Good Food!

Today was the CSA farm box day!

Once again, it was filled with goodness. Today we received lettuce, bok choy, spinach, red, green, & yellow onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms, thyme, grapes, avocados, lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and apples.

We were inspired to cook by all that incoming goodness. We made a great salad with leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and radishes. Then we experimented and came up with a great new pasta recipe, and finished up with a pumpkin cake glazed with dark chocolate. Here's the recipe for the pasta:

Julie Ann's Penne with meatballs and Italian Kale

1 lb wholewheat penne

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage (or veggie Italian sausage)

1 bunch of Italian kale, leaves separated and rinsed

3 Tbsp water

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

1/4 lb mushrooms, sliced

1 tsp Italian seasoning herbs

Splash of red wine

2 Tbsp sundried tomatoes, soaked and roughly chopped

Parmesean cheese

1) Put water on to boil in large pot for pasta.

2) Heat oil in large skillet over low heat. Form mini meatballs from sausage, 1/2 inch diameter. Add to oil and stir to brown evenly.

3) In a large pot steam kale in 3 Tbsp water for 5 minutes.

4) Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions.

5) Add onion, mushrooms, and tomatoes to meatballs. Drain kale and add to meatballs. Add herbs. Splash with red wine. Saute over medium low, adding more liquid if necessary.

6) Drain pasta. Add to meatballs and stir to mix well. Serve in a large bowl with a sprinkle of parmesean. Enjoy!

(I bet this would also be great with spicy sausage, too.)