TWH 3.20.23
Area 2 Farms Local Organic Harvest for the Week of 20 March 2023
It’s the first week of spring, and we are celebrating! The Farmer’s Almanac calls for a strong season, and this week’s harvest is an early showing of what’s to come as the season comes into full bloom.
Sweet Citrus
Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing, and this sweet citrus salad blend provides a tangy, distinctive flavor profile for an early spring salad. Hints of lemon mix and beet add layers to this light fare, with vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
Farmer’s recommendation: It’s spring — have a spring salad! Add gorgonzola or chèvre, a drizzle of honey or agave, and pecans or almonds for an unforgettable meal. For a double dose of citrus, add orange slices.
Cabbage Microgreens
Pastels are big this season, even in your microgreens! These delicate green and purple hues highlight the crunchy goodness of cabbage, and have several times the nutrition. Antioxidant and amino acid rich, these microgreens have vitamins B6, K, C, and A.
Farmer’s recommendation: The perfect topper with our sweet citrus blend, these micros also put on a good show accompanying dinner entrees and sprinkled in sandwiches. Serve these crispy delights as their own dish with a touch of sea salt.
Sunflower Shoots
Somewhere between a sunflower seed and a full bloom, these shoots are delicious, hearty, and taste like sunshine. Full of iron, potassium, and magnesium, this fibrous health food contains a spectrum of vitamins, such as B, D, E, and A.
Farmer’s recommendation: These hearty shoots add texture to dips, bruschetta, salads, and sandwiches. The flavor is similar to sunflower seeds, and can be used atop meat or stir fry dishes. Try with lemon pepper to top pastas and pestos.
Dill + Chives
The fragrant tonic of dill and the mild pertness of chive pair perfectly in this week’s herb combination. These herbs have vitamin C and astringent properties that can help clear sinuses fight early spring sniffles. Perfect to add dimension to mild flavors, or to elevate bold flavors to new heights.
Farmer’s recommendation: Use these anywhere you would onion. Add to a soup, roast, or muddle into tomato-based dishes, smoothies or cocktails for a treat. Pair with sour cream and horseradish for a dip that tastes light yet flavorful. Spread atop meat or with crunchy, salty crudité for a spring sensation.
Hakurei Turnips
Warm spice and earthy notes accompany texture for a lively, versatile vegetable grown in our nutrient enhanced farm soil. Packed with vitamins C, B6, and E, these edible roots also include fiber, potassium, and vitamins K and A.
Farmer’s recommendation: These turnips are famous for tasting perfect in the raw. Sometimes known as the salad turnip, these special root vegetables can also be prepared on the stove in 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a filling midday snack, or use creatively with miso, ginger, or orange.
Butterflies & Flowers
You’ll get butterflies over this one! Spring is the perfect time to heal our bodies with medicinal plants, and what luckier way than with a shamrock?! Shamrocks have isoflavin, potassium, and calcium, and are a versatile conversation piece that supply tasty magic to any meal.
“The earth laughs in flowers,” penned Emerson, who loved farm fresh produce and edible blooms as much as we do. These flowers are the reason for the season, and add a farm fresh aesthetic and earthen taste to any dish. Enjoy the spring harvest deliberately with these antioxidant-rich delicacies.
