Food for the Future Veggie Box
Since we missed the Food for the Future Fair in Chippo this past weekend, I had a look at Eva’s photos to see how it went. I got really excited by this one which shows a leaflet about “veggie boxes.” The idea is that for $25-30, you get a box delivered every week full of in-season fruit and veggies from local farms in the Hawkesbury. The Snook and I immediately agreed that it’s a good idea. We always struggle with eating enough veggies, so this will force us to use them up (and learn new ways to cook them). I immediately filled out the order form and got an email back from the organizer right away. They were selling boxes at the Fair, and he still had one remaining box left if we wanted it. I walked over last night and picked it up!
So for our $30, we got a dozen organic free-range eggs, a few onions and potatoes, two different varieties of apples, oranges, a leek, a bulb of fennel, a head of cos lettuce, a bunch of celery, a tub of Blue Mountains honey, and five bottles of organic ginger beer. Nice! Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. I think the eggs, leek, and potatoes are crying out to be used in a quiche or frittata. The fennel will be good braised or used in a stew. But what to do with a whole head of celery? Neither of us particularly likes eating it raw…
Nicole
October 15, 2008 — 1:43 pm
celery is fantastic as a flavouring in soups and stews. you could just put in a couple of stalks at the beginning and take them out in the end. Or dicing them up very finely and stirring them into other foods so they arent noticeable. Hope it helps.
M-H
October 15, 2008 — 2:16 pm
You can cook it in a kind of white sauce and eat it as a vegetable, but I find it even less palatable that way. It’s very strong. The only way I use it is as flavouring, as Nicole suggests.
Jenny
October 15, 2008 — 2:19 pm
Ants on a log! Ants on a log!
Kris
October 15, 2008 — 3:51 pm
Ants on a log is RAW! I don’t know that peanut butter would make up for it. (And the Snook hates raisins. Don’t ask me why. I agree he’s weird.)
Tricia
October 15, 2008 — 4:16 pm
Bloody Marys! Hot wings!
Or, throw some in the cavity of a chicken before roasting, then add some more to the carcass for stock. Oh, and dice some finely into stuffing to eat with the bird.
Now I want roast chicken with fixin’s…
We get an organic produce delivery box like that every other week. It is fun to figure out what to do with the veggies.
Emily
October 15, 2008 — 5:34 pm
Nah, it’s horrible, only any good in stews/soups at a very early point as part of some bouquet garni type thing. Otherwise – yeuch, peanut butter canNOT overcome!
Michael
October 16, 2008 — 12:35 am
We use a company called Sydney Fresh (http://sydneyfresh.com.au/) delivers a box every week for $30 or $50 (two sizes). They get all their produce fresh from the markets. Something to compare to.
eileen
October 16, 2008 — 2:45 am
I vote for bloody marys! I guess this helps if you actually like celerry, which I do, but I cut it up with carrot sticks and dip them in hummus for a healthy snack. Also, look up Mirepoix (the “holy trinity” of celery, onion, and carrot) for lots of celery recipies- there are tons!
Eva
October 16, 2008 — 11:26 am
Dad actually cooks it. He puts it through stirfrys with carrots, chicken and flaked toasted almonds. Its great for people who live for texture. Steph isn’t keen on it. But i remember struggling to learn how to say celery in chinese so i could eat it! (Its “Say-Kun” btw)
Eva
October 16, 2008 — 11:30 am
Paddys market and Flemington Market is cheap. But I have to say there is no promise that you are buying from Local Farmers. I’ve seen veggies and fruit from places i didnt know could grow food! At least this method you are supporting the surrounding areas!!
Kris
October 16, 2008 — 5:50 pm
Hm, the Sydney Fresh is interesting. They don’t give any indication fo how much you get. Is it comparable to what I posted about? We got a $30 box.
One problem is with delivery. Our new house has a high wall with a locking gate, so we don’t have anywhere to receive deliveries when we’re not home. With the Food for the Future people, I can actually pick it up since it’s just around the corner.
Michael
October 16, 2008 — 8:58 pm
Not a great pic but should give you some idea (there’s more underneath) – http://img.skitch.com/20081016-g87aexwxdj8ppjd629a68pur81.jpg