Pressed Cabbage Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 large head green cabbage (about 1 1/4 pounds)

• 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

• 2 TBS soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

• 1 TBS Szechwan Peppercorns (or substitute ground pepper)

Directions:

Slice cabbage into crosswise strips (as thin as possible) - about 6 cups. Combine all ingredients - toss. Fill a gallon-sized ziplock plastic bag on top of the cabbage and let stand for 1 hour. Remove the weight, toss gently, and weight again until cabbage has wilted, about 1 hour more. Discard the weight. Serve as is or refrigerate for up to several days.

Adapted from recipe by Jack Bishop (Vegetables Every Day) recommended by Farm Box member Monica Convery-Rank.

Cilantro Lime Slaw

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded green cabbage

• 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 fresh jalapeño, seeds removed and minced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp sea salt

• pinch black pepper

• 1/4 cup lime juice (can substitute lemon or orange juice)

• 1/2 cup sour cream (can substitute yogurt, or coconut cream)

• 2 T apple cider vinegar

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, sour cream, lime juice, and vinegar. Pour over the vegetable mix and stir well to fully coat with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving. 

Adapted from this recipe, recommended by Farm Box member Natalie Miske.

Spicy Kale Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches kale, washed, ribs removed, and leaves chopped (dinosaur kale preferred, but you can also use curly kale or a mixture of both)

• 2 slices stale bread, cubed (if your bread is not dried out, lightly toast it first)

• 4 Tbs. olive oil, divided

• 2-3 Tbs. sriracha sauce or chili garlic sauce, divided (reduce or omit if you don’t like spicy food)

• ½ c. plain yogurt (regular or Greek-style)

• juice of ½ lemon

• 1 Tbs. red or white wine vinegar

• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (substitute 2 tsp. soy sauce for vegetarian version)

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• ½ c. freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, but recommended)

• salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Toss the bread cubes with 2 Tbs. olive oil, 1 Tbs. sriracha sauce (if using), and a sprinkle of salt.  Spread onto a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 5-7 minutes.  Use a spatula to flip bread cubes over, then bake for another 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Meanwhile, place the chopped kale in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 Tbs. olive oil, the remaining 1-2 Tbs. sriracha sauce (if using), the yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.  Pour over the kale and toss until kale is coated with dressing and begins to break down.  Add the parmesan cheese, if using, and toss again.  Stir in salt and pepper to taste, then top with croutons.

Roasted pumpkin with cinnamon

Ingredients:

• 1 medium pie pumpkin (or butternut squash)

• 1 Tbs. olive oil

• ¼ tsp. cinnamon

• ½ tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Slice pumpkin in half and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds; discard, or save to toast as a snack (rinse seeds well first).  Slice the pumpkin halves crosswise into half-moon shapes about ½ inch in thickness.  In a medium bowl, toss the pumpkin slices with the olive oil, cinnamon, and salt.  Spread in a single layer onto a baking sheet and bake until tender and browned, about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.  Serve hot, or allow to cool to room temperature and use to top a kale salad.