the results were delicious. I have to record the recipes so that I remember to make them again!The first: Fruity Coleslaw 6 cups green or savoy cabbage, thinly sliced2 cups redContinue reading “Very Late Christmas Additions: Chutney and Coleslaw”

Spicy Pickled Carrots

When we first moved to Madison, we frequented Casa de Lara where we experienced spicy pickled carrots served in our chip bowl. Such delicious memories of those that my mouth actually started watering typing that last sentence. Our first year as Harmony Valley members we acquired enough carrots to can a few batches of ourContinue reading “Spicy Pickled Carrots”

A Cheesy Week: Cheese and Broccoli Soup

We’re really into cheese this week, I guess. Our last post was about homemade Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and now the very next day, I’m writing about Cheese and Broccoli Soup. Not good for the waistline, I suppose, but super comforting as Daylight Savings Time has ended and the cold temperatures are lurking. Our Harmony ValleyContinue reading “A Cheesy Week: Cheese and Broccoli Soup”

Happy Fall!

At Harmony Valley’s Harvest Party, members are allowed to pick pumpkins to take home. This year, there were enough for two per family (or more in some cases), so Andy and I each grabbed one. His larger one is going to be carved into a jack-o-lantern. We’ll toast the seeds for ourselves. My smaller pumpkin becameContinue reading “Happy Fall!”