csa: learning to eat locally

I've written here before about our decision to participate in the local CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, and we have now gotten three "shares" of food. My biggest concern when joining the CSA is that I wouldn't use the vegetables because I wouldn't know what to do with them. These fears were offset somewhat by the cookbook they sell along with a share. What I wasn't prepared for, though, is the weekly emails.

Not only do we get a headsup about what the shares include for the week, as well as early word about what will be prominent at the farmer's market this Saturday (think asparagus!), that email also includes cooking instructions for the week's bounty. This week, for example, we got radishes, green onions, asian greens, and salad mix, and the email has suggestions for combining the radishes and green onions with cream cheese for a sandwich spread, which reminded me that they serve something similar at the Bread Company down the street which I love. There are also recipes for using green onions and black bean sauce to make a base for a stir fry, and instructions for braising the asian greens, along with serving suggestions. It will be a summer of experimenting, but I'm committed to using it all and not throwing anything away.