Embracing the Unexpected
I’ll never forget the day I opened my Thornappple CSA box and found a peculiar-looking vegetable staring back at me. It was knobby and twisted, with a deep purple hue that I didn’t recognize. “What on earth is this?” I exclaimed, turning it over in my hands, puzzled.
As a fairly seasoned CSA subscriber, I should have known by then that the contents of those boxes were always full of surprises. The joy of community-supported agriculture lies in the thrill of the unexpected – the opportunity to discover new flavors, textures, and cooking methods that you might never have encountered otherwise. And this mysterious purple root was about to become the star of one of the most delectable dishes I’d ever created.
Kohlrabi: The Unsung Hero
That curious vegetable turned out to be kohlrabi, a member of the cabbage family with a taste and texture all its own. With its mild, slightly sweet flavor and crunchy, juicy interior, kohlrabi is a remarkably versatile ingredient that deserves far more attention than it typically receives.
I’ll admit, my first instinct was to simply peel and slice the kohlrabi, tossing it into a salad with some lemon juice and olive oil. And that was certainly delicious. But as I dove deeper into researching this underappreciated veggie, I discovered a world of culinary possibilities that I never could have imagined.
Kohlrabi, Corn, and Chorizo: An Unexpected Trio
One day, as I was pondering how to best showcase the kohlrabi in my latest CSA haul, I had a flash of inspiration. Why not pair it with another seasonal star – fresh corn? And to add a savory, spicy kick, I decided to incorporate some crumbled chorizo as well.
The result was nothing short of revelatory. The cool, crunchy kohlrabi provided the perfect foil for the sweet, juicy corn kernels, while the bold, smoky chorizo tied it all together in a harmonious dance of flavors and textures. I couldn’t believe I had never thought to combine these ingredients before.
Roasting the kohlrabi in the oven until it was just slightly softened, but still maintained its signature crunch, was the key. I then sautéed the corn and chorizo together until the flavors had melded, and tossed it all with a simple vinaigrette made from the best vegetable cookbooks I could find.
The result was a dish that was simultaneously refreshing and satisfying, with each ingredient playing a vital role in the overall flavor profile. It was the kind of meal that left me wondering why I hadn’t discovered this magical kohlrabi-corn-chorizo combination sooner.
The Versatility of Kohlrabi
As I continued to experiment with kohlrabi, I was continually amazed by its sheer versatility. It can be roasted, sautéed, or even enjoyed raw, lending its unique texture and flavor to a wide range of dishes.
One of my favorite ways to showcase kohlrabi is in a creamy, dreamy soup. I’ll sauté the kohlrabi alongside onions, garlic, and a touch of thyme, then purée it all together with some vegetable broth and a splash of heavy cream. The result is a silky, velvety soup that’s perfect for a cozy autumn evening.
And let’s not forget about kohlrabi’s potential as a pizza topping. I’ve been known to thinly slice the veggie and scatter it across the top of a pie, along with some crumbled feta, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. The kohlrabi adds a delightful crunch and a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the other toppings.
Embracing the Unfamiliar
As I’ve delved deeper into the world of community-supported agriculture, I’ve come to cherish the opportunity to explore these unexpected, unfamiliar ingredients. It’s a chance to step outside of my culinary comfort zone and discover new flavors, textures, and cooking methods that I might never have encountered otherwise.
And kohlrabi is just the tip of the iceberg. From the delicate, lacy leaves of bok choy to the vibrant, earthy notes of rutabaga, each CSA box presents a new adventure, a chance to expand my culinary horizons and push the boundaries of what I thought possible in the kitchen.
Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected
As I reflect on my journey with kohlrabi and other CSA surprises, I’m reminded of the wise words of a dear friend, who once told me, “The best recipes are often born out of necessity, when you’re forced to work with what you have on hand.”
Indeed, it is in those moments of culinary serendipity, when we’re faced with unfamiliar ingredients and challenged to think outside the box, that we often discover our most inspired and delectable creations. And for that, I am grateful for the unpredictable bounty of my Thornappple CSA box.
So the next time you open your CSA delivery and find yourself confronted with a peculiar-looking vegetable, don’t be daunted. Embrace the unexpected, let your creativity run wild, and prepare to be delighted by the culinary magic that can unfold when you venture beyond the familiar. After all, that’s where the true joy of community-supported agriculture lies.
