Steal of the Week: Pumpkin Bread

That awesome first CSA box experience included 2 pie pumpkins. Here then is my opportunity to confess I have NEVER cooked with fresh pumpkin. However, the opportunity presented itself and I was on the search for a pumpkin recipe calling for the fresh stuff.
Then I found this recipe for Pumpkin Bread by one of my favorite chefs, Alton Brown. It was especially attractive because it used the seeds too.
While peeling the pumpkin proved difficult (I was down a vegetable peeler) the food processor made quick work of shredding the flesh. I toasted the seeds to add and the result was moist, delicious and devoured by my office in one work day!

Admittedly, the seeds in my opinion did not add as much to the bread as I thought and I do not think they are absolutely necessary. I can see variations of this and definitely muffins would be great!

Crock-pot Creation

That CSA box I purchased contained radishes. I do not believe I have ever put a radish in anything other than a salad! However, it is a root vegetable so why not use them in stew? The problem? No stew meat. However, I did have boneless chicken thighs and decided to go with those.
Two pounds of thighs, one cup of red wine, two packets of brown gravy mix, one cup water, four sliced carrots, the radishes, chopped green pepper, salt and pepper. 10 hours later, a pot roast like stew I served over rice for hubby and over some toasted sourdough for me!

My First CSA Box! Local Produce at the Ready

I am so excited about locally grown produce! Let me back up...I have never participated in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture for those of you who may not know) and was always a little hesitant to do so because of the commitment. Ordinarily, you pay up front for 6 weeks of produce that you need to pick up from a specified location. THAT seemed unattainable to me and my family, the crazy-busy, two-people-working-outside-the-home family that we are. So I was very excited when a farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia started offering a "flexible" CSA which allows you to choose the weeks you want to order. Mattawoman Creek Farms sends me an e-mail advising me of that week's selection and if I am interested, I pay via PayPal and choose my desired pick-up location.

Today was my first pick-up which was a breeze, just signed my name and got my produce. And what a bounty I got: pie pumpkins, butternut squash, arugula, red radishes, a hot pepper mix and purple potatoes. I am so excited to make some yummy dishes. I have already froze some of the hot peppers for later and I am working on creating a spicy harvest soup of squash and pumpkin. If you want to know more about CSAs, check out Local Harvest: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/