The Veggie Box…Local Freshness in a Box!

A Box of Goodness…The Veggie Box from Farm Fresh

The summer season has officially left and fall is settling in.  As the weather cools, gardens start to perish and fresh, local produce is harder and harder to find.  However, Farm Fresh RI is offering…”The Veggie Box”!  This is a box literally stuffed

with fresh produce from local farmers.  You can pick up your box either weekly or bi-weekly at many different locations.  It is $25.00 per box and is certainly worth the money.  Now you can have fresh seasonal produce all year long!  Each box contains 7-9 different varieties depending on the season.  My first box contained butternut squash, apples, romaine lettuce, cauliflower, potatoes, turnips, corn and onions.  The beauty of this is that is forces you to get your creative culinary juices flowing.  My first creation was an adaptation of a turnip and potato soup.  I will name my version, “Veggie Box Soup!”  Please note that cooking is more of an art form than a science to me, so there are no exact measurements.

Veggie Box Soup

• Potatoes (I used 3)
• Turnips (the little white ones…I used about 8)
• Onions 1.5 large
• A Local Seasonal Beer-  I chose Bucket Brewery’s B.O.G (could be replaced with stock or water)
• Olive Oil
• Fresh Garlic
• Milk (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

1.  Add olive oil to a large pot and cut and saute the onions until translucent.  Chop and add the garlic until fragrant.  Peel and chop the potatoes and turnips as well as the salt and pepper.  Add to the pot and pour in the beer or which ever liquid you choose.  Determine how much soup you would like to make and how thick you want your soup to be, therefore you judge the liquid amount.  I would reserve some liquid for the blending process as well.

2.  Let the soup simmer until the potatoes and turnips are soft (you could also add carrots or squash if you choose).  In batches, blend the soup until smooth.  If you want a creamier look and taste you could add some milk or some other non-dairy item such as almond milk.  Once all is smooth, heat and serve!  Garnish with a green of choice and enjoy!  I say get creative and take your own twist on the Veggie Box Soup…

Order you veggie box here!