CSA Week Twenty-Three

This my second to last week of my CSA.  So sad!  Here is what I got:

-Sweet potatoes
-Leeks
-Lettuce and other greens
-Fennel
-Carnival squash
-Broccoli
-Apples
-Eggs


Next week, I hope to be posting more frequently as Thanksgiving is quickly approaching.  For now, check out my perfect pie dough recipe.  Click here.

The Doughnut Plant Counter

Just a pretty picture I took at The Doughnut Plant, while my parents were visiting a month ago.  Man, I wish I was there right now.  Click here to read my review.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Pineapple Fizzy Lizzy

Okay, this week the best thing I had in my mouth is actually a drink!  My friend brought this Fizzy Lizzy Pineapple Fruit Juice + Fizzy Water drink home to me as a special treat.  I request a lot of special treats.  Simplicity is what makes this drinks so sweet and special.  It is just pineapple puree and triple-filtered carbonated water.  Ummm, why didn't I think of that?  All Fizzy Lizzy drinks are around 60 percent juice per bottle, and they make a pretty convincing argument as to why their fancy juice drink is better than the rest.  My only suggestion for Fizzy Lizzy is to make their website as cute and fun as their bottle.  Come on guys!  I am not a huge soda fan, but I could definitely see me adding this to the end of a Mexican fiesta, making it a delicious liquid dessert.  I actually had to go to the grocery store to get myself another one the next day!

CSA Week Twenty-Two

Hello!  I got a lot of greens this week from my CSA.  I think I am going to my FAVORITE soup - hearty winter vegetable with this produce.  Here is what I got:
-Collard greens
-Leeks
-Potatoes
-Boy choy
-Mesclun
-Arugula
-Broccoli
-Acorn squash
-Eggs
-Jonagold Apples
-Mutsu Apples

Have a great weekend, I am off to watch the NYC Marathon!

Lime-Chili Pumpkin Seeds

If you have some pumpkins left over from Halloween, do not let it rot away on your porch or window sill, cut off the top and scoop out the seeds and toast them.  I have had a teeny pumpkin sitting on my kitchen window sill for two months now.  It traveled in my suitcase all the way from my best friend's backyard in Minneapolis, to my apartment in Harlem.  I felt foolish even taking it on the plane, and even thought about throwing it away behind her back.  But I am glad I thought otherwise, because it landed in perfect condition, and every time I see it I think of her.  Although I wanted to carve it, I just did not find the time, so toasting the seeds was as good as I could get for Halloween.  My coworker gave me the great suggestion of using lime juice to flavor the seeds before baking, so I thought I would share the recipe with you.

Here are the ingredients for Lime-Chili Pumpkin Seeds, for about 1 cup of seeds:
-Pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried completely
-1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder
-1 to 2 teaspoons of salt
-1 teaspoon olive oil
-Juice from one lime

I have found that it is easier to scoop the seeds out with your hands instead of using a spoon.  Your delicate little fingers separate the pumpkin strands from the seeds as you pull them out.  Rinse them in a colander and make sure you get all the extraneous strands of pumpkin off.  Lay out the seeds on a paper towel, and let them dry completely.  I usually do this over night.  My coworker, suggested this to be a good time to sprinkle with lime juice so that the juice will soak in an dry out on the shells.  I had already dried mine out, so I just splashed the juice right before I put them in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Take your dried seeds, and mix with salt, chili powder, olive oil, and lime juice (if you have not added the juice already).  Feel free to add more or less chili powder, depending on what you like.  I will definitely add more next time.

Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.  Take out once the seeds are crisp and toasted.  Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm or at room temperature.

If you want to do something with the actual pumpkin, try David Lebovitz's roasted pumpkin recipe.  Click here.

Paris Vs. New York

Just had to quickly share this adorable blog I came across last week.  It is called Paris Vs. New York, and the blog simply illustrates the differences between the two cities.  I am including a couple food-related ones, but please check out the blog to see the rest of Vahram Muratyan's illustrations.  Someday I hope to go to Paris and compare for myself :)  Enjoy!

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Zaza Candy

If you have ever been to B & H, you know just how crazy it can get in there.  Most people go there for their huge assortment of camera equipment, but I go there for their Zaza candy.  This small, chewy taffy is kosher and comes in a wide variety of fruity flavors.  There are small bowls taffy throughout the two-floor store.  I usually pretend to be looking at equipment, but really I am scouting out my next bowl, which I quickly snatch taffy and put in my pockets.  I come out of the store with my pockets filled to the brim - no joke.  The grape flavor Zaza is definitely the best thing I had in my mouth last week :)