Before we joined our CSA, we stuck to buying the same fruits and vegetables, week after week. Even at the farmer's market, if I had time to go, I knew which items I wanted and stuck to those. I didn't bother trying to learn what those "mystery greens" or what that "unidentifiable tubular-shaped vegetable" was. At home, if I came across a recipe that had an ingredient that I was unsure of, I just didn't make that recipe. Easy peasy.
Once we became vegan, we became more interested in where all of our food was coming from. I began to research the horrors of Monsanto and how terrible produce that is not organic can be for you. I became aware of how much packaging was being wasted with all of our produce purchases. I didn't like it. Not one bit. We began to transition to mostly organic food (I would say that now we are at about 85-90% organic).
After this transition, we began to realize just how expensive it can get, trying to only consume organic produce. I also became concerned with the carbon footprint left by transporting organic produce that had been grown in Mexico or Chile. Since we don't have time to always go to the Farmer's Market, we needed an eco-friendly, inexpensive way to get our organic produce. I began researching local CSAs (Community Sustained Agriculture) and after trying a couple that left us pretty underwhelmed, we found Savraw.
I love Savraw because the fruit and vegetables are always fresh and delicious (truly some of the best produce I've ever eaten) and it's delivered right to my door. I also get the satisfaction of knowing that our money is supporting local farmers and not corporations. The best part is that they send me produce I never would think to buy on my own. Mizuna, Candy Cane Beets, Dandelion Greens, and Star Squash are just a few examples of the great things I've been able to try.
Recently, we received from our CSA, among a number of other wonderful things, asian pears and lemon cucumbers. Asian pears are probably more familiar sounding, and though I've known of them, I've never bought them because pears aren't my favorite fruit. They're a little too mealy for my taste, but Asian pears, to my surprise, are very crisp. They have a little twinge of tartness to them and remind me of apples but a little less juicy. I immediately wanted to put them in a salad, and opened my fridge to see what else the CSA fairy had brought and I found a handful of lemon cucumbers. Lemon cucumbers are more bulbous than their popular cousins, and though they share the same texture, they are slightly sweet. They seemed like the perfect companion to my asian pears and along with some lettuce our CSA brought us, a salad began to form. I added a few other ingredients we had in the kitchen, but since this was going to be our dinner, I wanted a little protein as well. This rich and smoky tempeh was perfect, but if tempeh isn't your thing, some baked tofu or chickpeas would also be great.
Thanks to our CSA, I'm so much more in awe of the beauty of plants and the huge variety of ways you can eat them, and I'm also more appreciative of the hard work my neighboring farmers do every day so we can have this beautiful organic produce. If you're stuck in a produce rut, don't be afraid to talk to the vendors at the farmer's market and try some new things. If you don't have time to go to the farmers market, look for a CSA in your area. You will be surprised with the creative dishes you are able to come up with, while decreasing your carbon footprint and supporting your local farmers.
Ingredients
- 4 cups spring mix greens (or other salad greens)
- 1 medium-large asian pear, quartered and very thinly sliced
- 2-3 medium-large lemon cucumbers, halved and very thinly sliced
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 3-4 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar (or white wine vinegar/sherry vinegar)
- 1/2 8oz package of tempeh
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable broth
- 1/2 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- dash of pepper
Instructions
- Very thinly slice your block of tempeh. Place it in a steamer and steam for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can skip this step if you’d like, but the steaming will remove some of the bitterness (I’ve done it both ways and like it steamed just a little bit more). In a small cup, mix together the molasses, balsamic vinegar, broth, Bragg Liquid Aminos, liquid smoke, rosemary, and pepper.
- Once the tempeh is done steaming, place it in a small frying pan, and heat it over medium heat. Flip it every couple minutes or so, to prevent sticking, but letting each side brown slightly. Let it break a part into small squares or crumbs. Once the tempeh is slightly browned, add the sauce and lower the heat to medium/low. Mix to fully coat all the tempeh and let it cook until the liquid is gone, flipping occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the liquid is gone, lower the heat to low and let it continue to cook and get a little more crisp, continuing to flip occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the tempeh is more on the dryer, crispier side, remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients and toss to combine. Divide the salad between two plates and top each salad with the tempeh bits. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Savraw did not ask me to write this. I am a customer of theirs and my opinions are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Somer
I love your CSA goods! How nice to get it delivered right to your door! There are some options here, but the price is a bit prohibitive and because of our weather, goods aren't available for 9 months of the year. We do a produce basket called bountiful baskets instead. They aren't fancy, but the price is right 😉
Oh that salad! I love asian pears! I've never had a lemon cucumber, but it sounds divine!
keepinitkind
Thanks Somer! Lemon cucumbers are amazing- they're so sweet, you can eat them like you would an apple, but there's no core!
