Here at Whit’s Amuse Bouche, we like to focus on supporting our local community. Many of you may remember my not so secret love affair with my first farmers market experience at Green City Market in Chicago years ago, and ever since then, I have tried to buy local foods as often as I could. I personally find that the most beneficial and thrilling way to do this is by joining a CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and effectively it means that you pay for a “share” of produce from a farm up front, and in return, you get a box of fresh, organic, local produce every week. By paying the farm up front, you ensure that they have the funds needed to continue to run their operation, and you become a shareholder in their farm.
Think of it as buying stock in a company, with many more benefits. Aside from receiving organic local produce, there is a sense of surprise that accompanies a CSA every week. While your farm can tell you what to expect to receive in your box, the farmers pull whatever is the most ripe out of the ground right before they deliver the produce, so it is always a surprise.
Many of you may be wondering how hard it is to plan for weekly dinners when you don’t know what you’re receiving, but I am here to tell you that it is no different than going to the grocery store and buying “what looks the best” or “what is on sale.” There is a certain amount of flexibility involved, but there is nothing more rewarding than creating something wonderful that you’d hadn’t planned.
And now that you understand the background of a CSA, I am thrilled to share with you that I am partnering with Grant Family Farms in a 26 week series called “Farm Fresh” where we explore the benefits and surprises of having a CSA, and I share recipes with you that I have created from the produce in my box. I hope this series will not only inspire you to join a CSA, but to support your local farmers, get to know them, and become familiar with the local food movement that is sweeping our nation.
Grant Family Farms is located in Wellington, Colorado, in the foothills just near the Wyoming border. They have been practicing organic farming and sustainable efforts for over 35 years and they are the largest CSA program in the nation, weighing in with nearly 5000 CSA members. Their service area extends over all of Colorado and Wyoming. Their Summer CSA season lasts from June – December, and members can sign up at any time. I encourage you to go to their website and join their CSA! Whit’s Amuse Bouche readers will receive a 5% discount on any purchase from Grant Family Farms by entering FARMFRESHAB at check out! And you. are. welcome!
This week in my box, I received garlic scapes, lettuce (a ton!), scallions, spinach, Mexican red beans, eggs, farm made sauerkraut, parsley, cilantro and rhubarb. Talk about a haul! Since I know I won’t always be receiving eggs in my produce box, I thought I would take advantage by making a Farm Fresh Frittata. Using mostly ingredients from my box and a few others from my pantry staples, I was able to create a wonderful meatless option that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
If you have other cheeses in your fridge, feel free to substitute and make this your own!
Spinach, Scape, and Gruyere Frittata
Made with the staples from my CSA.
Ingredients:
- olive oil - 2 tablespoons
- onion, - 1, finely diced
- eggs - 6 large, beaten
- whole milk - 1/2 cup
- spinach - 1/2 pound
- garlic scapes - 1/4 cup, diced
- parsley - 1/4 cup, chopped
- gruyere cheese - 1/4 cup, freshly grated
- parmesan - 1/2 cup, freshly grated
- salt and pepper - to taste
Instructions:
Tell me what else you’d like to know about CSA’s!
Love,
Whit
