I don’t know about you but I’m getting tired of the limited fresh produce options this winter. Sure you can buy almost any fruit or vegetable any time of the year but nothing beats farm fresh organic produce delivered the day it is picked. Not only is the flavor fabulous but the nutritional value of produce begins to decline the minute it is picked. Search for CSA in your community. For Northern Nevada try these sites http://www.greatbasinbasketcsa.com and www.mountainbountyfarm.com/csa-offerings. If you don’t have access to a CSA then search for Farmers Markets in your area where you can pick and choose the freshest produce. Northern Nevada is in the high desert so our farmers won’t be harvesting until at least April. However we are very close to California’s Central Valley where they are harvesting interesting greens, turnips, radishes, carrots and beets. Who doesn’t love a fresh salad with mesclun (arugula, mizuna, mustard greens, baby chard and baby red leaf lettuce, oh my) with grated beets, carrots and radishes? Dress the salad with a light dash of premium lemon olive oil and a splash of white balsamic vinegar. Let the greens shine. Full disclosure: I hate turnips and believe me I have tried to find the love. I tried frying, baking, roasting and raw and I couldn’t do it, not even in a box with a fox. Watch this space for my weekly CSA, What’s in the box, Doc? posts starting in April. I’ll show you what to do with a box of Spring veggies.
Go forth and find your fresh.
And Savor every bite.