Planning Meals From a CSA

This year instead of having our own garden we are supporting a local CSA. Each Friday we receive a basket of various fresh vegetables from Pumpkin Ridge Gardens. Planning meals from a CSA is not hard and each week I try to use up all the vegetables we received.

Pumpkin Ridge Gardens, where we receive our CSA from makes it so easy in planning meals from a CSA. Each Monday I can go online to see what vegetables will be included in my basket. This gives me an idea of what meals I will need to plan.

They also give you a few recipe ideas using the various vegetables you will be receiving. This has proved very helpful especially when trying vegetables for the first time like kohlrabi! In all my years of gardening I had never tried kohlrabi before, I had no idea how to even go about preparing it!

Pumpkin Ridge Gardens gave me a wonderful way to prepare kohlrabi and use it in a salad. I shared the recipe in a previous blog and all enjoyed it.

If you don’t like the recipes given that week, no problem just go onto to the Pumpkin Ridge Garden website and they have a password protected section just for the members of the CSA. On the page you will find numerous recipes. Just click on the vegetable you want to use and you will find ideas.

I used their website when I wondered how to prepare sorrel, another vegetable I had never tried. I made a Sorrel Soup which was very good.

My goal each week is to us up all the vegetables I receive before the next order comes. By planning meals from the CSA I have been able to do this each week. We have enjoyed pizza topped with sautéed greens and a Beef with Oyster Sauce made with fresh bok chow and broccoli!

Next year I hope to have a few raised beds in place to be able to raise my own vegetables. However I am so glad I decided to be a part of this CSA this year. I am able to support the local farmers, enjoy fresh organic vegetables and have them delivered to my house each week.

Not only have we enjoyed those benefits but we have met others from the CSA when Pumpkin Ridge Gardens hosted a potluck for all the members. It was a wonderful way to meet the others and enjoy some delicious food!