There's an option for pick-up as well, for $5 less, but knowing me, I would forget or be late. I opted to just have it delivered and for $30, having almost half your groceries done for the week- it's totally worth it. I can understand opting out of it if it's not available 9 months out of the year, though! That's so peculiar! I like that there is a produce basket to rely on!
Caitlin
what a beautiful salad! i LOVE asian pears, but they are so expensive! my mom will buy me some on easter, as my easter basket 😉
i'm with you. i am hardcore organic food buyer. even though it can get a bit pricy, i have no problem shelling out the money. there's no way i'm buying a conventional apple no matter how much less it is than organic.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caitlin! I wish I had tried asian pears sooner! And it sounds like you have an amazing mom! 🙂
We don't mind paying extra for organic either. It's not only better for us, it shows companies that there is a demand for it and hopefully, more things will be grown organically in the future.
Melissa
This salad looks so pretty! I am with you - I really like my CSA-like service that delivers because it does get me to try new things. Also it indulges my lazy side. 😉
keepinitkind
Thanks, Melissa! I must admit, my laziness was a factor in choosing the delivery over pick-up. Also, knowing me, I would forget or be late. 😉
Richa`
love the thin pear slices, tart cherries and the delicate greens! my husband loves new stuff, so everytime we get new fruits, veggies or greens in the farm delivery, he wants me to make something fun with it:) over the last year, his office friends tell him how his lunch plate has changed from random cheesy burgers to double plates of unknown greens, fruits beans/lentils, so many unpronounceable gran things(quinoa) 😉
i think the way all the good organic produce makes my tummy feel is worth a little extra spending. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Richa! When I work in an office, I always get weird looks at lunchtime too. It's also because I don't order lunch with everyone else- I just prefer to bring my own! 🙂
You are so right- you do feel healthier when you consume organic food. Chris has severe asthma which has definitely improved since switching to organic foods.
Annie
This sounds (and looks) like an incredible salad, Kristy! I also tend to get into produce ruts - not helped by the fact that the selection in the OK boonies can be very slim - but it's so fun tasting something new and adding it to the "family!"
keepinitkind
You're so right- the family does keep growing. A few years ago, Kale (along with a few other things) and I were total strangers. Now I can't go a week without having some kale in my fridge. 😉
CJ
Your vegan salad is very good, love it 🙂
Melissa
Looks lovely! Would never have thought to put cukes & pears together. That tempeh sounds wonderful, & serves as a reminder that I need to be more adventurous with it!
Cadry
You're on a blackstrap molasses streak the past couple of days! I like it! I know it's good for you and high in iron, but the only place I ever use it is in making chocolate chip cookies. That probably mitigates the nutrient density somewhat... 😉 Anyway, I'm very intrigued to try this tempeh! I like it that it doesn't have to be marinated. That saves time.
It sounds like you've found a marvelous CSA! I've been tempted in the past to go that route, but I really love going to the farmers market twice a week and picking out things for myself. It's something I look forward to. Another great thing about buying from a CSA or the farmers market is that even if you get more than you'd typically buy at the grocery store for weekly use, it's okay because it lasts longer on account of it being so fresh.
Heather
I LOVE my CSA and I too love the fact that there is always a new veggie variation I have yet to try - my favorite part of ebing involved in my CSA is the relationship I have formed with my Farmer and their family 🙂
Asian pears are incredible - I LOVE juicing them for my morning juice - I tried them for the first time last year.
Lemon Cucumbers I have seen and heard about but have yet to try, they sound amazing!
Great Post Kristy, I love the idea of adding a smoky tempeh to the salad- um YUM!
keepinitkind
Ooh! Asian pears in a juice! I love that idea! And yes, you need to give lemon cucumbers a chance- they are just lovely!
Thank you so much, Heather- I'm so glad you liked the post! 🙂