Week 4 spring CSA:

Tastes of the garden:
Lettuce Mix
Ford Hook Giant Swiss Chard
Red Giant Mustard Green
Eggs
Oregano

and... Fresh Bread!

Cream of the crop:
has all of the above plus:
Yellow Chard
Red Russian Kale
Sage
Leeks
Black Salsify
White Superior Potato
Fingerling Potatoes (French Fingerling)

TABLE TALK

What the heck is that black root you ask?  Well, Ken Scott, one of our members said "it look's sort of medieval".  I'd have to agree, it is a bit ominous and threatening.  But there is always a little pleasure in doing something dangerous, don't you think?  Well, let's see if we can't learn a little about black salsify and thereby reduce our instinctual habit to protect ourselves from the unknown.

Black Salsify is actually a member of the Asteraceae family (sunflowers). 

It is native to Southern Europe and the Near East and recieves it's name from the word scorzon which means snake.  (Ken was right, this thing is medieval!) This root crop is considered nutritious.  It contains proteins, fats, the glycosides asparagine, choline and laevulin, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and vitamins A, B1, E and C. Since it also contains the glycoside inulin, which consists of fructose, it is particularly suitable for diabetics.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_salsify)

To prepare, remove the skins before cooking.  No one really eats them.  You can remove them before or after boiling. If the skin is removed prior to boiling, the peeled root should be immediately immersed in water mixed with vinegar and flour, in order to prevent discoloring. I recommend peeling after boiling because the sap is extremely sticky.

Black salsify pairs well with other veggies, namely peas and carrots.  Sometimes it is used to flavor sauces such as béchamel.  You may also try making salsify fritters by coating the root with batter and deep frying them.  I found this recipe that looks interesting:  http://nymag.com/restaurants/recipes/inseason/44465/

Now, let’s put on our armor, get out our swords, and attack the salsify head on!