Courtesy of Zokos.com. Uniquely created for New Roots Organics!
It’s Late August.
Let’s just face it– summer is coming to a close & with it, many of our favorite sweet, fresh, local produce is bidding its farewell. But don’t be sad–party!! Have a picnic! Have a rooftop party! Have a barbeque! Whatever you do, celebrate summer!. You can provide the food, music, and maybe even a party favor. And your guests can chip in a few dollars using Zokos!
What’s In Season: Local Corn, Eggplant, Green Peppers, Gorgeous Mixed Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Cucumbers, Green Leaf Lettuce, Red Chard, Gold Beets with Tops, Local Cantaloupe, Peaches, Dapple Dandy Pluots
Get Grillin’!
Appetizer
TIP! Get Experimental: Cooking seasonally and cooking from recipes often don’t mix. The solution? Toasts, crostinis, and grilled breads! They are the perfect, warm place to get your creative juices flowing and to put your CSA produce to use!
Grilled Bread with Chopped Chard and White Bean Puree: Is there really anything better than grilled bread? When the edges become charred and the inside is still warm and soft…it’s just delicious. It becomes irresistibly delicious when you top it with a white bean and leek puree (that can be made in advance) and garlic-y chopped red chard. Yum!
Main
Honey Glazed Chicken, Peach, and Veggie Skewers: Just like Zokos dinner parties, skewers are a perfect platform to get inspired and have fun! This glaze is a great place to start, but feel free to slide any yummy veggie in your CSA box down those skewers. Instead, of sweet potatoes, reach for the eggplant or carrots in your box! They’re such a delightful, refreshing treat that can be easily customized to your vegetarian or allergy-concerned friend’s preference!
Side
Grilled Corn Salad: Like most veggies, corn is better grilled. It just is! It’s also better with butter, but that’s not healthy. So let’s load this grilled corn salad with cucumbers, peppers, olive oil, and lemon juice to make it super delicious (without making it super high-cholesterol)!
Dessert
TIP! Elevate a Classic: Take a simple recipe that you’re sure is a winner and add a super special ingredient. To grilled cucumbers, add miso paste. To pluots, add brown butter. To granita, do cantaloupe! This will take your fresh, delicious produce to the next level.
Cantaloupe Granita: Granita is a glorified icee or snow cone or whatever you call it! It’s basically just a dinner party host’s dream dessert–it sounds super fancy, but it’s ridiculously easy and delicious. Plus, you make it ahead of time! It is just the perfect ending to a hot, smoky, grill-fueled dinner party.
