We are coming up on our last week in Santa Barbara. And although Harper and I have enjoyed hanging with our friends and soaking in the beautiful summer weather, we are looking forward to going home and having our family back together. But before we head out, I have made sure that we experience our favorite CSA a few more times. The quality and variety of their produce helps to ease the pain of being homesick (I guess it’s no longer a secret what my drug of choice is…). As does a rockin’ produce party :)
Last week we had a total of 12 links which yielded a whole lots of produce…especially tomatoes :) I was most intrigued by Kirsten’s Kale Hummus this week. I have been really into kale pesto this summer but kale hummus…mind blown! I can’t get enough of the beauty that is Salted Plates Peach Caprese Salad. Simply gorgeous. And finally, I’m excited to try Eats Writes Shoots Vegetarian Tacos with Grilled Zucchini. Yum! Thanks to everyone for linking up. I truly can’t get enough of your ingenious ways to eat your veggies.
And now on to how I plan to eat my veggies…
It’s boxes like this that make me miss my old CSA :( I mean, there is so much delicious and summery goodness, it’s hard to know where to start. But since this item is new to me this week, I have to highlight it first…
Have you ever seen something so adorable?! They are mouse watermelon cucumbers and they are my new favorite treat! Kind of a cross between a grape and a cucumber, that looks like a watermelon but is slightly slimy and sour in the middle. But they keep me coming back for more :) I have been popping these suckers in my mouth ever since I opened up my box. They are crunchy and delicious and as soon as we start up another garden, these little gems will be front and center. Love!
And then there are those red flame grapes. Or as I like to refer to them, “nature’s candy”. These grapes are so sweet and crunchy, they have been serving as my post meal treat.
I am also loving the assortment of pluots this week. During the days of pluot abundance, I would have made my famous crumble. But these days, it has been a while since I have had the chance to sink my teeth in to one of these. Now, I am savoring each and every bite :) The Flavor Gold ones are by far my favorite!
I am excited about the melon. I am assuming it is a cantaloupe but haven’t cut it open yet. It is still a bit green so I am going to try to let it ripen up a bit. But I am looking forward to scooping out the seeds and filling it with cottage cheese or plain yogurt. A healthy and hearty mid day snack.
Speaking of snacks, Harper and I have been snacking on those monstrous carrots the last few days. If there are any left I have the perfect dinner dish to make with them and am looking forward to sharing it with you.
I have been craving big, protein filled breakfasts lately and adding fresh spinach and tomatoes to a morning scramble is a great way to kick off the day. Or, they might make into a quiche, in which case, a salad on the side would help to create the perfect lunch or dinner.
Your turn: What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown? Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share? Looking forward to reading your responses :)
Linking up for the first time? Click here for more info…and Welcome!
PS: Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog. Thanks!
In Her Chucks 
Heather,
I really like your photo of those watermelon cucumber things.
I saw that Kristy got some up in Canada, and now you’ve got some over in California, so it’s only what, 5 years before they find their way to Ohio? :) Wonder if I’ll still live here.
I’m glad you’ve been making the most of your time with your old CSA (and I’ve enjoyed all the recipes you’ve been sharing this week!). I’ve got a recipe riff off of one I learned from my old CSA, Blenheim Organic Gardens in Washington’s Birthplace (for realz), VA. Becky uses their eggplant to make a tasty baked eggplant chip. I took that idea, ran with a bit of breading and cheese, and took the leftover baked eggplant chips and threw them on a pizza made using the last of the 2012 pesto in the dough and for the sauce. It has the cheesy crunch I want in a slice of eggplant, and the convenient plate-to-mouth delivery vehicle of a pizza.
I’ve also riffed on my Green and Gold Basil Tomato Tart. I kept the basic structure (someone else’s pie crust with tomatoes and cheese) and threw out the mayonnaise and basil pesto, replacing them with arugula pesto, artichoke hearts, and green olives. Good even cold for breakfast!
Speaking of breakfast (see what I’m doing here? Yes, I’ve had a cup of tea already) I’ve got a Chocolate Zucchini Waffle for you. I made it on a snowy day (photos to prove) using zucchini I’d put up last year to remind us all that you can put up your summer squash to use year round.
As for the veggies you’ve got: I had a tasty grape and blue cheese pasta salad last week, from the deli counter of the grocery store down the road. I need to figure out how to make that one. We picked up a cantaloupe, and a mess of peaches and corn, at a farm stand before we left Delaware. The corn’s been processed (and enjoyed with freshly roasted Hatch chiles in a tamale pie), the peaches are mostly processed/eaten, and the cantaloupe is left. I have in mind a pizza, and will commence work on it tomorrow, or after I get home from work tonight.
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for sharing Kirsten :)
the watermelon cucumbers are adorable!
Thanks Sharlea :) They are cute and delicious!
I’m a big fan of cut up cantaloupe with chopped mint. It’s delicious. This recipe is one that I’ve been meaning to try if I ever come across cucamelons (sadly they are not something that has shown up in the CSA pick up or at the farmer’s market): http://www.gastronomicalsovereignty.com/2013/07/the-best-things-in-life-are-tiny.html
That sounds amazing! Will have to try that with my next batch :)
Thanks for sharing that delicious recipe.
I’ve never had those either but they look like something fun to try. So wish we could get that amount of fruit in our box, I really miss having fruit but adding the fruit share just means 1 item every other week so doesn’t seem worth it. I need to hit a farmers market!
Farmers market sounds like your best bet. Good luck rallying up the last of the summer fruits :)
Heather!! I had these the other day :) I’ve linked up!! So cute!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing :)
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Never had mouse cucumber watermelons before! I hope I can find them in the markets ‘cos now I’m really curious!
I had never seen them before either. But after doing some research I learned they would be a great plant to have in your garden. If anyone can be successful in growing them, I’m sure it would be you :)
I have never seen those before! So, so, cute!
I’m surprised Tammy! I consider you the expert of all things produce :) Glad I could introduce you to something new :)
I’ve never seen those watermelon cucumbers before! How cute!
I’m in love :)
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