How to Cook Your CSA: Leafy Greens 101

This is the first installment of recipes featuring vegetables from our weekly farm share from Signal Mountain Farm (http://signalmountainfarm.com/). Having a CSA share is a fantastic value for people who like to cook and eat fresh vegetables. Nonetheless, many are sometimes hesitant to commit to a relationship with a farm that might involve weeks of cooking large quantities of broad leafy greens, or receiving vegetables that may be unfamiliar. A common question is, "What do I do with Kohlrabi, fennel and eggplant?" So for the next several months, I will be posting the favorites enjoyed by my family and friends.

This week and last we have received an abundance of gorgeous greens such as kale, collards, chard, bok choi. The kohlrabi has also arrived with leaves attached, so we have had plenty of some of the worlds most nutrient rich foods. For greens, we usually wash, remove the thick stems, and then roll the leaves into a "log" and slice thinly across the log. We like them sort of crunchy so my preference is to sautee the greens in a little oil, then flavor with salt and balsamic vinegar once they turn bright green and are wilted and tender. For a more complex flavor, you can try the following recipe with any of the leafy greens:

Beer Braised Greens With Ginger

1-2 Bunches of broad leafy greens like kale or collards, stems removed and sliced thinly

Canola oil

2 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced

1 Tbs fresh ginger root, peeled & minced

Worcestershire sauce

Marmite or soy sauce

1 dark amber beer or ale like Highland Gaelic Ale

Salt & pepper to taste

Heat a little oil in a large skillet and add greens and garlic. Sautee until they wilt and turn bright green. Add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of Marmite (or a dash or two of soy sauce). Stir in well and cook until the greens begin to brown a little. Add the ginger root and one half of the ale. Stir, and simmer a few minutes more, or until they reach your desired tenderness. ( The other half of the beer is for drinking while you wait for the greens to cook.) Salt and pepper to taste & serve.