Manic Organic

I joined a CSA last week, and tonight was the pick-up for my first box of organic produce.
Err, reuseable bag, really.  There was a friendly farmer hippie at Fairfax High that loaded up the produce and answered such questions as: 'what are those...?"  and "you can eat that part of the onion?  HOWWWW?"

For those not initiated into the world of farm shares: CSA stands for community supported agriculture.  Basically- you cut out the 'middle-man' of a market give your money directly to a farmer, and they give you affordable organic produce once a week.  There are subscription based programs that cost a weekly fee, and there are true farm shares, where one purchases an actual share of a farmer's crop.  Purchasing a share often costs a lot up front- but guarantees you a close relationship with your farm and farmer.

I don't need another close relationship with anyone, nor do I have $$$$, so I'm getting weekly boxes from Tutti-Fruiti farms in Carpinteria.

Haul 1 consisted of:
1. 1 Bunch Rainbow Chard
2. 4 Cucumbers
3. 6 Crookneck Squash
4. 1 Bunch Carrots w/ Greens
5. 1 Bunch Dill
6. 8 Oranges
7. 1 Cantaloupe
8. 2 Tomatoes
9. 1 Avocado
10. 1 Bunch Broccoli
11. 1 Bunch Red Onions w/Greens

The chard looked like it needed to get into our bellies first (wilting-wise) so I made the following:

• 2 tablespoons margarine (or butter if you roll that way)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 very small red onion, cut up
• 1 onion greens from the red onion
• 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems and center ribs cut out and chopped together, leaves coarsely chopped separately
• Tofu chopped up
• 10 cherry tomatoes chopped up
• 1/2 cup already opened in the fridge white wine
• 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• Some shakes of the Kraft parmesan cheese (klassy!)
• salt, pepper, sriracha to taste

Melt margarine and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic and onion, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant- or longer, i don't care.  I know you do what you want anyway. Add the chard stems, onion greens and the white wine. Simmer until the stems begin to soften.  This took a while and Gonzo started crying. Annoying! Stir in the chard leaves, and cook until slightly wilted.  Add tomatoes and tofu.  Cook until it looks really fucking good. Finally, stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese; season to taste with salt, pepper, balsamic if you're feeling fancy.  I know you are.  In fact- you're feeling so fancy, that you want fresh parmesan cheese.  Go ahead.  Use it instead.  But don't judge me for only being able to metabolize the green can.

Yum Factor: <3 <3 <3 <3 (four hippie hearts out of five)

Here is the process:

Raw Materials

Saute #1

Greens

All Ingredients

Taaaah Daaaaah!!! Extreme Heath.

This pilfered Harry Potter candy will counteract all healthy benefits of my dinner

Even though I'm super psyched on getting weekly organic produce, I'm still not 100% sold that the CSA program is right for us.  We have a tendency to get lazy with home cooking.  I will be testing it out over the next few weeks to make sure the amount of food makes sense.

NOW I HAVE TO WATCH INBETWEENERS.