Judi’s Recipe — Week #21

Week 21 already! We’ll soon be battening sown the hatches for winter, and thinking of next year’s CSA!

This week we’re getting quite an array of fall vegetable, including red cabbage. People ask me frequently for cabbage recipes. Cole slaw is great, but sometimes one needs a change. So here is a great red cabbage side dish.

CABBAGE WITH PANCETTA AND CARAWAY

2TBS extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, diced
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 1/2 lbs red cabbage (about one small to medium head), halved, cored, and finely shredded
1 cup chicken broth
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Heat a dutch oven or large, deep covered frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the fat renders and the pancetta just starts to crisp.
3. If your pancetta is on the lean side, add about a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
3. Add chopped onion and caraway seeds and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until onion is translucent.
4. Add half of the shredded cabbage to the pan along with 1/2 cup of the broth, the salt, and a couple grinds of black pepper. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is half wilted. Add the remaining cabbage and broth to pan; stir. Cook for another minute, stirring every 20 seconds or so, until all the cabbage begins to wilt.
5. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes, removing the lid to stir once, until the cabbage is tender but still slightly crunchy.
6. Taste, and add more salt and/or pepper if necessary. Stir in the cream.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened. Top with parmesan cheese, if using.

Enjoy! And have a delicious week!
Best,
Judi

Week #21 — What’s in the Bag

FULL VEGETABLE SHARE
Red Potatoes-2 pounds
Broccoli-1 bunch
Red Ace Beets-2 pounds
Boc Choi-1 head
Butternut Winter Squash-1
Red Cabbage-1 head
Cilantro-1 bunch
Scallions-1 bunch
Lacinato Kale-1 bunch
Green Oak Leaf Lettuce-1 head
Red Oak Leaf Lettuce-1 head

FRUIT SHARE-in one bag
Rome Apples—a tart, dense cooking apple
Empire Apples—an all purpose apple that is slightly tart and juicy.
Bosc Pears—delicious fall pears.
Make beautiful applesauce with the Rome Apples. Leave the skin on while cooking for pink applesauce.

Apples from Klein’s Kill Orchard,
Pears from Fix Brothers Orchard

MUSHROOM SHARE
Shiitake Mushrooms
Bulich Mushroom Farm

Week #21 — Note from the Farmer

Dear CSA Member

A cold very wet week. The rain is needed in the fall to fill the creeks and rivers but it makes picking and packing heavy and chilly.   

Red potatoes, freshly dug and packed for your share. The skin is tender and the color beautiful. Lacinato Kale, a member favorite, Red Ace Beets and Butternut Winter Squash. A fall feast. This variety of Butternut is very dry fleshed and a bit of Maple Syrup will be perfect to moisten the cooked squash and give that unequaled Upstate New York flavor to the dish. There is still Maple Syrup available through the online CSA Marketplace in grades A and B. Grade A is a bit milder, Grade B is generally used for cooking or for those that like a stronger maple flavor.  

The lettuce is still looking good. We have not had a killing frost yet and will continue to pick fall lettuce. It will take extra rinsing again this week.  The rains have been heavy once again.  

The complete updated Bulk Vegetables list of items available through the online CSA Marketplace can be found on the Farm Blog section: Potatoes, Turnips, Beets, Carrots, Collards, Kale all available in bulk size. Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Rome and Empire Apples, Bosc Pears in Bulk Fruit.  Coffee, Chocolate, Maple and Mushrooms are available.  The honey is just about gone. There are 1 pound jars remaining but that number is limited. The beekeeper is leaving more honey for the bees to help them survive the winter. 

Enjoy the harvest.
Deborah for everyone at Stoneledge Farm