One of my favorite things about summer is eating produce that you can’t find…or at least find a a budget smart price. during the rest of the year. It’s one of the reasons I hate to see summer end but then there’s the fall favorites too. One thing I always look foward to every September is the arrival of the winter squashes. And the CSA box had one of my favorites-
Week 15 line up included-
Heirloom tomatoes, Sungold cherry tomatoes, Yellow Doll watermelon, sweet red bell and hot, Anaheim peppers, green beans, red Swiss chard, onions, Acorn squash, dill, arugula and salad mix.
Heirloom tomatoes-these two hybrid heirlooms were the last of the season so I thought about using them in a salad, but ended up using them for the ratatouille (I found a new way to cook this so it will be an upcoming Meatless Monday feature).
Sungold Cherry Tomatoes-they’ve become a favorite afternoon snack for me and I’m going to miss them when they’re all gone. They’re sweet, low-cost and yes, cheaper and better for you than buying candy.
Red bell and Anaheim peppers-the red peppers were used in another recipe that will be Meatless Monday’s meal. The hot peppers I’m either going to freeze or dehydrate and use in the winter in soups and chilis.
Green beans-I used them as a side dish and I’m not lying when I say these were the best I’ve ever tasted. I steamed them and sprinkled on some salt and pepper and they were perfect.
Red Swiss Chard-I’m tempted to make the enchilidas again but also tempted to try another dish using this new to me veggie.
Onions-what dish isn’t made even better using onions. However, these went into the Meatless Monday dish.
Acorn squash-this is one of my favorites and I think I could eat these every day in the fall. I’ve tried cooking them lots of ways but always return to oven roasting them. I cut them into slices, toss with some oil, salt and pepper and roast them for about 20 minutes in a 375 oven until they’re carmelized. I served this the other night as a side dish and it was perfect. It’s so good it almost makes a meal in itself.
Yellow Doll watermelon-the last of the season and I say that with great sadness because for the last few weeks this has been my snack of choice. Usually a cup of hot chocolate is the thing I turn to when I’ve been out cleaning up the flowerbeds this time of the year, but last week it was this watermelon. It’s proved to me one thing and that’s you can save money by buying and eating produce for snacks and not over priced convenience foods like granola bars and chips.
Dill-I used this in lots of things from soups to egg salad.
Arugula-I haven’t got around to make the pesto yet!
Salad mix-used as filling in sandwiches and really adds a special twist to something as simple as a cheese sandwich.
