A Bountiful Harvest

This week we got our last CSA box of the season. I was really impressed with the variety this year, and, of course, the quality of all the fruits and vegetables we received was superb. It's always bittersweet to get that last box--though it is packed with goodies (some of which can be stored for weeks or months), it's sad to say goodbye to the weekly ritual of picking up the box and discovering all the treasures within. However, this year, we don't have to bid adieu to CSA season just yet--we have signed up for a winter share with another local farm.

Our last box from our summer share didn't disappoint: it was packed with delicious fruits and veggies. Here's the bounty we received:

• 2 winter squash
• 1 sugar pie pumpkin
• 1 pint Sungold tomatoes
• 1# yellow potatoes
• 1# purple potatoes
• 1 bunch golden beets
• 1 # red shallots
• 1 onion
• 1 bunch Lacinato kale
• Fennel
• 1 head butter lettuce
• 2 Asian pears
• 2 Bosc pears
• 2 apples
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Parsley

We had to celebrate this fall harvest by breaking into some delicata squash. Once again, it's VeganYumYum to the rescue, with a lovely squash bisque that was scrumptious (if not as photogenic as her version).We served alongside a fresh salad and a baguette from Lola's South City Bakery. On a very sad note, this lovely family-owned vegetarian bakery will soon be closing its doors. I first discovered it while I was on maternity leave, and found it a cozy and friendly place to hang out when I was feeling a bit cooped up and lonely. The owner, Russ, is a wonderful baker, and the shop is named after his young daughter--it just breaks my heart that they are closing. Brett and I will be heading over there for dinner tonight (I can't wait to have the carmelized onion and walnut pizza again... yum). They are closing at the end of the month, so any Seattleites who haven't been there yet should stop by this week! If it's available, try the fougasse (an herbed bread with caramelized onions and olives, which is usually only available on Fridays and Saturdays)--but there are lots of other goodies to be had, including vegan cookies, homemade ice cream and sorbet, pizzas, and of course baguettes and sandwich loaves. Also note that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Please visit this little South Seattle gem while you still can!