WHAT TO DO WITH THE EGGPLANT?
FARMERS MARKETS, FOR THE MOST PART, ARE CLOSED FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE. THE FARMERS STILL HAVE FOOD, BUT LACK A CENTRAL LOCATION TO SELL. AN OPTION FOR THE TIME BEING IS TO BUY CSA BOXES, CHECK YOUR AREA TO FIND ONE THAT DELIVERS TO YOU. THERE ARE MANY PROS TO USING THESE SERVICES THAT GO FURTHER THAN SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL FARMER. THE FOOD IS ALMOST ALWAYS FRESHER, TOUCHED BY LESS PEOPLE, AND IN SEASON. THE ONE DOWNSIDE CAN BE THAT THE AVAILABLE FRUITS AND VEGGIES AREN’T FOODS THAT YOU ARE USED TO EATING OR COOKING WITH. DON’T LET THAT STOP YOU, THE INTERNET IS YOUR GREATEST TOOL WHEN STUMPED WITH HOW TO EAT A NEW VEGETABLE, LIKE AN EGGPLANT.
PERSONALLY, I HAVE USED IMPERFECT PRODUCE, A SERVICE THAT SELLS FOOD THAT DOESN’T MEET GROCERY STORES APPEARANCE STANDARDS, FOR YEARS. THIS PAST WEEK TWO EGGPLANTS CAME IN MY IMPERFECT PRODUCE BOX. AT FIRST, I WAS INTIMIDATED BY THE EGGPLANT. I HAVE TRIED PAN FRYING BUT IT ALWAYS BECAME GOOEY, SO I DECIDED TO TRY MAKING MY FAVORITE MIDDLE EASTERN SNACK- BABAGANUSH. AFTER SCANNING THE INTERNET, I FOUND RECIPES, WHICH I ADAPTED TO FIT WITH THE TIME, TOOLS AND SPICES IN MY KITCHEN.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants thinly sliced
- salt
- olive oil – drizzle
- 5 TB lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 TB tahini
The Steps:
- Set the eggplant in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, let sit for ten minutes.
- Broil the eggplant for 10 minutes and let cool.
- But all ingredients in the cuisinart/blender/vitamix **use what you have
more info….
CSA: COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE, IT IS A WAY OF SUPPORTING SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICALLY RESPONSIBLE FARMING PRACTICES. THE MAJORITY OF FOOD FALLS UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING
HOW TO FIND: https://www.localharvest.org/csa/
IMPERFECT PRODUCE: THE MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE FOOD WASTE AND BUILD A BETTER FOOD SYSTEM FOR EVERYONE
HOW TO FIND: https://www.imperfectfoods.com
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: I LOVE THE FOOD DIVERSITY WITH THE IMPERFECT PRODUCE BOX. THE VEGETABLES OFTEN ARE “PERFECT” TO THE NAKED EYE. SOMETIMES THE FOOD IS INTERESTING/DIFFERENT AND THE KIDS THINK THATS SUPER COOL. I PERSONALLY LIKE THE DRIED MANGO PIECES AND THE EGGPLANT.