Monday, July 27, 2009

Kohlrabi Radish Slaw & Salmon Fresh From the Market

Everyone knows that for more cost effective grocery shopping, we should all use a list...make up our weekly menus before we go, check for missing items and MAKE A LIST.

I, of course, rarely do that...especially when I go to the Saturday Farmers Market. After all, the whole idea is to be inspired by what just came off the farm. That said, I had recently seen a recipe for kohlrabi and radishes, neither of which I've eaten since I was much younger. Kohlrabi was enjoyed at the home of one of my best friends. Her German heritage often called me to their table (especially the schnitzels) and kohlrabi was used often, and, even though they were so exotic and cool looking to me, they weren't really my favorite, so I never did get any recipes.

Radishes, on the other hand, were my father's favorite part of a salad. We (the kids) didn't appreciate their peppery flavor and juicy crunch back then, so we'd pick out the ones on our plates and hand them over to him. And to be honest, they're still not on the top of my list today either. That said, occasionally, in his honor, I will munch on one or two.

So when I saw this Kohlrabi & Radish Slaw in ...(more about that in a minute), and since they were so gorgeous in all their purple and fuchsia glory at the market, I knew I had to find the perfect accompaniment...and the salmon fillets at Mike's Fish Shop were so plump and....well...salmony, it was a simple choice to make.

I hurried home to discover that ...well...with all the magazines I'd been looking through lately, I couldn't find the one it came from. Finally...after about an hour of rereading my stash of cooking magazines....I know - what a chore! There it was in Fine Cooking Magazine, June/July 2009 and may I thank my girls again for a fantastic birthday present that keeps on giving...a subscription!

But seriously...what's your market strategy?

And two things to remember ...eating local is the best way to go and support your local producers....you're the winner in the end!

Oh...and...the Eat Real Eat Local Project great charity event this Wednesday, July 29th. Hellmann's will be increasing the donation made to Evergreen to one dollar each time someone tags their tips with the term #realfood. This is part of a Summer-long initiative seeing twenty-five cents donated to Evergreen for every use of #realfood (up to a maximum of $25,000 before September 30th). Check it out and do your part.

5 comments:

maybelles mom said...

I have such a hard time making a list for the farmers market, but now I have started to try--because otherwise I find myself not using everything up.

I love both radishes and kohlrabi, so I think i will try this.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have been known to eat a few radishes in my time Ruth.

Ruth Daniels said...

MM - I know what you mean. I so often come back with way more goodies than we can possibly eat. Eyes definitely bigger than stomach.

And BV - this is one tasty slaw.

Joanne said...

I have been trying to eat locally as well, between the Farmer's Market and the local labels on the stuff at Whole Foods. That salmon looks amazing!

I am totally a list person but I look on-line to find out what's in season and so what will most likely appear at my Farmer's Market. Otherwise I would definitely go overboard.

Goody said...

My strategy is to limit myself to $20.00. After it is gone, too bad if I happen upon some wonderful find. It keeps me from going nuts every Saturday. I don't think I could do that at your market-my goodness what wonderful things you grow up there!

I planted far too many radishes this year and found that they take well to pickling with rice vinegar and sesame oil-sort of like cucumbers do. They lose the harshness and you end up with a really nice topping for a sandwich.

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