Veggie Tips

Some of our members are writing to us that they are yearning for lettuce and green garlic, and noticing that there have been a lot of repeats in the boxes from week to week.  Bunched greens and lettuce will be back in the Fall — for now, it’s still summer in the Capay Valley! Everything in your box is grown at Full Belly Farm, so only what is in season on our farm. Before we know it, the eggplants, tomatoes and melons will be gone, so now is the time to try all the summer recipes that you want to.

Eggplant: There are lots of recipe ideas for eggplant on our website. Have you made Baba Ganoush yet this summer?

Onions:  A fresh crop — you have been getting garlic for several weeks in a row, but now we have onions! Onions are a good start to any soup or stir-fry.

Peppers: Your box contains sweet peppers and also a spicy jalapeño pepper.  If you only use part of the jalapeño, you can wrap it up and store it in the refrigerator for later.

Tomatoes: Did you know that tomatoes are best stored in a cool place, but not in the refrigerator? The tomatoes in your box were ripened on the vine and should be eaten within the week. They become mealy if they are in a cold refrigerator for too long. Here’s how you could make some tomato juice: Wash and trim them, then cut into quarters or eighths. Simmer for 30 minutes. Press through a sieve. If desired, season with 1 teaspoon salt to each quart of juice. Pour into containers, leaving headspace (the liquid will expand as it freezes). Seal and freeze.