How often do you go to the market for one thing, but end up walking out with more items than what you intended to buy? A few days ago, I went to my local Whole Foods for one thing and came across this gem:
Similar to a CSA box, this local produce share included lettuce, kale, red chard, tomatoes, beets, carrots, zucchini, squash, and cucumbers. Salad in a box! No sifting through items in the produce section! SOLD! (I really hope Whole Foods at Fresh Pond starts to carry these on a regular basis!) This package was a little more than salad in a box though. The fun part about CSA-like boxes is that there may be something unfamiliar in there…like beets.
I don’t know how or why, but I’ve never bought or cooked beets. All you have to do is clean them, and boil for 40-minutes to an hour. Peel, slice, and you’re done – simple! Not wanting to waste anything in this box, I found a recipe in Béatrice Peltre’s book, La Tartine Gourmande, for Beet Quinoa Salad. Beets, quinoa, onion, tomatoes, lemon juice, and a mixture of herbs combine to make a salad bursting with the flavors of summer. (Not to mention completely beautiful to photograph!)