Maximizing Every Farm Share

Employing these strategies will take the pressure off utilizing your weekly Farm Share (CSA), and help you capitalize on the joys of seasonal eating.

  • Rollover 

    Recognize that a large portion of your Farm Share doesn’t need to be used immediately, or even during the week ahead. You are in this for the long haul, and your primary motivation is to capitalize on the season.

    Roots – within days 1-2 of bringing your Farm Share home, remove greens from roots. Doing so early on will make your roots (such as carrots, beets, turnips, radishes) last months instead of days. Make a habit of stockpiling roots week-to-week. They’ll be on hand when you’re ready to use them!

    Did you receive potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatillos, hot peppers, or winter squash? Hold onto them until the time is right. Prioritize using the most perishable items in your Farm Share first.

  • You Want What You Can’t Have 

    A number of local vegetables reach us during their peak season, which typically may last just 2-8 weeks. Those may be the only 2-8 weeks that vegetable is available in the span of a whole year. So, preserve the abundance to enjoy later! Prime examples include tomatoes, okra, basil, figs, green beans & long beans, snow peas, and cauliflower. The easiest way to preserve is to freeze. Dehydration is also an easy option. Also, you may enjoy learning to can and pickle!

  • Dunk It 

    To prevent water loss, store bunched leafy greens and herbs in a plastic bag or moistened fabric bag. Most greens and herbs will stay fresh this way for at least 1 week.

    Before use, zhuzh leafy greens by dunking them in a large bowl of cold water. Submerge for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, then shake or drip dry.

    When preparing baby salad greens, submerge, agitate and rinse several times to remove soil particles, then drip dry or use a salad spinner.

  • Seeing Green 

    An unmistakable part of the Farm Share lifestyle is the constant flow of fresh greens. With strategies on hand, it’ll be easy to make use of greens every week (and reap their healthy benefits):

    1. Salad (duh)! Even if it’s a no-brainer, salads can be a vehicle for endless creativity.
    2. Cook your salad (?). From Serious Eats: Firmer lettuces such as Romaine can be stir-fried, braised, grilled, or puréed and added to soups and sauces.
    3. Pesto it.
    4. Smoothie it. Add greens to fruit smoothies to make them green & healthy.
    5. Sauté it.

    The simplest side dish in the world is sautéed greens. Follow this formula for a tasty, healthy side dish in minutes:

      1. Wash and chop your greens.
      2. Choose your fat – e.g. olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, butter, ghee, etc. – or opt for just water.
      3. Choose your flavor – e.g. soy, miso, garlic, onion, lemon juice, maple syrup, sriracha, cheese, salt & pepper, tahini, etc.
      4. Cook it up!

    6. Cream it.

    7. Saag Paneer it.
    8. Quiche it.
    9. Make a green filling – for dumplings, spanakopita, meatballs, ravioli, stuffing, etc.

  • Eat Soup 

    Making soup is a preparation option available for nearly every produce item that can make its way into your Farm Share. It can be hot, cold, smooth, chunky, savory, sweet, simple or sophisticated. When you get into the habit of making soups, that means your meal has an extra course and becomes a little bit more special. Having soup on hand for a quick meal is also très convenient!

  • Taste

    Again, from Serious Eats: Learning to identify flavor affinities is one of the most valuable culinary skills for a CSA [Farm Share] member. Plus, it’s an important step toward starting to think like a chef, and how fun is that? Your best resource in this regard is your taste buds. Take a little bite of every food you get that’s safe to eat raw, and over time you’ll develop confidence in your flavor-matching abilities. When unpacking your Farm Share each week, take time to graze and let your tastebuds give you ideas. Remember, many seasonal items pair perfectly together!

  • Think Globally 

    You’re bound to receive items in your Farm Share that you’ve not encountered before. Particularly in Houston’s hot & humid summertime, Plant It Forward’s Farm Share takes on a characteristically global culinary nature. Follow your intuition, but also, consult world recipes. The ingredients that may puzzle you are everyday home cookin’ in another corner of the globe, and perhaps, in another corner of our vibrant multinational, multicultural city. Mastering global cooking techniques and recipes is a treasured part of seasonal eating in Houston. Eat adventurously!

  • Be Social 

    Talking about food is always fun! Chat with your farmer at the market. Exchange tips with folks at your Farm Share pick-up location. Share your culinary creations in our Farm Shareholder Facebook Group.

    If you find your fridge to be seriously overflowing, share extra produce with friends, family, and neighbors.

  • Keep a Ready Pantry

    Keep stock of pantry items that will make utilizing every Farm Share a breeze. The exact make-up of your pantry stapes will be determined by your preference and experience. There are a number of guides online to help you get started in determining your essentials.

Ready to start cooking?

Our Veggie Guide features seasonal recipes that highlight Houston-grown fresh produce.

Recipes