Mystery Box Theatre

Are you up for the challenge? The challenge of the mystery produce box??

Selin and I decided to go halfsies on a "mystery box" from the Country Line Harvest Rogue Market this past Sunday. I saw an article in the Chronicle about Namu (love) hosting a new Rogue Market on Sundays from 12-3. We chatted about signing up for a CSA box and I thought this sounded like a great option. $25 a box, no commitment and multiple days/locations throughout the city. Another perk, Namu was offering a jar of kimchi with each box. O hey free goodies!

It's super easy to get a box. You simply email the folks at Country Line Harvest (I didn't get around to emailing until Saturday afternoon) specifying the location you want to pick up from, show up with your wad-o-cash and ta daaa!

Massive box of seasonal organic produce.

Produce makes scrappy looking me happy.

In this particular box, we had rainbow chard, braising greens, dandelion greens, spinach, pea shoots, turnips, beets, carrots, cherry tomatoes, a variety of peppers, Armenian cucumber, dill, basil, and flowers. I think that was everything...

For my first meal, I made Salmon with Mustard Shallot Capellini and Pea Shoots

Mustard Shallot Capellini

1/2 lb cappellini, cooked and drained

1/3 c pasta water

2 tbsp whole grain mustard

2 shallot, minced

1 tbsp greek yogurt

2 tbsp white wine

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

handful cherry tomatoes

salt & pepper

In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium high heat. Saute shallot until translucent. Add white wine and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in mustard and greek yogurt and cook for another minute, stirring frequently. Add pasta and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tomatoes start to burst. Add pasta water if sauce gets too sticky and season with salt and pepper.

Sauteed Pea Shoots

1 bunch pea shoots, trimmed

1 tsp olive oil

1/4 tsp garlic powder

salt & pepper

Heat olive oil in a pan, add pea shoots and garlic powder. Cook until pea shoots start to wilt. Season with salt and pepper.

I topped these with a seared piece of salmon. A simple sprinkle of salt and pepper and a quick sear on both sides. Ahhh.

How inventive are you when it comes to using the ingredients you have on hand? Would you be excited or overwhelmed about a mystery box of produce??